How do you treat tap water to use it in a fish tank?

Answer 1

Just use something that gets rid of chlorine and amides containing chlorine. You can also use water conditioners that buffer the pH and the rock salt you were talking about.

Answer 2

#1 Always buy stuff to treat it with. The stuff should take out the chlorine and any other metals in the water. Remember: sitting the water out and aging isn't good enough to remove the chlorine. It use to be that this was okay and may still be okay in some areas; but it depends on what chemicals are being added at the water source for your municipality. Many places are now using chloromide instead of chlorine because it's more stable and lasts longer (from source to home; so it keeps pipes, etc. cleaner) ... this stuff doesn't dissappate by aging. You should use the stuff from the store.

#2 I've read that it is better to use the water out of the cold water tap rather then the hot. There could be mineral build up in the tank that could end up in the fist tank (another reason to make sure #1 is done)

#3 Since you have a bucket of cold water (way too cold for fishies) sit the ALREADY TREATED water out for a couple of hours or overnight near the fish tank so the water can get close to the same temperature. Some people have an extra heater for this. Personally I don't have a heater, but I will take my jug of water (meant exclusively for fish tank usage) and sit it in a sink of hot water and give the jug of cold water a warm bath. This gets the water close to the same temperature faster ... try to get within a few degrees of the tank water before adding new water. A second thermometer comes in handy too.

#4 Add water in fish tank either by using your gravel siphone or pouring very very slowly and gently. I use a strainer/collender to make sure there isn't a big "gush" of water for fishes.

That's how I do it anyway.

Answer 3

Tap Water For Fish Tank

Answer 4

You need to sit your water for about 24 hours if your using tap. Tap water is under pressure and has dissolved gasses in it and setting the water at atmospheric pressure lets the gasses separate from the water. If you take the strainer off the facet and run a glass of water you will see bubbles. These bubbles are from the dissolved gasses and can damage a fishes gills. A good water treatment to use while your water is setting is Starts Right Chrystal's. Starts right is salt and a dye called methylene blue. The dye helps control Ich and other parasites. Setting your water also lets the temperature adjust. If the temp is several degrees different than your tank water you will stress and maybe kill your fish. If fish are stressed they can also get the Ich. Malachite green and raising your tank temp a few degrees are the best way to cure this. Also remember the larger the tank the easier it is to keep. Buy nothing less than a 30 gal tank and don't over crowd it.

Answer 5

There are three easy ways to make tap water safe for your fish.
1.) When cleaning the tank - save about 1-2 cups of the old water(more or less depending on the size of your tank). When you fill the tank with the new tap water put some of the old water in it. This levels out the water and make it ready immediately

2.) As previously mentioned - let the tap water stand for about 24 hours.

3.) Buy some "Fresh Start" or something similar at your local fish or pet store, put in the amount directed on the bottle into your tap water - and the water is ready immediately

I didn't know this when I first got fish, cleaned out my tank, put new water in - didn't do any of the above and they all went belly up in a matter of minutes and I couldn't figure out why! Oh well live and learn!

Answer 6

The product you need is called dechlor. It will remove the chlorine in the water. Any pet store should have it, not very expensive and you put a few drops per gallon everytime you put more water into the tank. Also, when adding new fish DO NOT pour the water from the bag (from the fish store) into your tank. This is the best way to get diseases into your tank. Scoop the fish out with a net. Also, you should place the fish in its bag into the top of your tank. Every few minutes, add a 1/2 cup or so of water from your tank into the bag. After four times or so, then scoop out the fish. This will help the new fish become acclimated to your water and save it from going into shock.

Answer 7

There is no need to treat a tap water for using the same in fish tank. All you need to do is fill the required amount of tap water in a bucket and leave it there for two to three days. This helps in getting the desired temperature of the tap water concuttenr to that of the fish tank water under room temperature.

Answer 8

Just using chemicals caused a see saw effect in my tank at first. I killed a lot of fish getting the proper setup. Once I did, it was very easy to maintain. The best results came from doing the following:
1st, use a brita filter or similar for the first water you use. This will get rid of some of the nasties, but not all. Second, use a good (powerful) pump with a biological based filter (kind of like a hot tub filter connected to a waterfall). The one I used was a HOT magnum. Expensive, but worth it. Make sure this runs for a couple of weeks before you get any fish. This gets your aquarium stones covered in beneficial bacteria. Use the chemical treatment for the kind of water you've got. If you actually smell chlorine in your tap water, you have to use one type. If you can't smell chlorine, and you know your water is treated, then you have to buy a different type of chemical to reduce the chloramine. Chloramine is odorless, and relatively tasteless, but will kill your fish faster than plain old tap water. After you've got everything set up and you even see some algae groing on the walls of the tank, put in a few of the hardiest, cheapest fish you can get, namely "feeder" goldfish.
If they live, great, if they dont, rethink your setup. To maintain the tank, I always add distilled water to fill up the tank as evaporation makes the water level drop. This ensures you don't add any chemicals or salts to what's already in there. Secondly, I periodically use a charcoal filter to clear the water as it gets yellow with fish pee. I also use a scrub sponge to get the algae off the walls (I like to see my fish sometimes) . The goldfish seemed to eat the algae, and it added to their colors.

Answer 9

You can buy several different items at your local fish store or anywhere that sells pet supplies. I like to use a product called Prime, the formual is super concentrated so it will last a long time. You can also use a product made by Jungle called Start Right. I like it pretty well, too. Make sure the water you are putting in the tank is the same temperature as the water in the tank to help avoid shocking the fish.

Answer 10

Hi, if this is fresh water fish, the best thing to do is fill up clean buckets, cleaned and rinsed well with bleach, NO SOAP. Let the water sit over-night in the same room as the other fish tank or bowl. That way it will be the same temperature as the water they were already in. They sell the things at the store to take out the chlorine but the problem is the temperature of the water. it must be the same or they will get "ick" which is white spots all over them and die. It will contaminate the other fish. They have gention violet that helps to cute ick but it is messy. Hope this helps.

Answer 11

Not all tap water can be used for a fish tank. Some water has too much chlorine in it and other chemicals that will kill the fish. Best thing to do is either buy bottled water in a plastic jug or collect rain water and boil it down and let it cool and then give it to the fish.