lake water in tank

[puffcrusader696]

i live on a lake during the summer and im wondering if the lake water would be safe to have my fish in. the tap water is from the lake and is safe to drink. should i be treating the water for bacteria or parasites? i dont need to dechlor but should i be doing any other precautionary things with the water? thanks in advance

 

[Knowdafish]

I would filter it AND run it through UV if it was me just for peace of mind.

 

[pcfriedrich]

If its safe for you to drink, I imagine its safe for your fish.

you could always boil it, but what a PITA.

 

[pcfriedrich]

I would filter it AND run it through UV if it was me just for peace of mind.

UV sterilizer. great idea. why didn't i think of that.

 

[Cichlaholics Anonymous]

I wouldn't use it because any kind of unwanted parasites, microorganisms, or anything like that which is in the lake

 

[puffcrusader696]

none of our entire family has ever gotten sick off it. and i kept a scaless hillstream sucker in it for 4 days with no problem. its rated clean drinking water by the state too. and its the cleanest lake in the finger lakes in NY so id say it should be safe but a UV is a great idea.

 

[Cichlaholics Anonymous]

are there fish in the lake? if so, there could be diseases in the native fish that could be devastating to tropicals

 

[puffcrusader696]

are there fish in the lake? if so, there could be diseases in the native fish that could be devastating to tropicals

yeah there are tons of fish... never had a problem with tropical fish... ive used some of the water for my tanks already. when i swim all the fish seem incredibly healthy. never seen a sick fish in the lake my whole life.

 

[pcfriedrich]

I'd still invest in the UV sterilizer.

 

[puffcrusader696]

I'd still invest in the UV sterilizer.

agreed. thanks for the input peoples.