The Puffer Forum

is there anything i can use apart from water conditioner to make tap water safe for fish?? because of the heavy snow, i havent been able 2 get to lfs for some more, and now its completely gone and i need 2 do some water changes :S could still b another week before i can get there man!

I'm not sure about this.... you might have to get a second opinion.

Letting water stand overnight will evaporate any chlorine thats in it. I would also recommend boiling the water for a few hours to kill any biological contaminants.Boiling it will not completely purify it though, because heavy minerals (like copper) will not evaporate with the steam, but they will float to the top of the water. If you boil it, scoop up anything that gathers at the top.

Thats the only thing I can think of that you can do without using de-chlorinating chemicals..

I would say that you are probably okay with letting the water sit for 24 hours or more, but I would not use it in less time if you can't add some conditioner.
We're having alot of snow too, luckily I have enough Prime to last me a while.
Good luck!

I think you can let water stand, but not sure for how long.
Maybe you could melt some snow!!!

Unless you are having water quality issues (high ammonia etc) you would be fine missing a water change for a week or so.

Are you on city water or does your house have a well? If you are on a well, you're fine, your well water won't have any chlorine or chloromines in it.

If you are on city water, you are not fine.. but letting the water sit out 24 hours may or may not work. Chlorine does dissipate but chloromines, which more and more cities are using, do not. Which is why more cities are using them, they last longer and keep the water safe longer. So you can call your local water department and ask them which they use.

Or just order some dechlor online and have it shipped. If you go with a more local company, they'll probably get it to you by Monday or Tuesday and the price will likely be cheaper than going to a store to buy it, hehe.

I am on well water, but our pipes are rusty (house is only years old WTH?) We have the pipes flushed regularily, but frankly, the water is smelly and sometimes tinted brown or yellow, so I use Tetra Aquasafe just in case.

I don't see how Aquasafe would help anything in that case. You'd probably be better off running the water through an RV filter (or better yet, if you don't have one, install a "whole house" filter, they are relatively easy to install, not too expensive and can make a huge difference in smell and color, look at Menards).

I'm with Bigfatfish...if you aren't seeing any negative water tests then I'd try to wait it out..As long as your tank isn't overstocked you should be fine. How long ago was your last water change?

I wouldn't normally tell someone to skip a water change but if there is a chance that the new water will be unsafe I'd be inclined to wait. While waiting you could set some water out just in case you really need to use it..If you are on well water then a lot of the impurities will settle at the bottom of the container..You may also be able to get it shipped to you as Myaj mentioned..

Myaj wrote:I don't see how Aquasafe would help anything in that case. You'd probably be better off running the water through an RV filter (or better yet, if you don't have one, install a "whole house" filter, they are relatively easy to install, not too expensive and can make a huge difference in smell and color, look at Menards).

We have an RODI unit as well, but only for drinking. And I usually use that for water changes. But I originally filled the tank with well water cuz the RO/DI unit only has a 1 gallon an hour filtration rate.

When the plumber came he said that the well we have was drilled near a very large copper deposit....and with the rusty pipes that all contributes to the smell and color. Really just a whole lot of bad luck. None of our neighbours have issues with their water though.

Yep, well water is weird. My old house, we had "sweet water". Hard as a rock but tasted great. My mom now lives a few miles from there, and the water tastes very "minerally" but is clear and okay to drink. My ex lives a few miles in another direction, his water comes out of the tap rusty and ruins your clothes, etc.. My other friend lives a few miles in another direction and her well water looks good, but smells like rotten eggs!

The RV filters are cheap and just screw inline to a hose, so they are easy to use, and really do take out a lot of sediment and odors you get from well water. You can buy them at Walmart, in the camping/RV supplies section. I personally like the whole house filters, its not something as fancy as a RODI unit, but it takes out the colors and smells big time, which makes washing clothes and bathing a heck of a lot nicer! Where I used to live, with the rusty water, my clothes were all brown/yellowish and my hair went this funky reddish orange color, ugh.

Sorry for the hijack rachy!

Not to mention the rust stains on the tub and basin!

Grrr yeah. And my ex insisted on going with tile in the shower when we remodeled. Guess who got to sit there with rubber gloves, a toothbrush and industrial solvent trying to get the rust out of the grout? And he wonders why he's the "ex" LOL

Myaj wrote:I don't see how Aquasafe would help anything in that case.

Heavy metals could still be in the water, though, right?

Bottled water??