Rain Water

EricJ7182

Jack Dempsey
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Jan 30, 2011
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Does anyone use rain water in their tanks, or top off their tanks with rain water? If so how did this affect your fish? I'm curious how this would work. Thanks


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Mr.Manaconda

Candiru
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Nov 9, 2008
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Rainwater topped off outdoor stock tank ponds I have had. Fish bred like rabbits in it.
 

rodger

Polypterus
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Apr 29, 2008
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I wouldn't be concerned with it for soft water fish if you live away from an urban area. Or were able to exclude the rain fall from the start of a rain to purge the air pollutants.
 

duanes

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I use rain water mixed with tap (to equalize temp) when I want t to initiate breeding.
Rain water does not contain anything that will help buffer pH or alkalinity though, so if you normally have pH swings you may need to double up on water changes with tap water besides (depending on what type fish you keep) or add buffers.
 

duanes

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One other concern may be pollutants and debris in gutters or the roof.
For this I use a 2 barrel system, where the 1st barrel catches solids and junk that washes off the roof, and settles in that 1st barrel, allowing mostly cleaner rain water to overflow into the 2nd, which is where I take water for the tank.

I also soak driftwood in the rain barrel to remove tannins.

The 2nd barrel overflows into my pond during heavy rain events.
 

EricJ7182

Jack Dempsey
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Jan 30, 2011
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This is an awesome set up :) I'm def going to try and add a little rain water to my set ups.

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HarleyK

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Think of rain being Nature's washing machine for air. Then think combustion engines, industrial smokestacks and other exhausts.
All that will end up in your tank if you use rain water ...


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