Re: Chlorine

Title: Re: Chlorine
e to my orchids and other plants. (Lots of chlorine in my village
water). I recently got a couple fish and some stuff for their water
called "Start Right" which claims to remove chlorine and chloramine from
tap water. I have no idea what's in this product; the label says
nothing.
   Two questions: 1.- Does anyone know what's in this product that
eliminates chlorine and chloramine?
2.- Do you suppose this would render my tap water fit for plant
watering?
Thanks
Pat


Pat,

The most common ingredient in chlorine removal agents is sodium thiosulphate ("hypo" for those amateur photographers out there).  Just be aware that it does not actually remove chlorine and chloramine, but changes their form to something regarded as less toxic.  For those of you chemically inclined, it does so by the follow reaction:

Na2S2O3 + 8CL + 5H2O ---> 2NaHSO4 + 8HCL &
Na2S2O3 + 2HCL ---> 2NaCL + H2O + S + S02

Evidently, this does not seem to bother most fish, but you will note that elemental chlorine is changed into sodium chloride and you are also left with residual sulphates.  This could be of concern if you are worried about adding extra salts to your plants, and non-nutritive salts at that.  Personally, I would not routinely use chlorine removal products for my plants.





--
Don Martinson
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Mailto:llmen@wi.rr.com

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