Should i still use tap water conditioner when i filter the water?

[squirley]

Hi, I recently picked up a brita water filter and am using it to put new water into a 10 gallon water tank. I sometimes add salt and sometimes add potash. I am worried about mixing too many additive to the water because i do not know if the different elements will be good together. Also I add bacteria every time. So does anybody use tap water conditioner in filtered water? I wonder if they like to have different kinds of water instead of the same kind week after week.
I enjoy reading your guys and gals threads, except for the people that post help, help theres an emergency. Geez!

 

[Essjay]

Several years ago, Brita's website had a Q & A page in which they said that their filtered water should not be used in aquariums. So I tested my tap water compared to that from a filter jug.

My tests -
Tap pH 7.2; Brita jug pH below 6.0
Tap GH 9; Brita jug GH 6
Tap KH 3; Brita jug KH 0

This is why I did not use the water from my Brita jug.



You may want to try the same tests on your filtered water as Brita may have changed their system since I had my jug (I had the cylindrical cartridges but the jugs now use Maxtra cartridges)

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Why would you keep adding bacteria if your tank is cycled? It would be more efficient if you just burned the money to save the cost associated with buying it- either driving to and from the store or paying for shipping.

What determines how much bacteria will be in a cycled tank is ammonia. If there is more than they can use, they reproduce faster. If there is less than they need they will reproduce more slowly causing the total numbers to decrease. This means more are dying than are being created. So if one adds bacteria when it is not needed it just dies off.

What Brita Filters Remove​

Brita filters, primarily using activated carbon and ion-exchange resin, can effectively remove or reduce the following contaminants:

1. Chlorine: One of the main functions of Brita filters is to reduce chlorine, which can significantly improve the taste and odor of tap water.
2. Lead: Brita’s Longlast and Elite filters are certified to reduce lead, a significant concern in older homes with lead plumbing.
3. Copper and Mercury: These filters also reduce the levels of copper and mercury, which can pose health risks if present in high concentrations.
4. Particulates: Brita filters can remove particulate matter like rust, sand, and sediment, enhancing the water’s clarity.

What Brita Filters Don’t Remove​

Despite their benefits, Brita filters have limitations and do not remove:

1. Dissolved Solids: They are not designed to remove dissolved minerals and salts, which can affect water hardness and taste.
2. Bacteria and Viruses: Brita filters do not have the capability to remove microbial contaminants, which can be a concern for overall health.
3. Pharmaceuticals and Pesticides: Many synthetic chemicals and pharmaceuticals can pass through Brita filters, leaving them in the water.
4. Nitrates and Nitrites: These are common agricultural contaminants in water that Brita filters do not effectively remove.

from https://www.cleanwaterohio.com/abou...ters-what-they-remove-and-what-they-dont.html

This is what the above site added about Reverse Osmosis:

The Superiority of Reverse Osmosis​

Reverse osmosis (RO) systems offer a more thorough approach to water filtration, addressing many of the shortcomings of Brita filters. Here’s how RO systems excel:

1. Multi-Stage Filtration: RO systems typically include several stages of filtration, including pre-filters for sediment, activated carbon filters for chlorine and organic compounds, and a semipermeable membrane that removes up to 99% of dissolved solids, heavy metals, bacteria, and viruses.
2. Effective Contaminant Removal: RO systems are highly effective in removing a broad spectrum of contaminants, making them a superior choice for ensuring water safety and quality. This includes nitrates, nitrites, fluoride, arsenic, and other harmful substances that Brita filters cannot remove.
3. Enhanced Taste and Safety: By removing a wider range of contaminants, RO-treated water often tastes better and is safer to drink. This is particularly important in areas with known water quality issues.

 

[GaryE]

Hi, I recently picked up a brita water filter and am using it to put new water into a 10 gallon water tank. I sometimes add salt and sometimes add potash................. I wonder if they like to have different kinds of water instead of the same kind week after week.
I enjoy reading your guys and gals threads, except for the people that post help, help theres an emergency. Geez!

Fish don't like changes in the chemistry of their water. Their bodies are evolved to handle certain conditions, and if those conditions bounce around, it causes enormous stress on their kidneys, among other things. You need to learn what kind of water your fish come from (hard water, soft water, what alkalinity or acidity) and to respect that. Otherwise, you'll be posting 'help, there's an emergency' soon.

Once you work out what your fish need, then your goal should be to aim for stability. You still need regular partial water changes, to maintain that stability. As for adding bacteria - save your money.

Do you know the chemistry of your tap water?

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Some fish actually ae adapted to thrive in changing conditions. Anywhere there is a distinct rainy/dry season would be a good place to start. Not only does the seasonality change the parameters, but at the point of changeover, the difference in the numbers can be startling. For my Hypancistrus simultating a dry/rainy season I useually changed the TFS up 100% by the peak of the dry season and then dropped it by 50% within 24-36 hours for the onset of the rainy. The temp. was also dropped from the low 90sF to the high 70sF in two stages done within 24 - 36 hours by doing two large water changes.

I had a heater failure where it got stick full on which killed two adult discus, turned a small school of rummy nose tetras into mush balls, but the 5 Hypancistrus L450s growing out in the tank were all hunkered down in their caves. The tank temp. was about 104F or a few degrees warmer. I got the temp. down fast with a huge water change and removed the corpses. A few weeks later the plecos spawned for the first time.