Water for mixing ferts - Aquarium Advice

SparKy697 · 01-07-2007, 12:33 AM

Is there any benefit to using distilled water instead of tap water to mix ferts?

Jchillin · 01-07-2007, 12:37 AM

If you are not using it for your tank, using it to mix ferts isn't necessary. Tap is fine.

**Purrbox** · 01-07-2007, 12:41 AM

About the only problem with using Tap water is if you have Nitrates, Phosphates, etc in the water as it can throw off the actual amounts you are dosing. Despite having Nitrates in my tap water, I use it for mixing my ferts.

dapellegrini · 01-07-2007, 12:48 AM

Only if you are making a reference solution. In all other cases, it would be a waste of effort, IMO. Tap water works perfect. In fact I like to mix my dry ferts with warm/hot water to help it dissolve faster... then into the tank it goes...

IceH2O · 01-07-2007, 11:25 AM

I just throw the my ferts into my tank in the dry state( CaCl2,MgSO4,KNO3,K2SO4).

I used to go through the trouble of mixing but some would always be left in the bottle and I'd have to pull more water and shake and dump a couple of times. Dosing it dry I know its all getting into the tank.

dapellegrini · 01-07-2007, 12:16 PM

Ya, I just mix it in a measuring cup, let it all dissolve well (30 seconds), and then dump the measuring cup into the tank, and submerse it a bit in one of the path of a spraybar or powerhead, which sends it all over the place. I don't like raining the dry stuff in on the fish (who invariably put it in their mouths to see if it is food)...

In the beginning I bought a double-necked bottle for premixing, dosing, etc. Here is what I use today:

flushingfish · 01-07-2007, 12:32 PM

I am using one of those double neck bottles to mix a weeks worth of ferts at a time. That way I can dose every other day without getting out the spoons and cups. Just a couple of squirts in the morning before work, alternating macros and micros, and I'm good to go. I just find it more convenient for me to dissolve a weeks worth at a time and I use tap water as well.

SparKy697 · 01-07-2007, 04:10 PM

OK, since we are sharing I will show you my dungeon. Since the basement is my domain I took a corner of the laundry room and made myself a place to do my testing and mixing.

Pronounced La-bor-a-tory (with a transylvanian accent)

I too have concern over putting dry ferts in the tank with fish. For myself I like to use the glass pipettes to dispense most everything that is measured in ml.

Just because you need to be exact does not make you a control freak!!

rkilling1 · 01-07-2007, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flushingfish

I am using one of those double neck bottles to mix a weeks worth of ferts at a time. That way I can dose every other day without getting out the spoons and cups. Just a couple of squirts in the morning before work, alternating macros and micros, and I'm good to go. I just find it more convenient for me to dissolve a weeks worth at a time and I use tap water as well.

I use the 8 oz double necks and get about two weeks worth of dosing out of them. I also like the added convenience of the premixed ferts. I do dose the KNO3 dry.

flushingfish · 01-08-2007, 09:46 AM

[quote="SparKy697"]OK, since we are sharing I will show you my dungeon. Since the basement is my domain I took a corner of the laundry room and made myself a place to do my testing and mixing.

Pronounced La-bor-a-tory (with a transylvanian accent)

Looks like the lair of the mad Dr. Frankenfish. LOL

01-07-2007, 12:33 AM	#1
SparKy697 Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Northwest Indiana Posts: 1,213 Images: 3	Water for mixing ferts Is there any benefit to using distilled water instead of tap water to mix ferts? __________________ -Joe Click "My Info" for tank information. My 55g Tank Log Read About The Nitrogen Cycle Read About The Fishless Cycle

01-07-2007, 12:37 AM	#2
Jchillin Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New York, NY (The Big Apple) Posts: 12,970 Images: 47	If you are not using it for your tank, using it to mix ferts isn't necessary. Tap is fine. __________________ _________________________________

01-07-2007, 12:41 AM	#3
Purrbox Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Iowa USA Posts: 5,381	About the only problem with using Tap water is if you have Nitrates, Phosphates, etc in the water as it can throw off the actual amounts you are dosing. Despite having Nitrates in my tap water, I use it for mixing my ferts. __________________ ~Joy 10 Gallon Planted Photo Log - 5.5 Gallon Planted Photo Log - 2.5 Gallon Planted Photo Log - Pico Planted Photo Log

01-07-2007, 12:48 AM	#4
dapellegrini Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 870	Only if you are making a reference solution. In all other cases, it would be a waste of effort, IMO. Tap water works perfect. In fact I like to mix my dry ferts with warm/hot water to help it dissolve faster... then into the tank it goes... __________________ LIVE IN ARIZONA? COME CHECK US OUT!

01-07-2007, 11:25 AM	#5
IceH2O Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Rock Hill,SC Posts: 220	I just throw the my ferts into my tank in the dry state( CaCl2,MgSO4,KNO3,K2SO4). I used to go through the trouble of mixing but some would always be left in the bottle and I'd have to pull more water and shake and dump a couple of times. Dosing it dry I know its all getting into the tank. __________________ click my info if you're that curious.

01-07-2007, 12:16 PM	#6
dapellegrini Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 870	Ya, I just mix it in a measuring cup, let it all dissolve well (30 seconds), and then dump the measuring cup into the tank, and submerse it a bit in one of the path of a spraybar or powerhead, which sends it all over the place. I don't like raining the dry stuff in on the fish (who invariably put it in their mouths to see if it is food)... In the beginning I bought a double-necked bottle for premixing, dosing, etc. Here is what I use today: __________________ LIVE IN ARIZONA? COME CHECK US OUT!

01-07-2007, 12:32 PM	#7
flushingfish Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: flushing, ny Posts: 241 Images: 12	I am using one of those double neck bottles to mix a weeks worth of ferts at a time. That way I can dose every other day without getting out the spoons and cups. Just a couple of squirts in the morning before work, alternating macros and micros, and I'm good to go. I just find it more convenient for me to dissolve a weeks worth at a time and I use tap water as well. __________________ It swims therefore it is 20 Gallon planted community 4 neon tetras 3 head and tail light tetras 4 white cloud minnows 2 marble hatchets 4 poleatus cories 1 freshwater flounder 1 japonica shrimp 4 Otos

01-07-2007, 04:10 PM	#8
SparKy697 Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Northwest Indiana Posts: 1,213 Images: 3	OK, since we are sharing I will show you my dungeon. Since the basement is my domain I took a corner of the laundry room and made myself a place to do my testing and mixing. Pronounced La-bor-a-tory (with a transylvanian accent) I too have concern over putting dry ferts in the tank with fish. For myself I like to use the glass pipettes to dispense most everything that is measured in ml. Just because you need to be exact does not make you a control freak!! __________________ -Joe Click "My Info" for tank information. My 55g Tank Log Read About The Nitrogen Cycle Read About The Fishless Cycle

01-08-2007, 09:46 AM	#10
flushingfish Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: flushing, ny Posts: 241 Images: 12	[quote="SparKy697"]OK, since we are sharing I will show you my dungeon. Since the basement is my domain I took a corner of the laundry room and made myself a place to do my testing and mixing. Pronounced La-bor-a-tory (with a transylvanian accent) Looks like the lair of the mad Dr. Frankenfish. LOL __________________ It swims therefore it is 20 Gallon planted community 4 neon tetras 3 head and tail light tetras 4 white cloud minnows 2 marble hatchets 4 poleatus cories 1 freshwater flounder 1 japonica shrimp 4 Otos

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