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Chemistry Forums for Students => High School Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: cuongt on August 06, 2006, 03:49:43 AM

Title: is it bad to mix rain water with tap water?
Post by: cuongt on August 06, 2006, 03:49:43 AM
is it bad to mix rain water with tap water? if so why is it bad or why isnt it bad  ??? hell confused.

thanx in advance
Title: Re: mixing water
Post by: Borek on August 06, 2006, 04:18:19 AM
Define 'bad'. What kind of application you have on mind? Tap water is much harder, rain water is very soft, that's the main difference between both.
Title: Re: is it bad to mix rain water with tap water?
Post by: Mitch on August 06, 2006, 04:33:27 AM
pH is most likely different as well.
Title: Re: is it bad to mix rain water with tap water?
Post by: cuongt on August 06, 2006, 04:47:49 AM
well bad is like cause the teacher says if you mix these two together the water will get decontaminated( dirty) unlivable for fish.
Title: Re: is it bad to mix rain water with tap water?
Post by: Mitch on August 06, 2006, 05:03:01 AM
Then how do fish and animals live after it rains? The oceans, lakes and rivers still have fish last I checked.
Title: Re: is it bad to mix rain water with tap water?
Post by: cuongt on August 06, 2006, 05:09:21 AM
i dunno lol thats wat he told me. as in fish at home you look after. he said that if theyre mix theyll contaminate the water. ill ask him again 2morow  :D thanx 4 the quick replies
Title: Re: is it bad to mix rain water with tap water?
Post by: Borek on August 06, 2006, 05:12:22 AM
Tap water is often chlorinated (well, it depends on country) and thus unsuitable for fish. You have to leave it in an open tank for several days before filling aquarium.
Title: Re: is it bad to mix rain water with tap water?
Post by: cuongt on August 06, 2006, 05:18:21 AM
yep here in aus its very chlorinated  :Dlol ummm is there ammonia in tap water or any other substances? im from australia  :D
Title: Re: is it bad to mix rain water with tap water?
Post by: Will on August 06, 2006, 10:48:45 AM
Quote from: cuongt on August 06, 2006, 05:18:21 AM
is there ammonia in tap water or any other substances?

They may add ammonia and chloine/hypochlorite to make the disinfectant chloramine, or jast add chloramine direct to tap water. This is also dangerous to fish, but cannot be removed by leaving the water in an open tank for a few days, you apparently remove it by adding Na2S2O5.

Also ClO2 may be added to your tap water, there is a small list of disinfectants used here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_purification) about two thirds down the page. There are other chemicals used in the water purification process that you might want to look at.
Title: Re: is it bad to mix rain water with tap water?
Post by: lemonoman on August 06, 2006, 09:52:23 PM
Don't forget fluorination, in some countries too, to aid with dental care
Title: Re: is it bad to mix rain water with tap water?
Post by: Will on August 06, 2006, 10:02:09 PM
Quote from: lemonoman on August 06, 2006, 09:52:23 PM
Don't forget fluorination, in some countries too, to aid with dental care

Yeah I was reading about that too, it is in the link. The chemical they use normally is fluorosilicic acid or dihydrogen (or sodium) hexafluorosilicate or (rarely) sodium fluoride (I think it is called fluoridation, not fluorination :P). They normally use sodium fluoride (and rarely sodium monofluorophosphate) in toothpaste, thought I might as well mention it. ;D
Title: Re: is it bad to mix rain water with tap water?
Post by: cuongt on August 07, 2006, 02:39:14 AM
cheers guys thanx for all da help  :D