using rainwater

[SkyCatcher]

Hi,

What are the views of the amassed fish keeping experince here on the use of
rainwater for water changes. Capturing the flow from the roof in a water
butt (tight fitting lid & no daylight). I have checked my parameters and
they are :- ph 7.0, No3 0, kH 0, gH 0. I live in Ireland and there is no
"industry" between me and the Atlantic (though I am in the Eastern side of
the Island.)

Your views are welcomed.

Cheers,

Skyh

[Bill Stock]

"SkyCatcher" > wrote in message
...
> Hi,
>
> What are the views of the amassed fish keeping experince here on the use
of
> rainwater for water changes. Capturing the flow from the roof in a water
> butt (tight fitting lid & no daylight). I have checked my parameters and
> they are :- ph 7.0, No3 0, kH 0, gH 0. I live in Ireland and there is no
> "industry" between me and the Atlantic (though I am in the Eastern side of
> the Island.)
>
> Your views are welcomed.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Skyh
>

What kind of roof? Any lead/copper/zinc up there?

[doorzy]

I've been using the rainwater from our tank for my aquarium water and
it is great mine has a P.H of 6.6 and i wont use any other water in my
tanks and i think it is gods gift to fresh water fish.........
>

[SkyCatcher]

Only concrete tiles - leeching is something thats gives me a little concern
but the tests I have done show no evidence(the roof is > 10yrs old).

"Bill Stock" > wrote in message
...
>
> "SkyCatcher" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Hi,
> >
> > What are the views of the amassed fish keeping experince here on the use
> of
> > rainwater for water changes. Capturing the flow from the roof in a water
> > butt (tight fitting lid & no daylight). I have checked my parameters and
> > they are :- ph 7.0, No3 0, kH 0, gH 0. I live in Ireland and there is no
> > "industry" between me and the Atlantic (though I am in the Eastern side
of
> > the Island.)
> >
> > Your views are welcomed.
> >
> > Cheers,
> >
> > Skyh
> >
>
> What kind of roof? Any lead/copper/zinc up there?
>
>
>

[Edward Cowling]

"SkyCatcher" > wrote in message
...
> "industry" between me and the Atlantic (though I am in the Eastern side
> of
> the Island.)
>
> Your views are welcomed.
>

As I've often said... I'm amazed we don't do more with rain
water in the UK, considering the amount we get :-)
In the Caribbean they collect every drop and use it for
everything, for the whole family !

With minimal filtering you'll find it's perfect for your needs.



--

Edward Cowling - London - UK

[Kevin R]

I cant be that bad or all the fish in your local rivers streams ponds ETC
would die
"Edward Cowling" > wrote in message
...
>
> "SkyCatcher" > wrote in message
> ...
>> "industry" between me and the Atlantic (though I am in the Eastern side
>> of
>> the Island.)
>>
>> Your views are welcomed.
>>
>
> As I've often said... I'm amazed we don't do more with rain
> water in the UK, considering the amount we get :-)
> In the Caribbean they collect every drop and use it for
> everything, for the whole family !
>
> With minimal filtering you'll find it's perfect for your needs.
>
>
>
> --
>
> Edward Cowling - London - UK
>
>

[Happy'Cam'per]

I don't think its wise, rain water does not have much, if any, buffering
capacity. Although if its a concrete roof it will always leech so you might
get away with it!
--
**So long, and thanks for all the fish!**

[Keith]

Several things to be aware of. Firstly, if you have a planted aquarium then
you will need to add some minerals. I add Equilibrium to my rainwater to
give a gH of about 40ppm. If you don't have plants you may still need to
bring the gH up depending on the fish you have.

Secondly, with no kH any source of acidity will send the pH down, possibly
in an uncontrolled way. I add sodium bicarbonate to my rainwater to give a
kH of about 40ppm.

Thirdly, when you buy fish they will most likely be used to much harder
water and may have difficulty acclimatising.

Finally, water collected from a concrete tiled roof usually has some
hardness. It varies depending on the type of rainfall (i.e. how heavy) so
you will need to check regularly so you can achieve reasonable consistency.


"SkyCatcher" > wrote in message
...
> Hi,
>
> What are the views of the amassed fish keeping experince here on the use
> of
> rainwater for water changes. Capturing the flow from the roof in a water
> butt (tight fitting lid & no daylight). I have checked my parameters and
> they are :- ph 7.0, No3 0, kH 0, gH 0. I live in Ireland and there is no
> "industry" between me and the Atlantic (though I am in the Eastern side of
> the Island.)
>
> Your views are welcomed.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Skyh
>
>