Can i add bottled water to my tank?

Question

Ever since I moved to a new town, my fish have been dying on me. I am thinking that it could be the water because I have never had problems before. Can I use that water that you fill up at the store? If so do I need to add any aqua safe, or anything to it before putting it in the tank.

Answer 1

Only one person spoke directly to this point. Yes, you can use bottled water and it is preferred because you are assured of safe, quality water without detrimental additives; however, you do need to pay attention to the type of bottled water you use. The reason most people don't use bottled water is because it is an expensive proposition. So, here are the various bottled waters. Distilled water does not have the additives that tap water does, however, it has had all of the beneficial minerals removed from the water. Next, be careful of a sneaky, rotten little trick that distributors of bottled water are doing also. There is bottled water that is named, "Drinking Water." All this is is plain old city tap water put in a bottle. They can get away with this because it is just that; drinking water. They aren't claiming that it's distilled. They aren't claiming that it's spring water. This is a real sneaky thing they're doing and, personally, they shouldn't be allowed, but this is a different issue. Spring water is the best water to use. It has all of the beneficial minerals without any of the bad additives of tap water. You will still need to use a stress-coat. Also, get a test kit and test your ammonia, nitrites and nitrates if you haven't done this yet. Good luck!

Answer 2

So many things could be killing you fish. If you just put together your tank, it could be that your biofilter is not up and running. If you have lots of fish in there, they produce ammonia as a by-product of their metabolism. Natural bacteria will develop in the filter to convert the ammonia to nitrite, then to nitrate. If you just set up the system, it takes a little while for the bacteria to take up residence. If you can test for ammonia and nitrite, that would be good.

The pH balance could also be off. Eash species is different, but a pH reading should usually be between 6.5 and 7.5. Baking soda in small quantities will prevent large fluctuations in pH, as it's a natural buffer.

The quality of the water is also a possible problem. Use distilled water from the grocery. You may wish to add some minerals, which will depend on the fish. If you have a saltwater tank, you'll obviously want to add lots of salts.

The fish could be sick, too. Do you see any lesions or sores or anything odd? Parasitic organisms could be the problem. There are treatments for that.

Talk to someone at an aquarium store somewhere and they'll help you troubleshoot.

Answer 3

Some tap water has very high levels of ph and nitrates and this is probably what is contributing to the demise of your fish. Aqua safe will take care of ph in the water and the chlorine but not the nitrates. You can buy water in the stores and use it, but it has to be natural spring water not filtered water. Filitered water will still have chemicals in it that will kill your fish. If you get natural spring water you wont have to add anything to your water. You can also buy what is called R.O water from pet stores. It's water that is already pre mixed and perfectly balanced for your fish tank. And for freshwater this normally cost about 50 cents a gallon. Just call around to your local pet stores and just ask if they have RO water. If not, I would use the natural spring water. Or if you really want to adjust your water from home on your own, take a sample of your water to the pet store have them test it, they can tell you what the problem is with your tap water and then they can tell you exactly what all you need to buy to treat your tap water. Just remember to take at least a cup full of water with you so they will have enough to test. I hope this helped, good luck.

Answer 4

same thing happened to me. it is not because it is bad water, it is just diffrent. i reccomend (too late now tho) that you bring atleast half a tank of water from your old setup when you move.
If you filled your tank with just fresh water, none from the old setup, then they are dying because they are in a compleatly sterile environment. they need bacteria to live. You can get "used" water fromthe pet store but it is risky because there aer always diseases passing through the store tanks.
Get a bottle of Cycle and dump the whole thing in. it is good bacteria in a bottle and you cannot overdose your fish with it.
Get a test kit and check the water. some stores will do it for you. Call a pet store in your old town and ask them about the water there. Buy whatever you need to adjust the new water so it is closer to the old water.

It also may just be the strees from the move. make sure you have added stress coat.

Answer 5

this is the best water to use because guaranteed your tap has a lot of chlorine in it that is why your fish is dying i would suggest buy some stress coat to to keep your fish from stressing out when changing water or do this when changing them take some of the water that they are allready in and keep them in it until you change the water then when done filling it back up put them in a baggie with the same water they are in and let this bag float ontop of the water this will adjust there temperture to the new one after about ten minutes open the bag and let them go this is called acclimating witch you should do every time you buy a fish and get ready to put it in your tank this will adjust them to the new water temperture but not to quickly

Answer 6

you can but you need to add the aqua safe. Or there might just be too much chlorine and chemicals in your tap water, get a filter for it like Brita or Pur, it will help both you and your fish.

Answer 7

I don't exactly know but i think you should try and dig up some info on you local water source . Then go to a fish store and ask their opinion on the water.

Answer 8

I have a large salt water tank and when the water starts to get a little low I add room temperature Ice Mountian water.

Answer 9

Have the water tested at the fish store. They will tell you what you need to make it safe. I started mine with distilled water and used this stuff called "Cycle" to safely add good bacteria and balance nitrates and I've had the same fish for ages. My water was too hard.

Answer 10

Clean the tank & accessories that go in itextremely well, go to a fish store in your area & state your problem & maybe they can give you some tips on the area's water........