The Puffer Forum

So have received a letter from my town in regards to the water supply. The water in my area has reportedly double the accepted levels of Trihalomethanes ( TTHMs) and Haloacetic Acids (HAA5s). Is this something I am right be be concerned about? The letter says that it should not be an issue unless a person has a compromised immune system, is pregnant, or is an infant. I cannot setup an ro/di system where I currently am and am wondering if there are additional precautions I should be taking for my puffs.

Only thing I could think of is buying some bottled R O water / distilled and cutting your tap water by 50 percent to bring the high levels to normal and add a little of seachem prime or safe to help remove anything else that can be a problem in the water
you might need to remineralize the water depending on your tap water levels consider a half needed dose of discus mineral buffer sorry can't remember the exact name of the product
good luck

It's possible that your dechlorinator would deal with them since they will be formed from the chlorination process, I would try contacting your manufacturer to find out. If you do contact them I would be grateful if you would post the answer you get.

I unfortunately do not have the space to add on RO/DI system. I have been double dosing prime for all of my water changes. I know i scanned the notice into my email ill have to dig it up. Ill try contacting seachem and ask if this is something prime takes care of. Luckily all has been well in my tanks all of my fish, plants, and corals are doing great.

Just doing a quick google search...
http://cfpub.epa.gov/si/si_public_recor ... ryID=29716
"For trihalomethane removal, aeration - either by diffused-air or with towers - and adsorption - either by powdered activated carbon or granular activated carbon - is effective."

From the sound of it you may be able to lower the trihalomethane by filtering through activated carbon.

Did the water company offer any suggestions at all? or did they just say it is high?

No recommendations what so ever. It was just implied that if you were immune compromised, pregant, or an infant that the water was not safe to drink. I can see what i can do to add carbon to my circulation pumps for my wc barrels.

I'm gonna send RTR an email about this & see what he says.

Pre-filtration with GAC should help and may clear the issues. Have you contacted the local supply folks directly by phone? They may be able to offer options best suited to your individual area and your individual requirements. Local US water companies IME tend to be very responsive to their clients' needs and issues. HTH

I have not contacted them yet. I will do this when i get home. As far as the GAC goes has are there media basket option available to add onto a pump, a diy option, or am i better off trying to get a small canister and load with GAC. Once i have spoken with my water company i may look into the cost associated with running carbon on my house water supply. I have a home water filter now but i believe this is just a sediment cartridge.

RTR's response:

In this country at least, most local water companies are quite responsive to their clients and can offer optimum or at least practical water solutions. But part of it may be that I can speak their language.