A Couple of Quick Or Not So Quick Tests
Hi Steven,
While the water testing might help determine how honest your water supplier is. Given the changing nature of the water supply, I suspect the US$ 55.00 might be better spent on treatment. :gw
If water is the cause of the problem with HC, my guess is that heavy metals are the most likely cause.
The good news is that removing metals is relatively easy.
The question about how water looks, smells and tastes are not frivolous, as folks here seem to think. The tasting part is only when the source is known to be safe. Even water that is perfectly fine to drink will have certain smells and tastes associated. Certainly, our aquariums have distinct smells that can tell us much about the health of our systems.
Pour or run a little water on your clean hands, how does it feel? (Slick, sticky, gritty odd, whatever.)
If you have lye soap, lard, tallow or vegetable based, coconut oil based lye soap will not work as well, rub the soap perhaps add a little more water, how much lather is produced? Any scum produced?
Fill a clear glass to 4-5 cm from the top, swirl (stir) the water gently, look closely hold it up to a light source, what do you see? Remember that precipitates or a certain amount of turbidity does not necessarily mean the water is bad.
Now swirl (stir) the water vigorously stick your nose in close to the water and breathe deeply, unless you are using high quality distilled water you should be able to pick up some smells, practice does improve your skills. Tap water in many places contains so much chlorine that you must de-chlorinate prior to this test.
Place 100 ml of swirled water in a saucer or shallow dish, porcelain is best if you have it, let the water evaporate, in humid conditions you may speed the evaporation by gently heating, do not boil or really even come close to boiling. If you have, sensitive scales available weighing the saucer before adding the water and after it is completely dry can help. Look closely at the residual material. What color is it? Is there a yellow tint? Are there any distinctly different specks? What color are these specks?
In a small (200 ml is fine) clean clear jar with a secure fitting lid place 2 or3 grams (exact amount is not critical) of table sugar, fill the container to the brim as far as you can without spilling water place the cap on tightly and shake to help dissolve the sugar. Place the jar in a well-lit area for 2 days. Check it every few hours as convenient and note what if anything happens in the jar.
Do you have access to Potassium permanganate?
More later…
Biollante