special information for pet stores and fish aquarium owners
While chloramines are safe for most pets, chloramines must be removed from tap water used for aquatic life in aquariums and ponds.
What does this mean for aquarium and pond owners?
Chloraminated water is superior to state and federal drinking water
standards, but chloramines are harmful to fish when they directly enter the
bloodstream. Since fish and other aquatic animals take chloramines directly
from the water into their bloodstreams through their gills, chloramines,
like chlorine, must be removed from water used for keeping live fish and
other aquatic life.
What types of aquatic life do chloramines affect?
Chloramines, like chlorine, will kill both salt and fresh water fish and
other aquatic life including Koi fish, lobster, shrimp, frogs, turtles,
snails, clams and live coral. Chloramines, therefore, like chlorine, must be
removed before using tap water in your fresh or salt-water aquarium or pond.