Which is better tap water or bottled water like Poland Spring for a fish tank?

Answer 1

Using tap water with a water conditioner works best. You can buy water conditioner at any pet store, it helps neutralize any chemicals in the tap water.

Answer 2

if you go with bottled water, you always have to go with the same bottled water as they all have a different pH and water quality. Bottled water is also purified (unless it is true spring water) and is defficient in healthy essential minerals.

Tap water conditioners detox heavy metals like copper in the water, making it safe for fish. Chlorine is removed because of the active ingrediant sodium thiosulfate. Chloramine happens when chlorine and ammonia are mixed together. All of these things are taken care of with a water conditioner.

If you are concerned with the pH, hardness, and alkalinity of your water, you can have it tested and research what they should be for the fish you want. You can adjust the water by running it through peat granuals, using chemicals, or using reverse osmosis.

Tap water is easiest if you are just starting out, but it never hurts to research all your options. Get a good book about water quality and ask a lot of questions and you will be able to decide what is best for you.

Answer 3

If you treat tap water correctly with a water conditioner and let it sit for a day before you use it you should be fine. Bottled water may still be better but it is going to cost you an arm and leg.

Depending on the szie of your tank you may want to invest in an RO system, much cheaper then bottled water over the life of your tank.

Answer 4

I use tap water with an aquarium water treatment (and let it sit for a couple hours before putting fish in it) for freshwater tanks- most bottled water is pretty sterile and missing most of the nutrients.
For a saltwater- definately use bottled water but there are other ingredients to add- I don't have one but my friend does...he puts so much stuff into the water before he will add it to his fish tank.

Answer 5

treated tap water is fine. if you can find r/o (reverse osmosis) it is considered best. any water labeled drinking or purified or distilled has most of its solids removed and thats not good for the fish. spring water can be good but tends to be a little weird in the ph department. you can do 1/2 spring 1/2 treated tap if it makes you feel better or ask for a local source of r/o water at your pet store.

Answer 6

You can use tap water if it is dechlorinated. Do not use straight tap water as the chlorine will kill the fish. You can buy dechlorinator at any pet store.

I wouldn't use Poland Spring, see if your supermarket carries reverse osmosis water in the gallon jugs. R/O water is your safest choice.

Answer 7

De-Chlorinated Tap

Answer 8

Using tap water is fine assuming that your tap water is acceptable and not high in nitrates and phosphates.

If it tests in the "normal" ranges for those go ahead and use it. Add a dechlor product if your water is chlorinated.

Answer 9

I have always used tap water and put in the water conditioner that you can get from a pet shop or the supermarket.

Answer 10

tap water is fine as long as u declorinate it and a lot less expensive
either leave it out for 24 hours or buy a declorinator from the pet store