It's been a bit of a struggle for me here in hyde park the last few months - once upon a time a water change was a cause for celebration - fresh bubbly water - bright active fish - spawning - excitement. Now it has become more of a death march. If I'm at all careless (I.e. If I perform a water change the way I have for the past 15 years) I am bound to loose fish. Within an hour of a change, stressed fish turn into dead fish. Only by barreling water, treating with excessive dechlor and buffers, and letting the water sit and turn for a few hours can I perform my usual large water changes without risking my fish. Even then, the change is something to be endured by my fish, rather than celebrated. I mean, I feel as if I'm in Medway!
So, I put it to all you MWRA users out there... An similar issues? I suspect a local problem - neigborhood pipes or hot water tank leaching something nasty into my water - but I'd like to rule out a more region wide issue with the water.
Cheers,
-Sam