Question about filtering Rain water

[Aqua sobriquet]

That looks fine Pete.

 

[AquariusPeter]

Hi all,

I decided today after rain to do some NH3/NH4 and NO2 tests for my rainwater. Actually is straight after rain.

It looks like rainwater has quite a lot of ammonia. I am not sure if it is safe to use for aquarium. I know plants like ammonia source better than NO3. I know bacteria will convert it. TDS is 36.

The question is about fish and others?


NO2 Looks like is on very minimal level.



And this is my little filter build from plastic bottle and there is filter floss sponge and activated carbon.

I keep activated carbon all week wet like that and there is some brownish places on bottle walls and on that bag.

Is that sth what I should worry about?

Thank you all for any help,

Kind Regards

Pete

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

I decided today after rain to do some NH3/NH4 and NO2 tests for my rainwater. Actually is straight after rain.
View attachment 228426
It looks like rainwater has quite a lot of ammonia. I am not sure if it is safe to use for aquarium.

Where was the rainwater from? Has it been stored for long.

Cheers Darrel

 

[AquariusPeter]

Hi Darrel,

Hi all,

Where was the rainwater from? Has it been stored for long.

Cheers Darrel

The water is stored in general water butt 210l which i bought from B&Q.
It has been stored about week after last week rains, and today it added some more water after rain. Well I have almost all water butt now.

The water is collected from the roof of my house.

Kind regards,

Thank you

Pete

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

The water is stored in general water butt 210l which i bought from B&Q.
It has been stored about week after last week rains, and today it added some more water after rain. Well I have almost all water butt now.

The water is collected from the roof of my house.

No real way of knowing, but it is more likely to be a false result from the test kit than a real reading, purely because there isn't really a mechanism for producing ammonia.

Cheers Darrel

 

[AquariusPeter]

Hi all,

Hi all,

No real way of knowing, but it is more likely to be a false result from the test kit than a real reading, purely because there isn't really a mechanism for producing ammonia.

Cheers Darrel

I have been thinking about the same. Because last week I did 20 litres of water change plus I did blackout for 3 days and nothing really happened. I know the effects of this might appear withing next weeks.

But just in case I put internal UV filter to filter this water in aeration. Link below ⬇️
https://amzn.eu/d/gfmhObk

I have done in one buckets over 2 hrs and now I put to the other buckets. As I prepared 2x 10l buckets.

So I hope this will help.

And I am not sure why my activated carbon brown, and bottle inside water floss sponge got brownish in some places.

Could it be any slight of signs any metals? Or sth?

Thank you all,

Kind Regards

Pete

 

[PARAGUAY]

You could try dropping a pad of polyester, direct into the water,not as your shown sponge , it should tell you a lot ie metals. As @tam says its expensive to use as a filter media itself in this situation

 

[PARAGUAY]

Polyfilter

 

[AquariusPeter]

Hi all,

You could try dropping a pad of polyester, direct into the water,not as your shown sponge , it should tell you a lot ie metals. As @tam says its expensive to use as a filter media itself in this situation

I have something like at home -link below

Superfish Aquarium Filter Wool White Crystal Clear Fish Tank Water Polishing Pad | eBay

Aquarium Food. Fluval Aquarium External Filter Foam Insert 106 206 306 406 FX6 Sponge GENUINE. Aquarium Filters. Aquarium Lighting. Aberdeen - AB31-AB35; AB41-AB54; Argyll - FK17-FK21; KA28; PA20-PA78; PH30-PH31; PH34-PH44; PH49-PH99; Arran - KA27; Aviemore - PH22; Dundee - PH15-PH18; Fort...

www.ebay.co.uk

Could I use it instead of that sponge?

Cheers

Pete

 

[PARAGUAY]

Maybe it would soon need cleaning because the sponge are good at collecting debris, you could put it under the sponge as last source of filtration. Probably more cost effective to use floss for Ponds Iwould think.
Poly-filter works in a different way ,removing heavy metals, ammonia etc but for aquarium use so a very expensive option for this situation

 

[AquariusPeter]

Hi all,

Maybe it would soon need cleaning because the sponge are good at collecting debris, you could put it under the sponge as last source of filtration. Probably more cost effective to use floss for Ponds Iwould think.
Poly-filter works in a different way ,removing heavy metals, ammonia etc but for aquarium use so a very expensive option for this situation

If you don't mind guys, I have some more questions still.

