tap water conditioner suggestions

[Fitz548192]

What up everybody few things. Was wondering what?s a good tap water conditioner. I?ve been paying for 5 gallon deer park bottles for the past 4 years for my freshwater tank and its getting to much for me, any suggestions? Also are there any other products I should get making the switch to tap water/anything in general that will do my tank good. Thanks I appreciate it

[LiVe4fIsH]

Hey there Fitz. I thought I would reply to your concern because I recently switch over to tap water for my f/w tank from RO water that I was using ever since I started up my tank. A few things that you need to check before you make the switch is what are the parameter readings of your tap water source and how closely are these parameters to the parameters of your tank water right now. If the parameters of the two water sources come out pretty close, then the switch over will be easy. Simply use the new water source (tap water) for your w/c water. When you add the new water source into the tank, it can be 100% the new water. This new tap water will become diluted with your old water that is inside of your tank and the new water will not become concentrated until you perform multiple w/c (if your w/c is roughly around 25-35% a change). As for finding the right dechlorination product for your tap water; there are numerous products that are recognized and your LFS will have at least 3 to 4 products that do a great job. Please let us know what the parameters are for both the water sources. Good luck and let us know if you have any other questions or concerns with your switch over.

Izzy

[Fitz548192]

Thanks Izzy for responding so quickly. Well I wouldn't say im a beginner because iv had many fish tanks over there years but never really got into the water testing which I know I should have. By Parameter reading do you mean Carbonate hardness, pH, nitrate,and ammonia/nitrite. What would I have to buy to get theses reading? I'm really trying to get into every aspect of keeping my tank healthy. I'm really glad you told me about the parameter reading or I would of just got the water conditioner can't thank you enough

[LiVe4fIsH]

Your idea of parameters is right. By testing the levels of these will prevent any problematic issues that could take the lives of your fish very quickly during this change. Your LFS should carry a wide variety of test kits that will include most if not all of these parameters. If you are not up for purchasing these test kits right now, ask your LFS to test your waters' levels and make sure that you right down what these levels are, so that you may compare the two sources. Let us know how the levels compare to each other as soon as you find out what they are so that you may start the process of changing over to tap quickly and safely.

Izzy

[Fitz548192]

Sounds good ill have it tested tomorrow and let you know results. thanks again