thesilvershark

I have this fish tank about 40 galloons for nearly 8 months. currently having 15 fishes. 2 months ago, I have been start changing the water by using rain water, cos one of my friends told me that he always use rain water instead of the tap water. this is because there are less chemicals and would be more healthy for the fish. Hence, I did not use any bioclear and water conditioner. I have not changed the water for 4-5 weeks, the fishes are still living happily.... and these 2 paradise fishes grow bigger and more colourful too....
and i have done ammonia test today, and turned out that the water is in very good condition. Also, i have made my tank to be having black water effect since i started using rain water....

so just wondering if anyone uses rain water instead of tap water like me and my friend? *is it really better to use rain water? due to less chemicals? does black water effect good for the fish? i know it will lower the pH naturally (do i don't have to put any chemcials to lower or raise the pH, so i would save $$$$$$$$ and the fish will not experience any chemicals, but some people told me that it also decreases the chances of the fishes getting disease and sick, is that true?

Fishface

Using rain water is a very bad idea. As clouds move through the atmosphere, the rain picks up plenty of toxic chemicals from pollution and precipitates the chemicals down to the ground when it falls. Have you ever heard of acid rain? Google 'acid rain'. Maybe you've been lucky so far, but I would stop doing it. It could make your fish really sick, or even kill them.

vin

Blackwater, as in wastewater??

COBettaCouple

Have you tested what the water parameters are on that rain water? I'd never try rainwater here.. too much toxins.

thesilvershark

Black water is not wastewater ~ black water means the natural acids that come out from the log, which makes the water have this yellow colour or teat colour affect......... i heard that is good for breeding fish too , especailly for those discus.

thesilvershark

I have heard of acid rain long time ago... but the thing is acid rain happens globally.... and rains just fall back into the ocean, lakes etc... but fishes still survive and live...... but well, i'll take your advice and stop using rainwater....

COBettaCouple

actually the oceans population is diminishing as they become polluted more. the local fishing boats don't bring in the same kind of hauls that they used to 10-15 years ago.

vin

I asked because the only black water I've ever heard of is waste water....I see that blackwater is actually the tannins from rotting wood that are added to the water. Sort of like peat would be used for gourami.

As for Acid Rain - yes, it does happen globally and falls into all bodies of water - however, the first several inches of every rain is acid rain in it's highest concentration. That's where the difference lies....In large bodies of water there is dilution. In a bucket of rain water there is concentration.

vin

Actually what's causing the fish pop to decline is the changing water temperatures.....What once were thriving habitats have changed because the water tempertatures have either warmed too much or cooled too much. For example what's happening here up in the northeast with the warmer winter temps is causing water temps to be warmer than they used to be which is causing the local winter flounder population to decrease. This is because they are going further off shore into cooler waters. While there is no huge die off, the numbers caught locally have decreased because conditions are no longer favorable to the fish.

Overfishing is another problem. Years ago the striped bass population had decreased. So the DEP placed stricter limits on size and decreased creel limits...Now the poplulation has seen a resurgence as a result and you're seeing many more big fish as a result.

Though that's not to say that polution doesn't have some effect on fish. In fact, I just read that there are some areas (in Maryland I think) that are calling for a ban on certain fertilizers and pesticides because it's having an effect on fish sexing....These certain chemicals are causing female tendencies to appear in male fish......