Water: Distilled vs purified vs everything else

[dkk08]

Hi guys, I hope you folks don't mind me using some of the posts here especially the one by Dr. John Claire on the differences in water, as I'm a Mod a Vivarium section on a Singapore Forum and thought all these information would be extremely useful? Thanks!

[Paul Rust]

Hi guys, I hope you folks don't mind me using some of the posts here especially the one by Dr. John Claire on the differences in water, as I'm a Mod a Vivarium section on a Singapore Forum and thought all these information would be extremely useful? Thanks!

Please send a pm to John and ask him as all posts on this forum are his property. He is extremely helpful and will likely be more than pleased to help you.

[Grunta]

Hi guys, I have access to an unlimited supply of spring water bottles from my work.
The side of the bottle reads the following mg/L
Calcium 0.7
Magnesium 1.4
Sodium 10.0
Chloride 13.0
Potassium 0.9

Would this be suitable for my frogs or would I need to treat it first?

[jetoutant]

I was just looking at Gerber pure Baby water it says it purified water with some added mineral for tast its from protected well in Stanwood Michigan purified through reverse osmosis and distilation no added fluoride ingredents are purified water, magnesium sulfate , potassium bicarbonate , and calcium chloride does this sound like a good source of water and would any of those ingrediants harm any of the frog spieces if used it only $1 a gallon

[J Teezy]

you should be able to buy distilled water straight up at the grocery store for $1, least you can at my grocery stores

[FrogLoving17]

I would use Spring Water because, for some reason I had my old WTF's ( Mr.Sticky) on distilled water and he started acting lethargic. I quickly switched to spring water and he acted just fine. You may be using distilled but if it were me I would use spring.

[sschind]

I used to be in the camp who insisted that my tree frogs were fine with RO water in their water dishes but after losing a few for what I thought was no apparent reason I decided to look into it. The frogs would do fine for months and months and then they would simply start losing weight even though they were eating and looking and acting all lethargic and such. It was almost like they were being mummified even thought I misted the cage and saw them soaking. Since I have switched to my well water for soaking (still use RO for misting) I've had no problems. I was using the RO because we have very hard water and when it evaporates in a bowl you can see the calcium left behind. I figured if it was doing this to a water dish then what is it doing to my animal's skin. I've switched to well water for all my herps bowls and have noticed no problems.

I've learned my lesson I'm just sorry the poor frogs had to suffer for it.

[GrifTheGreat]

Distilled water and R/O water lack the minerals and salts that your frogs need to hydrate themselves. It is only safe for misting. If you use in your frogs water bowls. It will actually steal minerals/vitamins/and salts from your frogs and will cause severe health issues. If you intend on using R/O water for your frogs main water source it must have minerals and salts added to it. You can buy these additives like you can the conditionersat some pet stores.

[FrogNoobie659]

I asked a amphibian expert the same thing, he said that distilled water is the best choice. It has good stuff in it for the toads. I forgot exactly what he said so I just put "good stuff"

[kurper]

According to this vet, "Be sure to not use distilled water, which is devoid of minerals and salts, and is dangerous to the osmoregulation of frogs and toads. Other types of acceptable bottled water include filtered water or deionized water that has had minerals replaced. Read the labels on bottled waters carefully to ensure that you get one with minerals and salts added (or not removed in the first place)." American Toad Care and Husbandry (Bufo americanus)

[pacman90]

question on the water topic...when bathing my pacman, and cleaning his tank what water do i use? or HOW to do it, i know you need spring water, dechlorinated water, etc. but i just dont have that many gallons of spring water lol i use spring water for all my Pacmans needs but bathing and cleaning the tank (washing it out) i dont know about? should i rinse the tub, bin, (whatever it is bathing in) with the spring water then pour or sprinkle the water on him? and washing the tank should i just use bath water with soap, make sure all the soap is out, then rinse it again with the spring water to kinda neautralize/washout the tub water? i just dont know how to go about that, i need to know about the tank because i have an old tank that needs to be cleaned to put him, but i dont wanna wash it the way i have posted previously and have the left over tap water chems. hurt my frog?

[flybyferns]

Hello Pacman90,
Sharing. This is what I do...I use about 1 gallon of de-chol H20 every other day.
Purchase ( for the last Time) 5 or 6 gallon jugs of spring water.
When the container is empty , save it.
Purchase your favorite De-chlorinator. ( I use Aquatize- exo terra product ) I like the nice dropper/cap it has.
Then simply refill the gallon jugs. Aquitize instruction says 8 qtts /gallon will de-chlorinate the gallon immediately!
As well, I take the extra step to refill at a sink that has a Brita faucet filter on in.

My enclosures are in my basement ...I leave them there w/out the cap on.



De-chlorinated ONLY for soaking.
Distilled for cleaning the glass. Never use soaps of any kind. I use a micro fiber wash cloth soaked in distilled water.
Distilled in a auto mister.
I use a mister ( on a timer) occasionally ( in the evening) l may mist the plants w/ de-chlorinated.

I have never owned a Pac; but.......I don't think it's a good idea to sprinkling any water on him.
You could ask GritTheGreat about specific "bathing" questions. They are really not "bathing" ( to get clean) but re-hydrating.


Care Article:
http://www.frogforum.net/content/pac...-breeding-170/

Easy !

[pacman90]

thanx for the info, and by sprinkling the water i meant by just misting, or stickin my thumb in the spray bottle's neck and lightly pour a little on him to hydrate him wen he starts looking a little dry

[pacman90]

another thing about the dechlorinator, can you use regualer fish tank conditioner? the "removes chlorine, detoxifies/neautralizes/removes chloramins, and detoxifies toxic metals" kind, i bought some since it was the only kind i could find at petsmart -.- i havent used any of the dechlor'd water yet, i still have spring water gallons, but i do have 2gallons made of dechlor'd water. i just need to know if the fish stuff is safe for them too or does it HAVE to be repti related products?

[Larry Wardog]

I use Spring Water from Walmart for water dish and water area

I use Spring or distilled water for the mister and fogger

I sometimes use Aquafina for both is Aquafina safe?

Sent from my BLN-L24 using Tapatalk

[PhunkeyPhish]

I use spring for the water pool and if I am adding water to the plants.

I only use distilled for misting to eliminate any water deposits. 6 years and the glass is still crystal clear. Just have to rinse off the occasional powder that a feeder leaves behind.

[Larry Wardog]

I use spring for the water pool and if I am adding water to the plants.

I only use distilled for misting to eliminate any water deposits. 6 years and the glass is still crystal clear. Just have to rinse off the occasional powder that a feeder leaves behind.

I don't use spring water anymore because my vet said there can be parasites in it. She told me Purified Drinking Water was good and Aquafina so that's all I'm using anymore. I used to use spring water until she talked me out of it.

I am with you distilled water is good for misting and foggers

Sent from my BLN-L24 using Tapatalk