Tropical Fish Forum

Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice => Fishtank Filtration and Cycling => Topic started by: Moby on August 22, 2021, 07:58:11 AM

Title: Rainwater
Post by: Moby on August 22, 2021, 07:58:11 AM

Hi, I’ve just started to keep fish that prefer softer water.With regular water changes I must have 70% rainwater.Iam using a water butt in the garden.Would this explain why nitrates are always on the low side.
Thks.

Title: Re: Rainwater
Post by: Sue on August 22, 2021, 09:25:06 AM

Rainwater is pure water, nothing dissolved in it. No hardness minerals, no nitrate, no carbonate (KH).

I say it's pure water but in areas where there is air pollution, or near agricultural areas which regularly spray crops, contaminants do dissolve in the rain as it falls. As do bird droppings on a roof where the rain is collected. If there are none of these, rainwater is good to use.