I was just wondering what water would be best to use when doing water changes. I am currently using tap water and putting the conditioner in it. I'm sure there is better water to use than tap. Ex. Distilled, r/o
What's best?
- Thread starter celts88
- Start date
Most people find tap is just fine for the majority of freshwater species... What do you keep? And what is your tap water parameters?
Pure RO, and especially RO/DI is terrible for straight water changes as it has no buffering minerals. Using pure RO means your ph is likely to plummet quite quickly. If you're gonna use it, say for discus or rays, most people mix 50/50 with tap.
Tap, has always worked great for me.. Only way I could see not using tap is if your tap water had high nitrates from the start..
I use regular tap water with additional water conditioner. My In-Laws have an RO system that they use 100% for water changes. Your statement may be the answer to some of the water and fish health issues that seem to reoccur in their tanks. I'll have to research more about this. Thanks for the post.SimonL;5029686;5029686 said:
I know some keepers age their water first in trash cans for a few days. then pump it to their tanks during water change.
Personally, I would've also done that if water depts didn't also put chloramine into the tap now as chloramine don't dissipate, and still need chemical neutralizers to make if safe for fish.
Only advantage I see now w/garbage can method is they also put a heater into the aged water, so the water is at same temp when pumped into the fish tank after w/c.
but, my fish never seem to be bothered by the temp change anyway as i just turn the heater temp up so water will heat up faster to the tank temp and then set temp back on heater.
Personally, I would've also done that if water depts didn't also put chloramine into the tap now as chloramine don't dissipate, and still need chemical neutralizers to make if safe for fish.
Only advantage I see now w/garbage can method is they also put a heater into the aged water, so the water is at same temp when pumped into the fish tank after w/c.
but, my fish never seem to be bothered by the temp change anyway as i just turn the heater temp up so water will heat up faster to the tank temp and then set temp back on heater.
tyl089;5031997; said:
I just feel for the temperature at the sink with my hands and usually my tank doesn't change more than a degree or two when refilling. I try to aim a little on the warm side as fish don't seem to have problem getting warmer but a sudden coldness i have read is more bad?
I try not to use hot water from tap even mixed w/cold water as much as I can because I don't want heavy metal to go into the fish tank, but recently w/the crazy cold weather, I find myself doing more of mixing hot water w/cold water as not to shock my fish. I also use Prime to condition the water after w/c and the stuff supposed to neutralize heavy metal as well.
So far so good.
So far so good.
do you have a well? If so your tap water is perfectly fine, I have always used tap water and have never had any problems.
It is not a well. Very helpful posts thank you very much. ill just keep using tap and conditioning it