Re: [compost_tea] Re: Chloramines

From: Stuart Baxter <stu.baxter_at_virgin.net>
Date: Fri, 7 Nov 2003 16:22:38 -0000

Thought this, found on an aquarium site, may be of interest to some, especi=
ally the sodium th.....thi......, the traditional dechlorinators <smile>.

"Chlorine can be removed fairly easily in a number of ways. One method is t=
o simply allow the water to stand for about 24 hours (preferably with aerat=
ion) until it evaporates. There are also several brands of commercial de-ch=
lorinators available, based on sodium thiosulphate, which neutralise the ch=
lorine. Some of these water conditioners contain extra ingredients to bind =
toxic heavy metals or add a protective slime layer to the fish.

Chloramine is a more persistant chemical, and some water authorities use it=
 because of its greater stability. If you know or suspect that the water au=
thority in your area uses chloramine, check that your dechlorinator product=
 removes it. Chloramine is a compound of chlorine and ammonia, which is mor=
e stable than chlorine alone. Traditional dechlorinators, based on sodium t=
hiosulphate, will neutralise the chlorine part, but this releases the ammon=
ia. With a large percentage water change, this could be dangerous or stress=
ful for the fish, as the bio-filtration will need time to convert the ammon=
ia. The solution is a product which deals with the chlorine part and also c=
onverts the ammonia into a non-toxic form.

Filtration through activated carbon will also remove chlorine and chloramin=
e - if this method is used it should be done in a separate container for at=
 least 24 hours, before the water is added to the tank."

Be well

Stuart

  ----- Original Message -----
  From: tomjasz
  To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
  Sent: Monday, October 06, 2003 6:38 PM
  Subject: [compost_tea] Re: Chloramines


  --- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com, "Karl Miller" <larklabel_at_k...>
  wrote:
> It's lurker time. I think we need a chemist here. Some people are
  talking
> about CHLORINE, others are talking about CHLORAMINE. Is there a
  difference
> and what is it? You can get rid of chlorine easily, chloramine is
  difficult?
> Karl Miller
>

  Pretty simple Karl, there are two basic methods of treating water in
  common use. Chlorine and chloramine. Chloramine is a form of
  disinfectant produced by combining chlorine with ammonia. Chloramines
  are persistent, meaning they are difficult to remove by aeration.
  Many water district web sites are indicating chloramine can last
  several weeks in standing water.

  The key here is TESTING. Your levels MAY NOT be as high as some
  experience.

  Here is another repeat post....

  Biocidal Efficiency (best to worst)

  ozone > chlorine dioxide > free chlorine > chloramines

  Stability (best to worst)

  chloramines > chlorine dioxide > free chlorine > ozone

  Chloramines are typically generated on-site by the addition of
  ammonia (NH3) to water containing free C12 (HOCl or OCl depending
  upon the pH of the water). The optimum reaction pH is on the alkaline
  side, pH 8.4 (i.e., NH3 (aq) + HOCI « NH2Cl + H2O) Three forms of
  chloramine can result as well as undesirable but unavoidable
  interference reactions.

  Distillation or evaporation does not effectively remove chloramines.

  Activated Carbon (AC) is proven to reduce chloramine presence from 1
  to 2 ppm to less than 0.1 ppm (a USP WFI requirement).






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Received on Fri Nov 07 2003 - 13:56:43 EST

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