Can I use tap water?

[Dr. Dendrostein]

Can I use tap water to make my saltwater for my aquarium if I boil it first? If so, how long should I let it sit before I do my next water change??

If boiling must be small amout. Is the a store near you with RO water dispenser. I buy 5 gallons RO water at $1.60 just a thought.

But if have to use tap water, use a water conditioner. Aerate(salt mix) for 2 days, then use

 

[stanleo]

yes. I have instant ocean sea salt mix now. And I have 3 fish. A clown fish, yellow tang, and blue hippo tang.

how are you keeping these fish now? I am a little concerned that this store sold you fish and a tank at the same time and just expected it to all work out. I'm sorry they did that to you. A blue hippo is a fragile fish and should only be added to a tank that is established ie a year old are older. I probably missed something though.

 

[Jon Fishman]

Read the rest of your posts too. From what I can tell, you have a Hippo, and Yellow tang, in addition to what other clowns etc you have.

You also have an anemone, and at least some coral.

15g tank? When and what is the “new” tank?

It would still need to cycle. I suggest taking all fish back to the store. This is on them. At this point it doesn’t matter what water you use..... you’re running a recipe for disaster right now

 

[Halal Hotdog]

Read the rest of your posts too. From what I can tell, you have a Hippo, and Yellow tang, in addition to what other clowns etc you have.

You also have an anemone, and at least some coral.

15g tank? When and what is the “new” tank?

It would still need to cycle. I suggest taking all fish back to the store. This is on them. At this point it doesn’t matter what water you use..... you’re running a recipe for disaster right now

All these fish are in a 15 gallon tank? The tangs will eventually die in there. You definitely want to return the fish. Next you want to start reading up on saltwater aquariums and what fish need. If you can join a local club then that will be a great resource for you. Saltwater isn't overly difficult but you need to learn a decent amount of information to do it successfully. Just like any pet, knowing the animals requirements is critical to keeping it happy.

 

[Evan28395950]

+1 use distilled, it’s what I use, unless you have a rodi unit

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

I will definitely look into a RODI filter. I just did not know anything about it when I started the process and definitely intend on getting one soon. I want to save my tank and my fish.

When you have some time, watch the Bulk Reef Supply 360 series. That’ll help you figure out exactly how to set up a tank.

 

[Fishurama]

yes. I already have livestock. The store I was going to start did not tell me everything I needed. Basically just sold me a tank and some fish. So I’m trying to figure it all out before everything dies.

If this is how everything happened, IE they sold you fish and a tank and you just added new saltwater thats your issue. Your ammonia levels must be through the roof. The sad thing is the store you went to screwed you out of money and fish out of life. To be honest and blunt, the chance of your fish surviving are slim. They are most likely getting ammonia burn and slowly dying. Its best to return them ASAP and thats not to mention tangs need 100 gallon+ tanks generally(yellows can get away with smaller)
Since everything didn't get a chance to cycle it will all most likely slowly die.(like what you are seeing on your other thread)
Take every thing out, return it, and cycle your tank.

Heavy breathing

My tank is still relatively new and have been having a lot of problems with the water. I’ve been treating it consistently and it’s getting better but not right yet. But this morning I woke up and all the fish have been breathing heavy for a few hours and my yellow tang is white around the eyes...

www.reef2reef.com

link to learn how to cycle tank

 

[Podworski08]

Can I use tap water to make my saltwater for my aquarium if I boil it first? If so, how long should I let it sit before I do my next water change??

I really don’t suggest it. There are to many unknowns in tap water and the city or town can increase or decrease additives without notice. Chlorine, phosphates, copper from pipes and other trace metals. It’s a unhealthy for fish and other livestock and like pouring fertilizer for algae. In the past if I needed water in a snap I’ll go get a couple gallons of distilled water from the supermarket for 89c. I have since invested in a RODI system which has already paid for itself butween buying RODI water at the LFS or distilled water from the supermarket.

