BAS Tip
Check your tap water for pH and heavy
metals during water shortages.
(March 2002 page20)
Al Miccio BAS
| I have been monitoring pH values of tap water for use in my
aquariums and lab., and I’ve found it to be at 7.3 at a temperature
of 70°F as of 3/21/02. It’s no big deal, but since the water levels are low in the upstate reservoirs, I believe the water may contain higher levels of trace elements than usual. In past years my tap water pH in the summer has been coming in between 6.9 to 7.0 on a bi-weekly basis. It might be a good idea to check your water and if nessary use a water softener pillow when doing water changes, because the water may contain higher levels of heavy metals, besides just calcium and magnesium. I take my reading with a Pin Point pH monitor which is accurate to a 0.01 of a pH value. At present I do not do a hardness check, because I keep soft water aquariums, and in the past it was not necessary.However, now with an accuite water shortage, a possibility I might set up some equipment to do the testing. In any event my guess is that the hardness levels may be high also. |