Using Tank/rain Water In My Fish Tank

[nudenurd]

Hi all,

I have a plastic rainwater tank that holds the rain runoff from my roof (tiled). I've also got a 5x2x2 fish tank with Oscars in it (among other things).

What I'd like to be able to do is my periodic vacuum of my tank but top it up with rainwater straight out of the tank outside. As there's no pump on this, the water flows very slowly and thus would take a long time to fill. My question is; can I top up my fish tank with this water directly? Being rain water it wouldn't have chlorine or any additives in it, so I'd imagine that I wouldn't have to use "Prime" on it.

The reason I want to use this water is because I live in a drought-stricken part of Australia. Using tap water will attract the attention of the local water patrol and I'll most likely get fined. Not to mention the fact that the quality of the tap water is very low.

I've got a test kit but it only does the basics (ph, nitrite, nitrate and ammonia).

TIA!

Liam

 

[Thirdfloor]

can you post parameters of your tank water and the rain water?

 

[nudenurd]

Sure.

Rain water:
PH = ~6.2
Nitrate = 0 mg/L
Ammonia = 0 mg/L


Tank water:
PH = 7.6 - 7.8
Nitrate = 20-40 mg/L
Nitrite = 0.15 mg/L
Ammonia = 0.15 mg/L

That's about the scope of my basic test kit.

P.S. Whilst getting samples of water out of the tank, one of my Oscars attacked me! Latched onto my finger for a couple of seconds and looked like he was trying to pull me into the tank! Little bastard drew blood too! hehehe

 

[01edmn]

i would say that the problem may that the ph drop might be to much

 

[Thirdfloor]

yes the ph might be a factor, unless you drip the water in slowly, but thats pretty time consuming heh.

 

[Luketendo]

Looks like your area is subject to acid rain.

 

[WILDER]

I won't use rain water as you have to be careful of chemicals and parasites.

 

[andywg]

Rain water is fine to use. The risk of chemical contamination is minimal unless you live next to a heavy industrial area. It will be soft and acidic, but for many South American fish that is to be desired.

The pH will drop, but that is not a problem. Just do 10% changes or so over a while and then you will bring the pH down slower.

 

[nudenurd]

Thanks for your help! I'll give a small amount a go and see whether my fish like it or not.

Cheers

 

[andywg]

One suggestion, if you are worried about some contaminants, is to run the water through carbon before adding it to the tank

 

[chibi]

Why can't you just use tap water?

I don't want sound like a smartass, I'm just curious.

 

[nudenurd]

Why can't you just use tap water?

I don't want sound like a smartass, I'm just curious.

Because my city's water resoviors are nearly empty - we're in the middle of a drought. Well, actually we might ne nearing the end of it given our recent rains... hopefully. History tells us that although we've just had a nice amount of rain, it'll drop off for 6 months or so and we'll be back to where we were at the end of 2007. This has been going on for years.

http/www.qwc.qld.gov.au/

If you use too much tap water, the "water police" will fine you. So, long story short, yes I can fill my tank with tap water, but I have to go without a shower for 2 or 3 days to do so. Not to mention water changes!

I'm sure there's many many other fish-lovers in my city with a similar dilemma.