Is filtered brita water bad for fish? What are some colorful fresh water fish?

Question

I am deciding whether to start a fresh water fish tank or a salt water fish tank. I have heard arguments on both sides on which tank is easier to keep. I know that salt water fish are a lot prettier than fresh water fish. Is there any nice fresh water fish that are colorful like salt water fish? I have a 40 gallon tank. Any suggestions?

On another topic… I had a beta fish that died after about 2 days of switching his water. I used half Brita filtered water and half bottled water. A couple days after he died I got 2 gold fish and they died very soon also. I cleaned and changed the water with the new gold fish but used the same combo of water. Is Brita water bad for fish?

Answer 1

Brita water is ok for fish, no problem there. It is equal to water that has been run through a filter that contains carbon ( interesting that the Brita does the same as your tank filter yet people say it's bad) Brita filters do not remove the vast majority of minerals from the water. It will remove suspended materials but not dissolved materials and would not affect the hardness for example. So your Brita didn't do it.

As for colorful freshwater fish I would suggest you check out African cichlids and killifish. They might surprise you.

MM

Answer 2

I agree 100% with MM on this, I have a britta filter for my tap water and there are no problems with any of my tanks. The main thing to remember is you need to be using a GOOD water conditioner which replaces trace minerals your filter takes out. That is the key.

NEVER BOIL your water for your tank. This concentrates the nitrates in the water making them higher than they already are. (Most public water has between 10-15ppm of nitrates already in the water. Some have more even though federal law states 10)

I don't think the britta had any effect on your fish dieing. It was the fact the fish were in bowls not tanks. Did you use a conditioner with the water or did you just pour it in the bowls? You must use a Dechlor.

Personally, I have ponds, salt and fresh water tanks. The salt is easier since after they have matured, require less maintenance and care than the fresh or the ponds. Salt water fish, (approximately all 25,000 different ones) are much more colorful and more unique and diversified than tropicals or natives.

There are a number of fish for fresh water that are beautiful, but certain combinations of them don't work either.

Perhaps more research on salt and fresh water is what you need to determine what is best for you and your lifestyle.

There are pro's and con's on both sides. Salt water really isn't that expensive it is how you set up and care for the fish. The largest expense is the fish themselves, however prices are all that much different from the Exotic tropicals (wolf fish etc.) On line shops also are a good source for pricing and believe it or not you can haggle with most of them. (Bet you didn't know that one)

Either way you choose, best of luck and really only you can decide what you are willing to care for.

Answer 3

I'm not aware of any very colorful freshwater fish besides goldfish.

I don't know about the filtering stuff. It could be that the filtering process for Brita or the bottled water removes dissolved oxygen from the water, which is what fish breathe. If you're going to try again with freshwater, I suggest using unfiltered tap water only and seeing what happens.

Answer 4

As far as your first question...It is less expensive to have a freshwater fish tank. Saltwater fish tanks are pricey and so is the unit to keep the water at the right salt level. You can find some nice fish at pet stores.

I have never put a fish in Brita water so I don't know the second half of your question...Sorry.

Answer 5

1) A salt water tank is more expensive as a start up. It is also more difficult as far as understanding how to manage the salinity issues. But, once you make your purchase and get the tank set up and once you understand your water quality and maintenance issues, a salt water tank is really no more difficult than a freshwater tank. The problem with a small tank like a 40 gallon is that, whether salt water or fresh, if you want the "pretty fish," they are usually larger fish and you'll only be able to keep maybe two in such a small space. Also, freshwater fish that are more colorful and larger are usually more difficult to take care of because they are either territorial and aggressive and/or sensitive to certain water/environmental requirements. I would suggest doing a lot of research on both fresh and salt water aquariums before purchasing any fish and understanding, not only what fish are "pretty," but also their individual needs as well as such things as the nitrogen cycle, water cycling, water changes, tank maintenance, filtration, heat, etc.

2) Brita water is the same as distilled water in that it not only removes chlorine, but also all the minerals in the water. Fish need those minerals. It's the chlorine and chloramine that they don't need. These types of elements can be removed by adding a product such as Amquel to tap water. If you want to use bottled water, choose spring water. It has no chlorine or chloramine, but still has the minerals which are necessary for healthy water. It isn't so much that you are using the Brita/distilled water for your betta/goldfish, but moreso that you didn't allow your water to cycle before adding your fish. Uncycled water will very quickly kill fish. Please don't use bowls for any fish, in the event that you are, because this too, kills fish. At least a 1 gallon for a betta and at least 10 gallons for one goldfish with excellent filtration for all fish and heat for the betta. Allow you water to cycle before adding any fish and you will have a better chance of them living. I'm glad that you are choosing to do research on starting up a bigger aquarium before getting the fish. A lot of knowledge goes a long way toward the happiness and health of fish. Good luck!

Answer 6

to start Brita water isn't bad, but not the best choice for fish. Bottled water is a little better as long as it isn't distilled. Distilled water has no mineral in. This lack of mineral causes reverse osmosis of mineral from your fish to the water. (killing your fish) I have always had good luck with tap water treated to remove chlorine and chloramine. If you want nicely colored fish with out going salt look into cichlids. Just remember they are territorial and aggressive. If you don't want to go that route consider small fish like neon tetra, rummynose tetra, cherry barbs and gourami. tetra are schooling fish and do best in odd numbers and groups of 5 to 11 usually.

For your betta, you probably changed too much water. By changing all of the water you remove all the beneficial bacteria from the water. These bacteria break ammonia (fish waste) nitrates, nitrites and other things like that. For the goldfish the same thing. Also goldfish need to be filtered and should not go into bowls. Goldfish need three gallons of water for every inch in length. As opposed to 1 gallon for tropical fish.

Hope this helps.

Answer 7

If i were you i would stop using bottled/filtered water for tank changes. Buy a container of stress coat and get a bucket with some type of gallon measurement inside (so that you can be sure that you are treating the right ammount). It's very probable that the Brita filter does not remove the chlorine, which the stress coat will ( i had a friend who forgot to remove the chlorine in her tank and it killed all the fish).

Answer 8

For colorful tropicals go to a pet store(not a discount store) and check out the beauty of cichlids, discus, and many of the tetras. Of course there are many many beautiful salt water fish, but that is for experienced fishateers.
Good luck!!!

Answer 9

In a 10 gallon tank, you don't have a lot of room. I would suggest platys for color and size and they are livebearers so they breed. I'm not quite sure why you want breeders though since the tank is so small and the betta will definitely eat whatever is born in the tank. In my 10 gallon, I have a black and red betta named Finding EMO, 3 black and red calico platys, 1 orange and yellow sunset platy, and 3 melon coloured golden danios. Oh...I just noticed the poster above me mentioned guppies: guppies would have been my first choice for you if you hadn't stated you were putting a betta in. Bettas see the flowing guppy tails and often mistake them for other male bettas and kill them. Don't put a betta in with guppies!

Answer 10

Brita Water Tank