 

[LadyMac]

AQUATIC LIFE RO Buddie Four Stage Osmosis System, 50-gal - Chewy.com

Buy Aquatic Life RO Buddie Four Stage Osmosis System, 50-gal at Chewy.com. FREE shipping and the BEST customer service!

www.chewy.com

This is what I use. Super simple to set up and it works well. It would at least do you until you can go for something more expensive.

 

[Jon Fishman]

It’s likely the tank isn’t cycled. It’s not good to encourage him/her to get distilled/rodi/whatever.
RETURN THE FISH

After you return the fish, people can help you prepare to properly start a tank

 

[Tamberav]

Read the rest of your posts too. From what I can tell, you have a Hippo, and Yellow tang, in addition to what other clowns etc you have.

You also have an anemone, and at least some coral.

15g tank? When and what is the “new” tank?

It would still need to cycle. I suggest taking all fish back to the store. This is on them. At this point it doesn’t matter what water you use..... you’re running a recipe for disaster right now

Ah this might be the guy who posted on another forum....had two tangs...clown...bubble tip...some other corals in a new Fluval Evo.

He was told to return them.

 

[Jon Fishman]

Ah this might be the guy who posted on another forum....had two tangs...clown...bubble tip...some other corals in a new Fluval Evo.

He was told to return them.

He said he is getting a new tank, and this is temporary, as his “big” tank cracked. No idea how he had a big tank without any water source previously, or how any of these were cycled.....


So I’m guessing they weren’t

 

[Dymond]

Ah this might be the guy who posted on another forum....had two tangs...clown...bubble tip...some other corals in a new Fluval Evo.

He was told to return them.

i don’t have all of that nor do I have a fluval tank.

 

[MnFish1]

Can I use tap water to make my saltwater for my aquarium if I boil it first? If so, how long should I let it sit before I do my next water change??

Hi - There is no reason to 'boil tap water'. If anything that would concentrate any toxins, metals (as the pure water boils off). If you have a fish only tank - you can use tap water - with the appropriate conditioners - but you might have more issues with algae, etc depending on whats in your tap water. If you're planning on corals - definitely not.

But in either case - no boiling

 

[Dymond]

He said he is getting a new tank, and this is temporary, as his “big” tank cracked. No idea how he had a big tank without any water source previously, or how any of these were cycled.....


So I’m guessing they weren’t

previously I just kept doing water changes. I used RO water before but do not have any on hand which is why I asked about doing it an alternate way. Just trying to learn how to do things on my own without having to go to the store every day.

 

[Tamberav]

i don’t have all of that nor do I have a fluval tank.

Apologize then. It just looks similar in the photos then.

Buy distilled....lots of water changes....dose biospira.

Returning the fish is probably less costly even if you have to rebuy them then the cost of salt and water and so on to keep a uncycled tank with fish in it. You could lose them anyways in a new tank.

 

[Jon Fishman]

Is the Anemone still alive?

If it dies it will wreck a 15g

 

[MnFish1]

PS I'd like an explanation from 'someone' - as to why a tank (with fish only) can't be set up with tap water - there are no major toxins that will harm fish - that are in tap water (that cant be neutralized) - the only problem is tapping off the water with tap water for evaporation MIGHT cause problems. If he/she is doing water changes - even that SHOULD not be a problem. But the best would be to use RO/DI, distilled water for new top offs (clearly).

 

[Tamberav]

The less costly and less time consuming way is having a cycled tank before you buy livestock. If your big tank was cycled then that means you would have had live cycled rock to put in your 15g.

 

[Jon Fishman]

The less costly and less time consuming way is having a cycled tank before you buy livestock. If your big tank was cycled then that means you would have had live cycled rock to put in your 15g.

You tell me:

Did my anemone kill my gsp?

I added an anemone to my tank yesterday and placed it on my live rock with my gsp. It seemed to migrate towards my gsp and made it close. I moved my gsp to the corner of my tank but it’s been about 24 hours and it still has not reopened. Did my anemone sting and kill it?

www.reef2reef.com