Shawn H

I am new to the hobby and doing the research before buying my first tank. I've decided to go with a large tank (125 gallons). I've been to many web sites and read the start up section in Fish Lore but cannot find anything about Well Water vs. City Water. My water comes from a deep well that is run through a softener. Although I do not have the concerns about chlorine as those on city water, I am worried about other contaminants that may exist from a well. What should I do to ensure the water I put in my tank is safe? How do I check for water hardness? I'm pretty sure I have no copper in the water but iron may exist. When does iron become harmful and how do I check for it? Any help I can get would be great.

Thanks

Shawn

Mini Fish

Hi Shawn!
Don't put tap water into the fish tank. It kills the fish. If you use any water, let it sit out a full 24 hours before putting it into your tank. Hope this helps!

Lindsey

Dino

With well water, he can put it directly into the tank.
There was over 1000 gallons changed out in my fishhouse this week, and replaced with water directly from the tap.

I too have a well.

pistorta

I have used tap water out of a well ~125' deep and found it to be better quality than city water. It ran through a water softener just like yours and there was no reason to let it sit. A variety of test kits are available to test for iron and water hardness. Live plants will feed off iron (as will algae) and your water softener will not do you any harm (it is likely to be a good thing to have).

capekate

Hi Lindsey
what kind of tap water do you have that kills your fish? You can use tap water as long as you also add a water conditioner to the tank water. Do you use tap for drinking or is there problems with your water?
I use well water and replace right away without letting it sit for hours and I always use a water conditioner such as prime when replacing tank water my fish are doing great.


~ kate

Dino

The only problems with some softeners is that they replace metal ions, with sodium ions.

Long term, this could cause problems.

Shawn H

Thanks for the info. My well is over 200' deep. I will be putting live plants in the tank when I set it up. I read iron is good for the plants but wasn't sure about the fish. I was worried about the sodium ions but heard that a little salt is good for the fish especially if they are enjured. True or False? Thanks again for the tips. I'm sure I'll have more questions before its all said and done.

Shawn

Dino

The salt thing is debatable.

I do not use salt in my freshwater tanks.

Other folks use it in every tank.

What it does do is causes the fish's slime coat to kick into overdrive, as salt is an irritant to freshwater fish.

To use one of CWC's analogy's, a human could do the same thing by scratching their skin to the point it is covered in scabs, as scabs are thicker than regular skin and thus better able to keep germs out.

pistorta

Aquarium salt is ok if you do not have scaleless fish. Cory cats are one example of a fish that it will harm or hurt.

Gozer_1

I'm inclined to agree with Dino. Salt is for salt water. I like CWCs analogy.