If you're concerned about chlorine levels in your drinking water, aquarium, or garden, there are some quick and easy ways to get rid of it. Natural methods like boiling or steaming water work for small amounts of water. However, if the volume of water is large enough, you will need to use additional substances. It's also a good idea to purchase a filtration system to get rid of the chlorine and save time.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Dechlorinating Aquarium or Pond Water
Step 1. Install an aeration sprayer on the fish pond
If you want to dechlorinate pool water, use a sprayer (such as a nozzle with a nozzle) to add air to the water entering the pool. Chlorine is a volatile substance and goes away on its own in open ponds, but aeration will speed up this process.
Aeration does not work for chloramine, which is not as volatile as chlorine. For that, you need a dechlorinating agent
Step 2. Mix the dechlorinating agent to get rid of the chlorine and chloramines
You can buy both at a pet store. Read the user manual carefully because the amount of water each dechlorinating agent can process varies. Mixing the dechlorinating agent is done by opening the bottle cap, turning the bottle upside down, and pouring the contents into the water according to the specified dose.
- The water can be reused immediately.
- If you are using water in a pond with a biological filter, choose a dechlorinating agent that does not have an ammonia remover as this will cause problems in the filter.
Step 3. Aerate the aquarium using a water pump
Water that will be put into the aquarium tank must be dechlorinated first, but aeration will help to get rid of the chlorine in the water. Aquariums usually have a pump to cycle the water so you can aerate and get rid of the chlorine in the tank in one go.
Purchase the right pump according to the size and type of aquarium tank, as well as the type of animal to be kept in the tank
Method 2 of 3: Dechlorinating Drinking Water
Step 1. Use an activated charcoal filter to dechlorinate drinking water
Activated charcoal is a special filter medium that removes chlorine, chloramines and organic compounds from water. Some charcoal filters can be connected to your home's water supply, or you can purchase a filter pitcher filled with activated charcoal.
- Activated charcoal filters remove chlorine and chloramines from the water.
- Choose an activated charcoal filter that has SNI standards to ensure adequate quality.
Step 2. Install a reverse osmosis filter at home
Reverse osmosis is the process of removing ions and particles from water. The reverse osmosis system can be installed directly at the kitchen sink or the point where water enters the home, making the dechlorination process easier. However, this method is also expensive.
In addition, reverse osmosis filters use a lot of energy and produce large amounts of wastewater
Step 3. Replace the filter as needed
All filters must eventually be replaced. The frequency of filter replacement depends on the size and number of uses of the filter. Read the user manual for the recommended filter replacement frequency by the manufacturer.
Step 4. Boil chlorinated water for 20 minutes
Boiling generates heat and aeration (via bubbles), which is good for removing volatile chlorine after 20 minutes. However, if you want to dechlorinate a large amount of water, this method is not efficient.
Boil the water for at least 20 minutes to get rid of the chloramine, which is sometimes present in the water
Method 3 of 3: Dechlorinating Water for Daily Use
Step 1. Let the chlorine evaporate naturally
Fill a bucket or tub with the water you want to dechlorinate. Do not cover the container, and place it in an area where the air does not contain a lot of particles or dust to prevent contamination. Over time, the chlorine in the water will dissipate due to exposure to sunlight and air.
- The exact time this method takes to dechlorinate water depends on the volume of chlorine contained in the water and the amount of sunlight shining on the water. In addition, the dechlorination process will be faster if you use a wide, shallow container.
- Check the water regularly using a chlorine test kit to determine the amount of chlorine remaining in the water.
- Evaporation does not remove chloramine, which is used as a substitute for chlorine in water. Chloramined water should also not be drunk because it is easily contaminated.
Step 2. Mix 1 teaspoon of ascorbic acid per 4 liters of water
Ascorbic acid powder (aka vitamin C) can neutralize chlorine. This method is great for dechlorinating water used for watering plants or hydroponic systems.
- You can buy ascorbic acid at an affordable price at pet stores.
- Ascorbic acid removes chlorine and chloramines. If used in drinking water, this method should be tasteless.
Step 3. Use an ultraviolet lamp to dechlorinate the water
Place the water you want to dechlorinate as close to the ultraviolet light source as possible. The amount of UV light required depends on the volume of cold dechlorinated water, the power of the lamp used, and the presence of organic chemicals in the water.
- Typically, chlorinated water is treated using a UV lamp with a wavelength of 254 nanometers which has an energy radiation density of 600 ml per 1 square cm.
- The UV lamp will remove chlorine and chloramine making it suitable for drinking water.
Tips
- You can also buy dechlorinated water from a convenience store.
- Most of the methods above do not completely get rid of the chlorine. Fish and plants have their own resistance to chlorine, so it's important to know your tolerable chlorine level and use a chlorine test kit to check the chlorine level regularly, if you're concerned.
