Chloraminated water can harm fish and amphibians, such as turtles and frogs.
To protect fish and amphibians, remove chloramine from the water with
inexpensive water treatment products (drops or tablets) or specified carbon
filters. These products are readily available at most pet supply stores
and aquarium dealers.
How are fish, amphibians and reptiles affected?
Chloraminated water passes through gills, directly entering the
fish, amphibian and reptile bloodstream. Chloramine must be removed as it
binds to iron in red blood cell hemoglobin, causing reduced cell capacity to
carry oxygen. However, chloraminated water is safe for people and animals
to drink as it is neutralized by the digestive process. It is also safe to
cook with, bathe in, and for other general uses.
How do I prepare for chloramine?
Just like chlorine, chloramine will need to be removed from water for fish,
amphibian and reptile use. The products listed below are available at fish
and pet supply stores. Aquarium or pond supply professionals, published
materials and pet owners recommend the following:
- Treatment products (drops or tablets) that remove both ammonia and
chlorine
- Biological filter (for ammonia) and chemical agent (for chlorine)
It has been reported high quality activated filtration and reverse osmosis
remove chloramine under optimum conditions, but must be closely monitored to
ensure their effectiveness.
Will boiling remove chloramine?
Chloramine cannot be removed by boiling water, adding salt, or letting water
stand in an open container to dissipate the chloramine.
How can I test my water?
Aquarium owners will want to test their water for ammonia concentrations in
addition to chlorine. A test kit with the correct active agent for ammonia
can be helpful for monitoring. Two basic kits are available, and should be
selectively used:
- Nessler reagent. This kit will give a faster reading, but
will also give a false reading if ammonia binders have been used.
- Salicylate reagent. This kit provides an accurate reading
when ammonia binders have been used.
Any tips for aquarium owners?
Chloramine is toxic to both fresh and salt water fish. Drinking water used
with artificial sea salts for makeup water in salt water fish tanks must have
the ammonia and chlorine removed first.
How will chloramine affect ponds?
Chloramine should ideally be removed from water before being added to a pond.
The San Diego Koi Club suggests the following guidelines from their experience:
- If less than one percent of the total water volume of your system is replaced
at any one time, the pond should absorb new chloraminated water with little to
no impact on fish.
- If one to ten percent of pond water volume is replaced, sodium thiosulfate
and a biological filter effectively remove chloramine.
- If more than ten percent pond water volume is replaced, an ammonia binder is
needed.
Need more information?
The following web sites are resources for fish and amphibian-related
information:
http://www.sfaquarium.org
http://www.sfbakc.org
http://www.koiclubsandiego.org
http://www.aquariacentral.com
