Natural Sources Of Water

[SushiAk49]

There are a few natural springs nearby that many people have been using for years for drinking water with no ill effects. Also wondering about rain water, has anyone used natural water sources for your tanks? Mostly wondering because of fluoride that is in most city water. Also just out of curiosity.

 

[snazy]

Well I use water with fluoride in it, same story here I guess... and I see no issues with the fish.
As for other sources or water, it really depends. Sometimes it's safer using the tap water to be honest because other water may get contaminated and it's not properly regulated.
 Rain water should be fine for the most part, but not as the main source as it doesn't contain any of the important minerals that fish need.

 

[cpwebsite]

I believe in sticking with tap water because I know it's safe, since it's the same water we're given as drinking water. If it were unsafe to drink then they wouldn't give it to us because there would be some major law suits. I don't know the quality of rain water, however, if you have something like acid rain, it could cause a pH crash and destroy your tank I would assume? I believe if your not willing to drink it you shouldn't put it in your tank, and the pH should be stable.

 

[SushiAk49]

I may end up with higher ph than I already have if its glacier fed. Thanks for the input. Was thinking less chems would be better. But I guess consistency in water is prob better. Thanks

 

[This Old Spouse]

I think you're right, Sushi. Some people use bottled or RO water, but I believe tap water is the best, once it's been dechlorinated. I use Seachem Prime, which also takes care of other nasties that might be in your water. It's a little more expensive but well worth it, I think.
 
You might (and should) invest in a test kit to find out what your water stats are. And it would be interesting to know what's in that spring water! Does the city you're in test it at all, and could you find out the results?

 

[SushiAk49]

I do have a test kit. The water has never been tested buy the city as far as I know, but it is the primary source of water for some cabins that have no running water in them. It's so popular I'm sure someone has taken it to a water store to have a test done there. It's so popular it's not unusual for there to be a line. But I'll stick with tap for the fish.

 

[This Old Spouse]

We had a similar situation here, but for some reason the city actually buried the access so people couldn't get at it anymore. Nothing wrong with the water so don't know why they did it. 
 
I'd be really interested to know if your water is good for the fish. You'd think it would be much better because of the lack of chemicals. Hmm.

 

[SushiAk49]

It makes me want to experiment...but not at the cost of some fishes life, plus... Can't afford another tank, yet.

 

[This Old Spouse]

Why don't you run a test on a sample yourself? Do you have a liquid test kit?

 

[SushiAk49]

I got some Gracier water, wow it taste good. No wonder so many on city water go there. Clean water with no clhorine or floride. Anyhow, I did a ph test w/ my API test kit ...it was 7.8 to 8.0. A bit on the high side a lot of fish just might not be able to handle that. Plus that would be a bit of a pain maybe to haul enough for water changes. But then again our tap hovers around 7.4-7.6