Water for Top Offs (from Evaporation)

[Debra Mark]

I just order a w/c and supervise it (that way I don't have to actually TOUCH the water)

 

[Lupin]

I just order a w/c and supervise it (that way I don't have to actually TOUCH the water)

You're allergic to the water, Deb?:evil_lol:

I don't top off water. I just change the water.

 

[fl4ian]

for everybody that is using tap water with a dechlor product, how do you keep your GH hardness from accumulating over time? that is my main issue, and I thought it would be a common issue...

 

[Star_Rider]

RO
I keep a reef/marine tank so I have a RO /DI unit.


we don't have high humidity so i lose a bunch thru evap.
my marine tank loses about 1 g per day. my FW tanks lose a total of about 2

using RO/DI , distilled etc is the only way to be sure you are not adding any minerals to add to GH.

 

[McLendon]

Might wanna re-think that one.. this is a common mistake made by people with well-water

your correct that your water isnt chlorinated... but there is still many things in well-water that can be harmfull to fish (heavy metals for one)

might wanna think about buying some prime.


as far as the post... I fill a bucket with tap water-- dose it with dechlorinator.. and use it to top off my tanks

I have fish that spawn and raise fry in all of my tanks
So I feel real safe in saying
That I have no reason to treat the water

 

[Inka4040]

for everybody that is using tap water with a dechlor product, how do you keep your GH hardness from accumulating over time? that is my main issue, and I thought it would be a common issue...

If you're changing water often enough and in sufficient enough quantity, this should not be an issue.

 

[Star_Rider]

If you're changing water often enough and in sufficient enough quantity, this should not be an issue.

not in every case.

some folks live in a dry climate. they may lose several gallons in their tanks due to evaporation during the week.

they might have to add water to their tanks to compensate for this loss.
over time even with water changes you will build up gh/tds in the tank.

 

[Canuck]

Might wanna re-think that one.. this is a common mistake made by people with well-water

your correct that your water isnt chlorinated... but there is still many things in well-water that can be harmfull to fish (heavy metals for one)

Generally speaking, if its safe for you to drink, its fine for you fish.

 

[Hebily]

If you have any evap, the remaining tank water is higher concentration of everything non-volatile. So, say you have a gal/week loss, and do 3 gal water change. You pull out two gal of higher conc water. The remaining water is still higher conc. You add three gal of normal conc water, diluting the conc in the tank. The tank concentration of non-volatiles is still slightly higher than before. You want SOME mineral content in the tank, this is good for the fish... too high is bad. Also, Cl- is non-volatile. If you properly use dechlor, this shouldn't be a prob, but if there is any chlorine in your water those trace amounts will build up over time. Because of these, and other potentially dangerous non-volatile chemicals, it is good practice to add some DI periodically, depending on your evap rate. However, you should not add only DI, unless you add other things to replace the missing minerals, ions and the like. In theory, all evaporated water is DI (assuming no entrainment, which is not the case) and should be replaced with DI. It can get pretty tricky... Just keep an eye on General Hardness and Total Dissolved Solids over time, and if either goes up too much, add some DI to bring it back to normal. It won't take a lot, relative to the size of the tank. Most of us don't have enough evap to have to worry about this for years... it also depends on the quality of water used in changes....

 

[Hebily]

Some dechlorinators cause precipitation of heavy metals and some minerals... if this is the case with yours, you should never have to worry about it.... bad stuff doesn't build up, it becomes substrate.... removed on vaccuuming...