Bottled Water

[acula]

Is using bottled water a good idea when doing water changes?

 

[BecciMac1987]

I wouldn't, its very high in mineral content. Its not the worst thing to do but I wouldnt advise it.

 

[Rooster]

Nope... no advantages ! Good ol tap water (with dechlor) unless you have marine, then its R/O water.

 

[waterdrop]

I saw the results of some TFF searches on bottled water a while back and in virtually all the cases the experienced folks, just like rooster, all were negative about its use. They all said basically what he just said.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

yeah, fish absorb minerals from the water by osmosis, if the balance of minerals in the water is wrong for fish then long term it can do them damage. so just stick to tap water. the only time i advise using bottled water is if there's a concern over contaminents in the tap water, in that case short term usage of bottled water is preferable to contaminated tap water.

 

[Aphotic Phoenix]

Also depends on why you'd want to use an alternate water source and what kind of bottled water.

- Distilled water is too pure to be used on it's own. It has virtually no mineral content which means : a) no pH buffers and b) none of the minerals that a fish may need.

- Mineral water on the other hand has at least 250 ppm TDS, which could be more than your own tap water!

Any particular reason you feel the need to go with a different water source than your own tap?

 

[acula]

No not really, im just getting started at this and thought i might be nice for the lil guys

 

[waterdrop]

No not really, im just getting started at this and thought i might be nice for the lil guys

Oh then good that you've learned the "surprise" lesson about how good tap water usually is!

In my brief time here I've repeatedly learned various "surprises" from all these wonderful hobbiests and often its just a delightfully fascinating turn of events for "newbie instincts."

 

[Tolak]

Your municipal water supply is tested several times daily, and by law these results must be recorded & submitted, as well as made public. The testing of bottled water is much less stringent, and the quality control is no where near the standards that are required of a municipal water supply.