can you use tap water in a aquarium?or do you have to use bottled or distilled water?

Answer 1

I have always used tap water and treat the aquarium with chlorine remover which is available from your pet store. Check with your pet/fish store first though as the area you live in may already be treated and no other treatment will be needed. But never use distilled water.

Answer 2

I'm with I Be Whoever - it depends. Generally speaking, I'd say tap water is fine, as long as you dechlorinate it. Fish recommended for beginners can tolerate a wide range of pH and hardness. I happen to live in an area with really soft water and I don't keep sensitive fish. But If I needed to make salt water or hard water, I can just add stuff to it and probably be ok.

OTOH, if you live in an area with really hard water and you keep either saltwater fish or fish that need soft water, then the answer would probably be no. You'd have to use distilled water or get a RO (reverse osmosis) machine or something.

PS - I always treat water because sitting for 24 hours will get out chlorine, but not chloramine. I don't know what my water company uses, so better safe than sorry...

Answer 3

Dechlorinated tap water is actually better for your fish than bottled, distilled or filtered water. Tap water has nutrients added to it that are beneficial to fish that bottled, distilled or filtered water do not have. Use a product like Am-Quell or Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Tap Water Conditioner that will instantly remove chlorine from tap water.

Answer 4

Yes, No, and Maybe.

It depends on your tap water and what kind of fish. Some fish need harder water, some need softer water. Some require certain pH levels that will be met in your area's tap water, others do better by using something else. You first need to find out what the requirements are for the fish you plan to keep.

If you are using tap water, you will need to treat it to remove the chlorine or chloramines but you first need to find out which of these are used in your local water supply. Although chlorine will evaporate in about 24 hours, chloramine will not. Also, popular treatments tend to treat the chlorine part releasing the ammonia part into the water which will then need to be treated before being used in an aquarium.

Answer 5

If you're into aquariums for the long-haul, I'd recommend getting a deionizer. They cost roughly $30, plug directly into your water faucet, and remove 99% of the impurities in your water supply. The one that I use, Aquarium Pharmacuticals Tap Water Filter, comes with a Ph adjuster as well as mineral replenisher. Normal tap water has many mineral nutrients in micro amounts that are necessary for proper fish health. This allows you to have a much higher control over your water supply that simply relying on the filtering process at your local water processing plant.

One other note, do NOT use hot water to control the temperature of your replacement water. The majority of hot water supplies flow through copper pipes. Copper is very toxic to fish, just as bad as chlorine is. Get a plastic bucket, that you only use for your fish, and a small aquarium water heater setup overnight. That way when you're ready to clean your tank the next day, you already have your replacement water fully ready.

Answer 6

Bottled water in most instances is regular tap water that has been filtered, much like you can do at home. True distilled water is collected from the steam of boiling water, it is best used in humidifiers and steam irons for example, as the minerals are removed.

Answer 7

Tap water is fine(and more convenient) IF you treat it. You have to treat it and remove the chlorine. Otherwise, they will die. Stuff for that is readily available in the fish section of a pet store. Actually, I have heard distilled water lacks minerals that are actually good for fish, so don't use that. Spring water is ok. Good luck!

Answer 8

My step-dad always used tap water but he let it sit for 24 hours, apparently the chlorine evaporates.

However a few years ago there was some sort of small parasite in the water that while safe to water killed all the fish.

Answer 9

If you use tap water, try getting some water conditioner. If you want to, let if sit for about 24 hours and then use it.

If bottled water, you could eaily make an execption.

Answer 10

You can use tap water but you have to let it sit for 24 hours in the sun. Just put it in a bucket and set it by a window.