Have you meant about need cleaning for that sponge what I put inverter on gutter?
Or cleaning the whole water butt?(considering fact my water butt is fresh is in 2nd week)

1. What if I bought polyfilter pads and put inside to that inverter what is mounted on gutter? But what then if we have dry periods what if polypads dry?

2. A: What if that kind of polyfilter/polypads I could use in my 500ml bottle what i put under that bottom tap when I am filling my buckets?

B: Would prefilter bottle filled by polypads media, what I put under bottom tap when I am filling my buckets be enough to prefilter it from any metals? The flow propably would have to be very slow? And the filling buckets would take longer? And again what if I take my prefiltering bottle take home then do I have to keep polypads wet?

3. What, if I could connect under bottom tap the RO system ? Would 210l water butt create enough pressure to push the water through RO system? Then I Keep RO system wet and take home until next time(week) I would refilled my buckets? Or then I could use 15l water storage tanks for example 2 of them to take home and store it to next Water Change?

I have been connecting RO system temporarily on time of Water Change. I know it is possible.
The question is the pressure if will be enought to push water through RO system.

4. Unless I would buy RO system with Pump and then when weather is dry I could temporary connecting to socket plug by cable extensioner? Fill as much water as I want i.e for next 4 weeks of doing Water changes???

For the moment after rain on Saturday my Water butt is full of water. It would be a pity to waste such a lot of water?

What solution could be best in my case scenario?

Thank you all,

Kind Regards,

Pete

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

For the moment after rain on Saturday my Water butt is full of water.

Just use it. It is free, environmentally responsible, naturally distilled water.

I've used rainwater in the tanks since the 1970's, and my opinion (and experience) is that there is less risk involved than using tap water <"If it's yellow, let it mellow and RO is the devil">.

cheers Darrel

 

[Maf 2500]

I would like to know how many rivers and streams there are worldwide which refuse to accept rainwater that has not been filtered?

And there is way more toxic crap coming off roads and fields than there is coming off your roof...

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

I would like to know how many rivers and streams there are worldwide which refuse to accept rainwater that has not been filtered?
And there is way more toxic crap coming off roads and fields than there is coming off your roof...

That is my reasoning.

If you add in the <"Daphnia bioassay">? You have an extra check on water quality <"A Daphnia magna feeding bioassay as a cost effective and ecological relevant sublethal toxicity test for Environmental Risk Assessment of toxic effluents - PubMed">.

@AquariusPeter if you don't have a <"conductivity meter?"> It is worth buying one. They are relatively <"cheap to buy and simple to use">, and even the cheaper meters are accurate.

cheers Darrel

 

[AquariusPeter]

Hi all,

Hi all,

Just use it. It is free, environmentally responsible, naturally distilled water.

I've used rainwater in the tanks since the 1970's, and my opinion (and experience) is that there is less risk involved than using tap water <"If it's yellow, let it mellow and RO is the devil">.

cheers Darrel

Thank you Darrel for your advices.
The only one question I would like to ask and know is, if I can fill 15litres storage like them:

20L LITRE PLASTIC WATER CONTAINER CARRIER FOOD DRUM JERRYCAN JERRICAN | eBay

This 20L plastic water container carrier is perfect for storing and transporting water butts. The item weighs 900g and has a length of 28.5cm, a width of 24cm, and a height of 38cm. This water container carrier is perfect for those who need to transport water butts, and is a great addition to...

www.ebay.co.uk

And store this rainwater at home for the next weeks for water change? I would then automatically release some space/in my water butt for next rain to come

I would like to know how many rivers and streams there are worldwide which refuse to accept rainwater that has not been filtered?

And there is way more toxic crap coming off roads and fields than there is coming off your roof...

That is why I prefer 100x times to ask if I am not sure about the things. I prefer to ask before I add rainwater to my tank and by accident kill anything by my mistake.

Hi all,

That is my reasoning.

If you add in the <"Daphnia bioassay">? You have an extra check on water quality <"A Daphnia magna feeding bioassay as a cost effective and ecological relevant sublethal toxicity test for Environmental Risk Assessment of toxic effluents - PubMed">.

