.
of salinity, while hardness and acidity are fixed characteristics of
any given
water supply area. Information on this last point is generally
freely available from the relevant area water authority.
‘
The main points of interest to the aquarist in the water analysis
of his own local supply are the hardness and acidity values. Even if
he‘ never intends to
the water, he should kn0w what its
.
_
characteristics are. Furthermore, if he can conne his activities to
_'
envirOMentswhich suit the local. water he will be Saved a great deal
of trouble. This is not as limiting as it sounds as almost all common
,
freshwater aquarium fish liv'e happily in mature tap water of most
\
kinds, provided that other environmental conditions are correct.
Less common fishes will, hoWever, often require water of a particular
type. Tap water used in a marine, environment is so altered by the
‘
inclusion of the necessary
salts that its initial _characteristicsare of
_
-
little
In all waters
hardness and acidity values usually
\
run
together, that is a water will be hard and alkaline or soft and
’
_
\Table 1.
‘
COMMONLY
AVAILABLE
WATERS AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS.
Type
Characteristics
Disadvantages &”Methods of use
Tap water
Hardness and acidity vary
Too ‘new’ for immediate use as
;
"
with geographical area of
it contains dissolv€d chlorine.
_
_
supply. Clean and well
Dilute With mature water or allow ,
“
.
oxygenated.
_
_
a maturing period. Maycarry
copper from pipework.
_
_
Rain water
_
Soft
'
May be polhited by Chemicals frôm_
‘
Basically clean.
-
'
the air“ or from collecting‘surfaces.
'
,
Well oxygenated.
No maturing period needed. ,
‘
Natural
‘
Hardness and acidity vary
‘
Maybe ‘pô‘lluted by
or
Fresh water
withge0graphieal'aææ… … .:.
other Chemicals or by'otgaic
lr:efuse__—May contain parasites and
-
…
,
life.
disease organisms. Usually
:
Natural
Stable characteristics Which Usually polh‘1ted when collected
_
Sëàlwater
not vary much geo—_
ardund coast‘line. Microscopie life ”
‘
‘
‘
'
-Ï'
graphically. Contains
dies quickly in small containers and*
_
various organisms and
can foul water. May
"
microscopic life. Usually
organisms.
‘
_,
’
well oxygenated.
_
.
Artificial
Stable characteristics in
Must be properly mixed and will
"
Salt water
right proportions when
need maturing period. Exp ensive
‘
-
4
correctly made up. Clean
in quantity. Some trace elements ‘
«
-
,
_
and pure when made up
may be missing.
Wlth good tap water—
»
_
-
,
.
—
D18t111€dC18anand pure,
_
_
Too pure for biological life when
.
f
Sft ndnutr1
…
'…
new — used to mix withother‘
;
»
'
.
w
"
"
waters as neutraliSer.
'
.