| Trichloramine and water quality in aquatic enclosures
In a chlorinated system, the chlorine will react with
ammonium to form monochloramine, which is okay. However under acidic
conditions below pH 5, toxic trichloramines will be produced which
will damage the eyes and lungs of the animals. Even if it is a marine
system at pH 8.3 or a freshwater system at pH 7.5, trichloramines will
still be produced. Bacterial will
be growing on every surface in contact with the water ( chlorine does not
kill biofilm), and the greatest surface area is the sand in the sand
filters. The pH of biofilm will be below pH 5 and as such it is
the primary location of trichloramine production. However if you
change the sand for AFM, you effectively eliminate the biofilm and
trichloramines. The difference to water quality is huge.
In addition to AFM it is recommended that you use
flocculation prior to filtration with NoPhos. The combination of AFM and
NoPhos will reduce your chemical consumption by at least 80%. |
