I have well water. In my home I have a carbon filtration system, UV filter and a water softener. The house was built on old farmland that is why so many in home filtration systems. My nitrates are > .1 ppm as tested by the county. I don't use a carbon filter pad in my Eheim 2236. After every water change I use Stress Coat. I was just wondering if I need to, or not, and will it hurt anything using it. I would prefer not to put a bunch of chemicals in my tanks unless it it absolutely necessary. Just looking to get some feedback to see what others do with well water and if they have ever run into problems not using a water conditioner.
Do I need water conditioner?
- Thread starter rhite
- Start date
Like Dan says, only for heavy metal removal, if needed.
Even with many city waters, conditioners aren't NEEDED. Chlorine cities can get by with letting the water sit for a day or so. Chloramine is the one that's harder to get rid of.
My only concern would be the water softener. That works by replacing the minerals in the water with sodium. Probably not a major problem with most fish, but something sensitive might not take it too well.
It might even be helpful to take the water before the softener, given the right mineral content, if you were to keep something that likes hard water. That would also save usage on the softener too.
Even with many city waters, conditioners aren't NEEDED. Chlorine cities can get by with letting the water sit for a day or so. Chloramine is the one that's harder to get rid of.
My only concern would be the water softener. That works by replacing the minerals in the water with sodium. Probably not a major problem with most fish, but something sensitive might not take it too well.
It might even be helpful to take the water before the softener, given the right mineral content, if you were to keep something that likes hard water. That would also save usage on the softener too.
I've used tap water from the city, and let it sit for a few days and used t to wash blackworms, and change water in daphnia and scud cultures and nothing happened. And these are more sensitive than fish. So if you are using well water you should be more safer than me.
Your well water is fine without any conditioners. I only use a dechlorinator because I have city water with chloramines in it. I use to use prime but my tank has been set up for 10 years and with weekly water changes I just use the cheap dechlorinator from Weco products.