Rain Water

[vanimal]

I was wondering if it would be ok to add rain water to my aquarium. Would it be good or bad for my fish?

 

[jlk]

Rainwater naturally has a ph I believe around 5.5- 5.8 range. Some urbanized areas have drastically lower phs due to pollution (3 or lower). So, although I would say rainwater may be 'generally' safe for aquariums, you will need to be very careful with how it is affecting your ph values and your tank's stability overall. I would not want to play with this chemistry personally in a tank although I do monitor it in my pond.

 

[vanimal]

Ok thanks, well my tap water is about 7.8 and in my tank 7.4 so do you think I could add some rain water to lower it?

 

[jlk]

Just my opinion, but I wouldnt add any without knowing the parameters of the rainwater in your area and how it compares to your tank water. The Api test does not test lower than a ph of 6. You may wind up on a slippery slope that will be difficult to control. You could try testing various dilutions of tap/rainwater mix for ph, kh, & gh to see what may be feasible for your tank but I think this may be more work than its worth. Lets see what some of our other experts have to say!

 

[vanimal]

Ok thanks for your help. It seems like too much work, I don't think ill do it.

 

[Ram897]

What is rain? I seem to have forgotten....

Sorry.... Just kinda struck me as funny this morning after my $200 water bill just trying to keep the lawn and trees alive in this drought.

 

[Steelhawke]

I was just thinking the opposite, when will the dang rain stop, rain every dang day....also with the rain water, I think you would be careful with what you catch it in, how long it sits outside and I don't think I would use it without heavy filtration first. Just seems like there could be a lot of pollutants in there. Just my opinion.