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Denver, CO

Can we use Sodium Thiosulphate, a common checmical used with fish tanks, to de-chlorinate our water before making tea.

Right now, I am running my air pump in 20 gallons of water for 24 hours before making the tea. I hate adding that time to another 24 hours of brewing. It's a long process and its harder on the pump for sure.

Any other effective ways to de-chlorinate? How long does it take to just let 20 gallons of water sit and naturally de-chlorinate?

Thanks
ghopson427@yahoo.com

8/5/2009 12:33:22 AM

Billerica,Massachusetts

you'd need to know if you have chlorine in your water or chloramine, big difference when it comes to de-chlorination

Glenn

8/5/2009 12:02:40 PM

Denver, CO

We don't have chloramine, just the normal stuff.

8/5/2009 12:10:17 PM

Seattle, WA

For chlorine, why not just run the brewer for an hour or so, I think 24 is overkill. Or just let the water sit out with the lid off for a couple of days.

Another option is ascorbic acid or humic acid. Google "Vita d chlor"

We use their products when we want to brew in a hurry. Takes only a pinch or so to do 100 gallons.

~Tad

8/5/2009 2:27:02 PM

Billerica,Massachusetts

rainwater is chlorine free, i have a 300 gallon tank hooked up to my downspouts.
Glenn

8/5/2009 4:36:42 PM

Fresno, CA

So for just regular watering - is everybody using un-chlorinated or dechlorinated water? I'm starting to use compost tea and I hope to add Myco next year. Is my chlorinated city water going to just nullify my efforts at boosting the soil biology?

8/5/2009 8:22:49 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Picture a fruit fly buzzing around. Now imagine it's impact on the speed attained by a freight train. Kind of a non-issue.

Tad can correct me if I'm wrong but I believe that the impact chlorine has on the biology of a compost tea brewer is probably measurable only at the very beginning of a brew cycle. Eventually chlorine is overwhelmed by bacteria & other biological elements.

In the grand scheme of growing AGs I wouldn't lose any sleep over "soil biology" in the face of chlorinated tap water. There are many other threats to AGs that are more worthy of concern.

8/5/2009 8:49:08 PM

derry n.h u.s.a.

i hooked up a watar filter to my outside hose set up this spring with charcoal filter and extra cartridges, with adaptors it costs about 60.00$ well worth the investment cartridge lasts about 10.000 gallons ,we have clorimine in our town watar was worried i would kill my myco thingies

8/5/2009 10:58:18 PM

Fresno, CA

Thanks for the perspective and technique Tremor and John

8/6/2009 1:45:18 AM

Colorado Springs, CO

Why not fill a 5-gal bucket, or several of them, a few days before you expect to start brewing. The open width of a 5-gal. pail is more than enough to allow sufficient venting of residual chlorine from that water over that time.

One can buy paper test strips (like litmus paper) for relative measure of chlorine presence. Check a large plumbing supply, water treatment or testing lab ad in Yellow Pages.

There's no rush to start brewing too soon after gathering (tap) water. Let it sit for a while !

8/7/2009 12:14:25 AM

Denver, CO

Thanks for the input everyone. Sounds like bubbling off the chlorine is the best method for me right now. I have been going through 60 gallons a week right now, 20 gallons at a time.

As well, I could almost get it done by letting 20 gallons sit for day then make tea for a day then sit for a day and so on.

And I will add humic acid to the water as well.

Thanks!

8/7/2009 12:43:06 PM

Seattle, WA

Humic will take care of it. I wouldn't worry about it too much when it comes to watering, but for the tea it's important to remove it before putting in the compost. WIth the compost tea, you want to maximize your biological growth, hence removing the chlorine is important.

8/9/2009 11:49:17 PM