Tap water or rain water?

[Firebelle_uk]

I was wondering would it be better to collect rainwater to fill my new tank with, or would de-chlorinated tap water be best. I appreciate there could be some pollutants in rain even if I collected carefully?
Any advice welcome

Thanks

Firebelle

 

[GSD]

declorinated tap water would be best,you dont know what chemicals are in the rain water

 

[SirMinion]

It depends on the quality of your local tapwater, and the fish that you keep.

Rain water is exceptionaly soft, it contains no hardness whatsoever but can be acidic (depending on where you live) and is sometimes high in nitrates, especially if collected during a thunderstorm.
Fish such as cichlids who like hard, alkaline water will hate rainwater but softwater, acidic loving fish like many Amazonian species will appreciate the rainwater.
It's still best to use a water conditioner though and maybe have carbon in your filter too.

Tapwater is always harder than rainwater but the actual hardness depends on your area as does the pH and the nitrate content.
If you are in a hard water area and keep hard water fish, then tapwater (conditioned of course) is the better option.

 

[Teelie]

Rainwater has the added bonus of whatever airborne pollution it captures in the water. Go with tap. It may need dechlorinated and on the hardside but at least you don't have to worry about the uncertainty of toxins.

 

[Firebelle_uk]

Thanks for the advice, I certainly think tap water will be my best option now.