DIY tap water filter?

[Stella]

We use filtered water in our tank, but traipsing out to wet pets every time we need to do a water change is a hassle (and can be bad for the bank ballance

I would like to have a home water filter, but they are rather expensive.

Looking on trademe you can get the filter cartridges new fairly cheaply. This got me wondering what the 'container' part of the filter actually does?

Why not just get a cartridge and DIY it into some pvc pipes with a couple of end caps and appropriate hose connections?

(Bear in mind I have never had a close look at a filter cartridge)

Thanks,

Stella

[alanmin4304]

Why do you use filtered water and what is it that you are trying to filter from the water?

[Stella]

Good question!

I live in palmy and have been warned multiple times about the local water with fish. Both by Wet Pets and people who have used tap water fine for ages, then done a water change at the wrong moment and killed all their fish.

Apparently the council put a higher dose of copper and chlorine through the system every now and then, when they see fit.

Since we have a crayfish, snails and HOPEFULLY still have a shrimp (he dissapears for days, due to being transparent!), keeping the copper out is important.

Stella

[Tanksman]

I would say if you could rig up a container that could be filled with activated carbon so that the water flows though it but the carbon is retained in the container it will be a great homemade water filter. The carbon would need to be replaced probably evry 6 months. I'm sure you could find some designs on google.

[LYNDYLOO]

Hi there,

I also use filtered water in my 4ft Comm Tank, I have a water filter inline in the garden hose, works wonders, on one end of the water filter cartridge I have a piece of hose with a joiner on it, this is plugged into the garden hose when I do a water change, on the other end I have a piece of hose which has a piece of aluminium which is bent into the shape of a hook, this end is then placed over the back of my tank and the hose turned on, excellent set up.

Maybe you could try something like this, the cartridge is a carbon filter.

Good Luck

Lynda

[alanmin4304]

I see no reason why the Council would add copper to the water supply. Are you sure they do, or is the pet shop selling you water and making a good profit? There are many different filters out there and most would be useless unless you had a particular filter to do a particular job.

[suphew]

I dont think any standard type filters will remove copper, not sure if even an RO/DI filter would do it with-out having some sort of copper absorbing resin. HAve you considered collecting rain water? It is very soft so would depend on what type of fish you have have but might be ok.

[dee_jay_01]

you could also use irrigation filters, they are cheap ($10ish) and effective, and they can be modified with carbon inside as well. I have used and modified these for outdoor ponds etc.

[Stella]

Alan,

There is a interesting discussion here about the palmy water:http://www.fnzas.org.nz/fishroom/water-water-water-vt155.html The most useful post is abbrieviated here:

"I have been in palmy for about 4 years now with fish and originally i used wet pets water (when i had a 40 litre tank) now that has grown and then some and i don't want to haul hundreds of litres from them.

I originally used straight tap water with aquaplus or stresscoat/zyme that was ok but every now and thien i noticed the fish weren't too happy.

Sad to say that one day i was doing the above and within 2-3 days 80% of my tank was gone (hundreds of dollars of fish). i thought it was a bit odd but after experienting and researching I gave in and rang the council to see if they had done any thing different.

THEY HAD! they said that they "every now and then" add extra chorline and copper and to my discussed that is why all my fishes skin had "burn't" off (not nice)."

I have heard a similar tale of woe from a friend.

'Technically' Wet Pets charge for water, but the tap is outside and I would be surprised if many do.

Stella

[alanmin4304]

I am not doubting there is a problem. I have spent years dealing with water supplies and know of no local authority that adds copper, or any reason why they would, that is why I asked. It is important to know what the problem is before you treat it. The symptoms you describe seem more like a problem with elevated chlorine levals.

[alanmin4304]

The point I am trying to make is that there are many types of filters available but they are all useless unless you know what the problem is. You are entitled to the information on the source and treatment of your water supply from the Council under the freedom of information Act. There are often many urban myths about water supplies.