Different Brands: Does it Matter?

[JemZ]

This may be a dumb question, but I just want to be sure I don't stress out my fish:
The water levels are getting low in my 7-gallon tank so I plan on topping it up. I'm out of water conditioner so I will turn to spring water instead. the only issue is that the only spring water that I've got is a different brand than the Publix brand I've used in the past. Is it okay to use it?

 

[Essjay]

As long as the ingredients are the same, ot's OK to use. But if the ingredients are different - especially the amounts of calcium and magnesium, the hardness minerals - and pH is different I wouldn't use it. The minerals etc in the water should remain constant.

Topping up is not a good idea, it just concentrates everything dissolved in the water. If you need to top up, use a source of pure water such as reverse osmosis etc.
How often are you doing water changes? Or is it an open topped tank which allows a lot of evaporation?

 

[JemZ]

I'm doing water changes every 10-14 days. Haven't done one over the past couple weeks with Christmas, birthday's ect. Gonna gravel clean in the next couple of days though. It is an open-top tank, except for night time when I partially cover the top with the lid that came with the container. There is an airstone for aeration. The reason I want to top up is because the filter is making annoying sounds from the water being too low.

 

[Essjay]

Yes the filter does need to have a certain level of water to work properly.

I would add just enough water to keep the filter happy, don't fill it right up if the water is different. Then when you do a water change, try to use the same water that you usually do.
If you can manage to do a weekly water change, there won't be time for much evaporation

 

[JemZ]

Sounds good!

Any advice on transitioning to conditioned tap water? I would prefer to use it so that I don't have to go out and buy water every time I want to do a water change or gravel clean the tank. I've only used conditioned tap water a couple of times so I'm kind of nervous about using it on a regular basis.

 

[AbbeysDad]

If you drink your tap water, it should be fine for your aquarium. You just may need to treat with a conditioner to neutralize chlorine/chloramine. Conditioners these days neutralize chlorine/chloramine immediately so you simply add the appropriate amount per the directions just before you refill the tank with tap water of the appropriate temperature.

 

[Essjay]

When changing from one source of water to another, don't change all the water at once. Several partial water changes will gradually transition form all one to all the other.

Most of us use all tap water with a water conditioner to neutralise chlorine/chloramine.

 

[JemZ]

Alright, I'll start the transition. Thanks for the help!