Bottled Water

[pongo]

When a water change is being done would it be possible to use bottled water as a refill instead of tap water. Was just wondering as the bottled water should have less chemicals, chlorine and fluoride for example,  that could harm the fish. Then using things such as Tetra tap safe (I know there are other kinds) wouldn't have to be used. was just wondering if it could be used as planning on 25% water change tomorrow as nitrates still a little high.

 

[fluttermoth]

Honestly, you're better off using tap water, unless you have very delicate or wild caught fish, and even then bottled water isn't the best choice.

 

[Byron]

I agree.  The problem with bottled water is that it may contain nothing, or more likely it may contain something, such as various minerals.
 
Is there any reason (aside from not using a conditioner) that makes your tap water a problem?  For example, you mention high nitrates...are these in the tap water, or occurring within the aquarium?
 
Byron.

 

[pongo]

Was just thinking of different ways to use less chemicals that's all. Nitrates are 80 at the moment as new tank (2 weeks old) but all the water from the old tank and the old filter was transferred to the new tank.Im sure a water change will help.
 
Last results done a few days ago
PH 7.6
Ammonia 0.25
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 80

 

[Byron]

OK, so I will assume the tap water has zero ammonia, nitrite and nitrate (you should test tap water for these initially, just in case any are present).  This being the case, and further assuming the GH is within reasonable range for the intended fish, using the tap water is your best option, along with a water conditioner that deals with whatever is in the tap water than needs detoxifying, such as chlorine, and chloramine if present.  You can find out the tap water parameters and chemicals from the municipal water authority, probably on their website.
 
The high nitrate is due to the cycling, this will resolve itself too.  Nitrate should never be above 20 ppm if fish are present, and preferably lower.
 
Byron.

 

[StevenF]

My tap water is quit hard.  So I use RO water in my aquarium.  There are not enough minerals in RO for plants and invertebrates.  Plants and shrimp will die in RO water.  Bottled water my be RO water or may have enough for plants. but you never know.   So I use a micro nutrient fertilizer for the plants and add Magnesium and calcium carbonate to my RO water.  Instead of Calcium and magnesium you could put  sea shells in the Aquarium.  The magnesium and calcium in sea shells would gradually dissolve into the water.  The fish food should supply enough macro nutrients.   Installing a RO system in a home is a lot cheaper than bottled water in the long run.  Also RO systems remove Chlorine and many other things in tap water.  

 

[Bubbelzzz]

Bottled water comes in most cases from certain springs and do always hold certain minerals in the water. In most cases even more than in tap water. Bottled water is also in most cases rather hard. This is important since water that doesn't contain any minerals is not suitable for human consumption. It is not a good idea to use distilled water for your tank as well as fish and plants need these minerals.
 
Besides that, bottled water is just very expensive to use for your fish.
 
This doesn't mean that in all cases bottled water is a bad thing. What people sometimes do is adding bottled water with "bubbles". This is water where CO2 is added. Some people use this as a form of CO2 fertilizing. It has the added advantage that it contains a relatively high amount of minerals which will keep your plant's healthy as well.

 

[StevenF]

Bottled water comes in most cases from certain springs and do always hold certain minerals in the water. In most cases even more than in tap water.
 

 
"It is estimated that about 25 percent of the bottled waters consumed in the U.S. come from municipal water supplies. Most goes through significant processing such as reverse osmosis, deionization, activated carbon filtration and other treatments.
 
Often images on the label show mountains, snow or other bodies of water. For example, the label design on Aquafina (from Pepsi) gives me the feeling of mountains and snow; implying that Aquafina may be from a mountain spring, rather than bottled at Pepsi plants using processed municipal water. Coke’s Dasani, also one of the leading bottled water brands is processed municipal water with added minerals. Many gallon jug waters are also from municipal sources."
 
Source: http/www.today.com/food/your-bottled-water-coming-faucet-2D80555502
 
While the bottled water companies want you to believe its spring water.  Most sold isn't even if it says it on the label.  

 

[Bubbelzzz]

 

Bottled water comes in most cases from certain springs and do always hold certain minerals in the water. In most cases even more than in tap water.
 

 
"It is estimated that about 25 percent of the bottled waters consumed in the U.S. come from municipal water supplies. Most goes through significant processing such as reverse osmosis, deionization, activated carbon filtration and other treatments.
 
Often images on the label show mountains, snow or other bodies of water. For example, the label design on Aquafina (from Pepsi) gives me the feeling of mountains and snow; implying that Aquafina may be from a mountain spring, rather than bottled at Pepsi plants using processed municipal water. Coke’s Dasani, also one of the leading bottled water brands is processed municipal water with added minerals. Many gallon jug waters are also from municipal sources."
 
Source: http/www.today.com/food/your-bottled-water-coming-faucet-2D80555502
 
While the bottled water companies want you to believe its spring water.  Most sold isn't even if it says it on the label.  
 

I searched the internet myself, and you are right untill a certain extent. I found out that for my country, the difference is that bottled water is less "clean" than general tap water. There is by law, less filtration required for bottled water. So our tap water is actually saver to use than bottled water.. However, in order to sell "mineral water", the water need to come from springs. The thing is though, that the same springs are used for tap water as well. So for me it is actually better to use tap water if you don't want to use it for extra CO2 in the water.
So mineral water comes indeed from springs, but normal tap water as well.
This doesn't necessarily mean that bottled water is dangerous, it is just a waste of money to buy it.
 
Of course this will differ from country to country depending on the regulations.