@AquariusPeter if you don't have a <"conductivity meter?"> It is worth buying one. They are relatively <"cheap to buy and simple to use">, and even the cheaper meters are accurate.

cheers Darrel

If conductivity meter is that device indicating TDS then yes I have that device bought on amazon. I had to first calibrate in special solution.

When I was buying RO from the shop I always check the TDS which indicate 0.

I mentioned in my posts above about my rain water TDS is 38.

Except of that I measured API TESTS:

KH =2
GH= 3

But then after refilling buckets 🪣 next day TDS is increased and is about 65-68. This is because propably i have been using in these buckets all the time normal tap water for my water changes.

I am thinking now if should I buy minerals, or just mineralise it slightly with tap water.

I could put some Daphnia to my 210l water butt. Lid on this water butt is not sealed it has got some little holes so I believe with the time there will be something flies on water surface.

But with Daphnia would something new, I have never done it.

Thank you all

 

[Oldguy]

My experience of filtering rain water over several years is to collect water from a tiled garage roof into a 'B&Q' large rain water butt via a large plastic plant pot with a lip that fitted snuggly into the top of the but.
First few years this was filled with plastic scouring pads, over time they started to disintegrate. They were them replaced with inert stone chippings from a local builders merchants, cheaper than a garden centre. Wife uses them on some of her flower beds and we bought a cubic metre builder's bag of the stuff. The only maintenance I now do is to periodically remove tree leaves and silver birch seeds from the top of the gravel filter. Fine stuff settles in the bottom of the butt as sediment. Every 2 to 3 years I hose the butt out. No problems to date. I have a second butt of rain water pumped from the collecting butt just in case of dry weather, fat chance.
I re-mineralise with tap water and nutrient salts. I run a rich water column over an inert substrate. If you have strong plant growth you are most unlikely to have algae. Stopped testing water decades ago.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

The only one question I would like to ask and know is, if I can fill 15litres storage like them:

<"You can">, ideally in a cool, <"dark space">, but it doesn't really matter if you don't have one available.

And store this rainwater at home for the next weeks for water change? I would then automatically release some space/in my water butt for next rain to come

Storage is really the issue, <"I have five water butts">, and ~1000 litres of storage, but I could still do with more.

If conductivity meter is that device indicating TDS then yes I have that device bought on amazon. I had to first calibrate in special solution. When I was buying RO from the shop I always check the TDS which indicate 0. I mentioned in my posts above about my rain water TDS is 38.

Perfect, that is ~ 70 microS conductivity and <"few ions of any description">. I just use conductivity, but for ppm TDS ideally you want <"0.64 as the conversion factor">, rather than 0.5.

I am thinking now if should I buy minerals, or just mineralise it slightly with tap water.

I <"use tap water">, but you can use a <"remineralising salt"> - <"James' Planted Tank - Re-mineralising RO Water">.

cheers Darrel

 

[Aqua sobriquet]

I store rainwater in a variety of different size containers but try to ensure it’s kept in a dark place to prevent algae growing in them.
These are pretty handy for storing the containers.

 

[AquariusPeter]

Good evening all,

Storage is really the issue, <"I have five water butts">, and ~1000 litres of storage, but I could still do with more

Hopefully on 125l tank this water butt will be enough. I will be storing some water in the15lires tanks at home for the next weeks water change.

I <"use tap water">, but you can use a <"remineralising salt"> - <"James' Planted Tank - Re-mineralising RO Water">.

I think the nature itself is the best so first to not spend money I will try to mineralise with my Tap water. I only will have to figure it out the proportions.

Thank you, for all your advices.

I store rainwater in a variety of different size containers but try to ensure it’s kept in a dark place to prevent algae growing in them.
These are pretty handy for storing the containers.

View attachment 228544

The are nice but 150L but they would be a bit too big, and I couldn't find place for them.

I can only store in these storage water tanks 15L in the dark where is my little storage room under stairs. I could stack up to 4 or 5x 15L.
It would be enough for the next 3 weeks for water change. And at the same time there would some more volume in water butt for next rain to come to refill it more.

Thank you a lot to you all,

Kind Regards,

Pete

 

[Aqua sobriquet]

B&Q sell these in a variety of sizes, this just happens to be the biggest. Mine lives out in the garden outside my shed.

Edit: Some of the other sizes.

Wham Bam Heavy Duty Storage Boxes

Wham Bam recycled heavy duty storage boxes for garage, shed and loft storage.

www.plasticboxshop.co.uk