Rain water

[jclyde13]

He lives in Saskatchewan Canada. For those with no clue where that is, its about 200 miles north of Montana. For those who don't know where Montana is, just beat your head against the computer screen till you see blood, then look at the map on Google. If you still can't find it, then your computer is broken. Put it back in the box it came from and take it back to the store, then tell them your too stupid to own a computer.

BTW, I have no Idea why I'm typing in italics, as I did not select it. Highlighting it and then selecting it does nothing. Its very odd that it started at the last letter of Saskatchewan.

Anyways, my point. I don't think you get enough rainfall to rely on it weekly for water changes. I doubt your pollution is anything to worry about. If you'd really like to give it a shot, get a small 10ish gallon tank and run it soley on rain water with some cheap Mollys or something. If it works, and you feel confident, move up to a larger tank. Just keep us posted on the experiment. If nothing else, sounds like something fun to do.

Um, I did that and they called the police... But seriously, I still don't think it's worth the risk, there are all kinds of things in rainwater that would cause problems in an aquarium, not just pollution.

 

[dr_sudz]

Running carbon in the use of the rain water would more then likely be a wise idea, this would help with the whole pollution thing.

 

[leather]

Its to unpredictable, acid rain (low ph) one day then pollution the next day.

 

[JustinFish]

Not a good idea

 

[Oddball]

I've been using roof run-off rainwater for years with absolutely no ill effects. Water runs off the metal roof into collection cisterns, filtered through a 3-stage unit, and into aerated storage tanks in the hatchery.

BTW, all the pollution warners should check the variability of municipal water throughout the year. Reservoirs are filled through rainwater, rainwater runoff, and creek, river, or groundwater. A reservoir's chemistry is susceptable to changes from run-off, fire pollutants (ash, resins, retardants, etc.), drought, boating, inlet pollutants, etc. Then, there's the changes from treatment plant chemicals which vary depending on lab testing for biologicals.
And, well-water is no safer. Run-off, chemistry of bedrock minerals, vug gases, origin of groundwater, etc. will greatly effect what's pumped up from a well.
It all comes down to knowing what you're bringing into your house for everyone in the house (including your pets). I get a quarterly water report about my municipal water and check the utility website regularly if I detect or suspect a difference in my tap water. BTW, my municipal water goes through a 5-stage filter before going into the storage tanks.

 

[knifegill]

I'm collecting rainwater today. After hosing out the gutter and the roof, then the gutter again because I didn't think ahead, I made a funnel and hose to full some containers in my basement. I'm going to let the first of the water act as a rinse-out and then keep what comes later. As for storage, is a little charcoal and aeration going to cut it? I'll probably only store it for a few weeks at the most.

Yes, my area is somewhat polluted, but after a good rain the air is very clean. So I'm thinking if I clean all my collection surfaces and then let the rain clean the air for a bit, what comes later ought to be pretty serviceable. Input on this?

 

[knifegill]

Hey! I can get 6.6 pH water from the tap! Why did I bother doing this?!

 

[knifegill]

I just assumed rainwater would have a lower pH than my settled tap. But I guess I can rest assured it contains less TDS than my tank water. Still employable.

 

[GhostShrimpMan]

I've been using roof run-off rainwater for years with absolutely no ill effects. Water runs off the metal roof into collection cisterns, filtered through a 3-stage unit, and into aerated storage tanks in the hatchery.

BTW, all the pollution warners should check the variability of municipal water throughout the year. Reservoirs are filled through rainwater, rainwater runoff, and creek, river, or groundwater. A reservoir's chemistry is susceptable to changes from run-off, fire pollutants (ash, resins, retardants, etc.), drought, boating, inlet pollutants, etc. Then, there's the changes from treatment plant chemicals which vary depending on lab testing for biologicals.
And, well-water is no safer. Run-off, chemistry of bedrock minerals, vug gases, origin of groundwater, etc. will greatly effect what's pumped up from a well.
It all comes down to knowing what you're bringing into your house for everyone in the house (including your pets). I get a quarterly water report about my municipal water and check the utility website regularly if I detect or suspect a difference in my tap water. BTW, my municipal water goes through a 5-stage filter before going into the storage tanks.

NICE!

 

[gavigan1]

I have collected rain water for discus w excellent results. The water is extremely soft. good luck