i read somewhere the other day that you should replace evaporated water with distilled water. should this be done? if not what should it be replaced with?
evaporated water
- Thread starter schwalbach2280
- Start date
you could use distilled water or R/O water infact this is preferred as only water evaporates, the minerals from the tapwater is left behind. You don't want to be adding too many minerals back into the water(increased water hardness) if you won't be doing a water change for a bit (I.E in most saltwater aplications) a water change would bring down the minerals in the water back down to normal tapwater levels again.
I've never had an issue topping off... As long as your doing 25% WCs on a regular basis and your evap isn't to crazy. and actually topping off my SW tank w/ no WC's for a few monthes imo was what induced my pipefish and perculas to breed.. however i don't have any hard evidence to support my theory on that one.. So I don't reccomend it.
in general applications with hardy/ non-sensitive species ect. declored tap imo is fine. and depending what species your keeping. ie African cichlids for example.. useing R/o , Distilled, ect may induce PH dips in your tank, and stress your fish. or if you keep low PH loving species they may enjoy a few ticks down on the PH.
My view on it, If it isn't broke don't fix it. If you have been topping it off, and not had any issues. I'de continue doing it. If you have issues w/ fish being healthy and have exhausted all other possable options.. well.. there ya go.
in general applications with hardy/ non-sensitive species ect. declored tap imo is fine. and depending what species your keeping. ie African cichlids for example.. useing R/o , Distilled, ect may induce PH dips in your tank, and stress your fish. or if you keep low PH loving species they may enjoy a few ticks down on the PH.
My view on it, If it isn't broke don't fix it. If you have been topping it off, and not had any issues. I'de continue doing it. If you have issues w/ fish being healthy and have exhausted all other possable options.. well.. there ya go.
Only pure H2O evaporates... which is the logic behind topping off with only pure H2O to replace evaporation...
Topping off with tap water which contains minerals, metals, etc, the concentrations of these things will increase with each top off...
But described, when doing regular water changes the effects of this is neglegable and shouldn't be worried about in the least. I commonly do weekly top offs (with tap water) in my lightly stocked tanks and only do water changes once or twice a month.
Topping off with tap water which contains minerals, metals, etc, the concentrations of these things will increase with each top off...
But described, when doing regular water changes the effects of this is neglegable and shouldn't be worried about in the least. I commonly do weekly top offs (with tap water) in my lightly stocked tanks and only do water changes once or twice a month.
You can use dehydrated water tablets. Just add them to some water before putting them in your tank.
ro distilled water will mess with ur ph which is bad, even a little water can through everything off balance so unless u do water changes once every 2 months u should b fine topping off with declhored tap w