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Guppies lifespan and health depend on water. So, it is important to know guppies water type.
So, what kind of water to use for guppies? This question is often raised in forums, but the simple answer is before selecting a water type for guppies you need to know the impact, benefits and drawbacks of using it.
Let’s discuss and find out the best water type for guppies.
Table of Contents
What Type Of Water For Guppies
Water Types For Guppies |
| Tap Water Pros – Available at home Cons – Need to be treated – Water parameters fluctuate |
| Spring Water Pros – Available in a nearby store – Stabilizes pH level Cons – Costly for a big guppy tank – Difficult to check the source of spring water – Brand to brand quality changes |
| Rain Water Pros – Get for free Cons – Low in minerals – Polluted and acidic – Swifts pH level – Uncertain |
| Distilled Water Pros – Easily available at local store Cons – Not suitable for large aquarium – Expensive as to be used for every water change – Use remineralizer |
| Well Water Pros – Available at home – Chlorine-free Cons – Low dissolved oxygen – Toxins and dangerous bacteria – Need to adjust water parameters |
Can Guppies Live In Tap Water?
Yes, guppies can live in tap water if it is treated. As tap water is safe for humans but harmful for guppies gills.
So, you might be thinking why is tap water unsafe for guppies?
Tap water contains chlorine, lead and mercury which will kill guppies very soon. Chlorine helps in purifying tap water and killing the bacteria which makes good drinking water for humans. But this chemical even in small proportion is unsafe for guppies.
How long can guppies live in tap water? Guppies cannot live in untreated tap water. So next question comes how to prepare tap water good for guppies?
How To Make Tap Water Safe For Guppies
You must treat tap water to make safe for guppies, you can opt for any listed ways to prepare chlorine-free water for aquarium:
1) Evaporation
One of the easiest ways to remove chlorine from water is to let the water settle. It takes 1 to 5 days for chlorine to evaporate.
2) Airstone
Adding an air stone quickens the evaporation process by aerating the water within 12 to 24 hours it dechlorinates tap water.
3) Boiling the tap water
You can boil tap water for 15-20 minutes which evaporates chlorine and make it safe for guppies.
4) Water Conditioner treatment
I use API Tap Water Conditioner to instantly remove all toxins present in tap water.
You can select one option to get best water quality for guppies. Always remember to test water parameters before adding in guppy tank. This way by treating tap water guppies can survive in tap water.
Is Spring Water Good For Guppies?
Yes, spring water is good for guppies but you need to consider below points before using spring water type for guppies:
Natural spring water is clean and pure which contains calcium, magnesium and other essential minerals good for guppies health. But nowadays, it is important to know from where the spring water is located. If it is near big cities or industrial area, then spring water is polluted with dangerous chemicals. Hence, in this case will cause adverse effect on guppy fish.
Some bottled spring water brands use chemicals to produce it, so it no more remains natural spring water which gives benefits to guppies. Before selecting spring water bottle brand for fish tank, you should do research on processing and source of spring water.
Before using spring water for guppies check whether ideal water parameters are achieved or not.
The use of spring water is beneficial for keeping pH level steady and the disadvantage is very costly and not suitable for big fish tank.
Can Guppies Live In Rain Water?
No, guppies cannot live in rain water.
There are many reasons why you should not use rain water for guppies:
1. Rain water has very low minerals content leads to poor growth of guppies.
2. The rain forms from air pollution as well as it is slightly acidic. So, if you use rain water without treating then guppies die.
3. There is constant fluctuation in pH levels which creates stress on guppies and prone to diseases.
4. Rains are uncertain and it becomes difficult to solely depend on rain water.
Test rain water before using for guppies. You should treat rain water and verify it attains optimum water parameters and makes safe for guppies.
Can Guppies Live In Distilled Water?
No, guppies cannot live in distilled water.
Distilled water is prepared by boiling water which removes all the impurity, bacteria, and minerals in water. All the beneficial minerals are removed from water; hence the KH level is 0 which imbalances pH level. Therefore, distilled water is not good for guppies.
If you are thinking to use distilled water in guppy tank, then you should check mineral content and stabilize pH range plus water hardness. There are two key reasons why you should not use distilled water for guppies:
– Too expensive
– Lacks essential nutrients
To solve this problem, you can remineralize distilled water before use.
How To Remineralize Distilled Water For Guppies?
You should add baking soda, Epsom salt and calcium chloride to remineralize distilled water for guppies.
I personally use Seachem Equilibrium to mineralize distilled water. Further, adding distilled water in regular tap water aids in reducing water hardness.
This mineralization makes distilled water safe for guppies.
Can Guppies Live In Well Water?
No, guppies cannot live in well water. Basically, well water is groundwater with low oxygen, containment but free from chlorine.
There are some problems with well water which make it unsafe for guppies:
– The groundwater near to industrial area or agricultural have many harmful bacteria and toxins such as ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite.
– Unsure of pH range as it varies due to location which makes water acidic or alkaline.
– Well water is either soft or hard which depends on area where you live.
– There is low level of oxygen concentration in well water.
How To Make Well Water Safe For Guppies?
This step helps to make well water safe for guppies:
1. You need to measure well water parameters with Safe Home Well Water Test Kit.
2. Next, filter will help to purify well water.
3. You should now adjust water hardness (pH, GH and KH) to reach optimal parameters.
Ideal Water Parameters For Guppies
| Water Temperature 72°F–82°F (22°C – 28°C) |
| Potential Hydrogen (pH) 6.8 – 7.8pH |
| General Hardness (GH) 6 – 8 dGH |
| Carobonate Hardness (KH) 4 – 8 dKH |
| Ammonia 0 |
| Nitrate 0 |
| Nitirite Less than 40ppm |
Conclusion
Every fishkeeper have preferences for guppies water type, so is for me. I use tap water to perform water change, but I dechlorinate normal tap water before using it.
So, you can definitely choose your favorite water type for guppies but consider above pros and cons before doing it.
If you have any question, you can ask in the comment box.
FAQS
Is Reverse Osmosis Water OK for Fish?
Yes, reverse osmosis water is ok for guppies when you mineralize before using in freshwater tank.
Can Guppies Live In Bottled Water?
No, guppies cannot live in bottled water as is purified or filtered or spring water, so there is no impurities and beneficial minerals.
Can Guppy Survive In Muddy Water?
No, guppy cannot live in dirty water as it is harmful and creates stress which results to many health issues.
Happy Guppy Keeping!
I am Alexa with 5+ years of experience in fishkeeping industry with expertise in taking care of guppies, aquariums, and dealing with diseases. Moreover, I am lovely wife, dedicated mom, and passionate guppy fish keeper. If you are into guppy fish keeping like me, you are in the right place. Explore the blog, ask questions, and enjoy guppy fishkeeping journey with GuppyAdvisor.
