Water: Distilled vs purified vs everything else

[flybyferns]

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?

I have raised Discus for many years. One of my oler gals is 9 years old! I use Stress Coat w/ water conditioner .............a "fancy"
product ( w/ additives ) for the aquarium with large filters running 24/7. ( a key point !) It sounds as though you might have purchased this type of product. Which could be a simple de-chlorinator PLUS water conditioner. Read the label carefully as water conditioners should not be used for frogs.

Here is how I understand it .........in my pea brain:

1)
In the fish tank----------De-chlorinators fall into the general category of 'water conditioners'. ( confusing - right ?) In-other-words, de-chlorinator for a fish tank is often a water conditioner as well. And, to make it even more confusing --------not all water conditioners are de-chlorinators! So be careful.
So, if you are using a 'water conditioned ( w/out de-chlorinator ) ------then you are not de-chlorinating the water ( or the frog water) at all!
Hear me out !

Why use de-chlorinator?
Most (if not all) municipal water supplies are treated with chlorine, chloramine, or both. Often holding tanks for wells in rural communities also similarly treated. These chemicals are necessary to kill off any harmful bacteria or other pathogens which get into the water. The dosages of these chemicals in the water supply are "low enough as to mot harm us'". Ha Ha That's another whole ball of wax! These chemicals ARE high enough to cause damage to a biological filter , such as one in a fish tank. This damage will allow ammonia to start to build up in the tank, eventually becoming harmful to your fish. For this reason it is important that you treat your water to remove chlorine with an appropriate dechlorinator before you add water to your fish tank. BUT many of these products ( as mentioned have) water conditioners as well.

2)
For our frogs
Hence the answer to you question.
As mentioned aboe: One common problem that occurs with some of the "fancier" de-chlorinators ( like used in fish tanks) is that they can leave a buildup of 'bad stuff ' that can be harmful to a frog over time. This is a concern in small tanks or bowls where the product has been repeatedly or in situations without filtration ( i.e. a waterfall) . Therefore, the issues with some of the "fancier" de-chlorinators used in tanks with reptiles or amphibians is this build-up these of chemicals left behind. So , I use "Aquitize" ------- a regular de-chlorinator without unnecessary additives, specifically formulated for amphibians for water with out filtration !

Sorry to blab! I guess I have could have simply repeated the suggestion to use an amphibians safe product.
Lynn

[pacman90]

ok thanx for the info before i actually sprayed the treated water in my Pacman's tank, the stuff i bought quote on quote "Aqueon, Water Conditioner, makes tap water safe for fish. *bullet* instantly neutralizes chlorine and chloramines in tap water, *bullet* aids in restoring a fish's natural slime coat" so i bought the wrong stuff :/ BUT like i said atleast i asked before actually spraying it into his tank, it just sucks cuz thats all i could find for water treament they didnt sell stuff for amph./retpiles, seems like ima have to order some

[Bolisnide]

I have raised Discus for many years. One of my oler gals is 9 years old! I use Stress Coat w/ water conditioner .............a "fancy"
product ( w/ additives ) for the aquarium with large filters running 24/7. ( a key point !) It sounds as though you might have purchased this type of product. Which could be a simple de-chlorinator PLUS water conditioner. Read the label carefully as water conditioners should not be used for frogs.

Here is how I understand it .........in my pea brain:

1)
In the fish tank----------De-chlorinators fall into the general category of 'water conditioners'. ( confusing - right ?) In-other-words, de-chlorinator for a fish tank is often a water conditioner as well. And, to make it even more confusing --------not all water conditioners are de-chlorinators! So be careful.
So, if you are using a 'water conditioned ( w/out de-chlorinator ) ------then you are not de-chlorinating the water ( or the frog water) at all!
Hear me out !

Why use de-chlorinator?
Most (if not all) municipal water supplies are treated with chlorine, chloramine, or both. Often holding tanks for wells in rural communities also similarly treated. These chemicals are necessary to kill off any harmful bacteria or other pathogens which get into the water. The dosages of these chemicals in the water supply are "low enough as to mot harm us'". Ha Ha That's another whole ball of wax! These chemicals ARE high enough to cause damage to a biological filter , such as one in a fish tank. This damage will allow ammonia to start to build up in the tank, eventually becoming harmful to your fish. For this reason it is important that you treat your water to remove chlorine with an appropriate dechlorinator before you add water to your fish tank. BUT many of these products ( as mentioned have) water conditioners as well.

2)
For our frogs
Hence the answer to you question.
As mentioned aboe: One common problem that occurs with some of the "fancier" de-chlorinators ( like used in fish tanks) is that they can leave a buildup of 'bad stuff ' that can be harmful to a frog over time. This is a concern in small tanks or bowls where the product has been repeatedly or in situations without filtration ( i.e. a waterfall) . Therefore, the issues with some of the "fancier" de-chlorinators used in tanks with reptiles or amphibians is this build-up these of chemicals left behind. So , I use "Aquitize" ------- a regular de-chlorinator without unnecessary additives, specifically formulated for amphibians for water with out filtration !

Sorry to blab! I guess I have could have simply repeated the suggestion to use an amphibians safe product.
Lynn

Hi Lynn,
As usual, great information!
I use Stress Coat currently for my frog's water, it was on sale...
You're saying that is not a good choice? I thought I read that heather uses it also?
Thanks!

[flybyferns]

Hi Lynn,
As usual, great information!
I use Stress Coat currently for my frog's water, it was on sale...
You're saying that is not a good choice? I thought I read that heather uses it also?
Thanks!

Hi Bolisnide,
I use "Aquitize"------- a regular de-chlorinator without unnecessary additives, specifically formulated for amphibians for water with out filtration "
This takes a lot of digging; especially since the stress coat product line has (past year) made some "formula changes" . Enough to drive you nuts !!!
Even for my fish tank , I have stuck with their older formula " Tap Water Conditioner ( aquarium dechlorinator) "
Perhaps this is what Heath is using? There are a few stress coat product choices?

My recommendation would be to use a product that specifically claims to be frog safe such as Aquatize.
Lynn

[flybyferns]

Hi Lynn,
As usual, great information!
I use Stress Coat currently for my frog's water, it was on sale...
You're saying that is not a good choice? I thought I read that heather uses it also?
Thanks!

Hi Bolisnide,
"I use "Aquitize"------- a regular de-chlorinator without unnecessary additives, specifically formulated for amphibians for water with out filtration "
This takes a lot of digging; especially since the stress coat product line has (past year) made some "formula changes" . Enough to drive you nuts !!!
Even for my fish tank , I have stuck with their older formula " Tap Water Conditioner ( aquarium dechlorinator) "
Perhaps this is what Heath is using? There are a few stress coat product choices?

My recommendation would be to use a product that specifically claims to be frog safe such as Aquatize.
Lynn

[Bolisnide]

Hi Bolisnide,
"I use "Aquitize"------- a regular de-chlorinator without unnecessary additives, specifically formulated for amphibians for water with out filtration "
This takes a lot of digging; especially since the stress coat product line has (past year) made some "formula changes" . Enough to drive you nuts !!!
Even for my fish tank , I have stuck with their older formula " Tap Water Conditioner ( aquarium dechlorinator) "
Perhaps this is what Heath is using? There are a few stress coat product choices?

My recommendation would be to use a product that specifically claims to be frog safe such as Aquatize.
Lynn

Thanks for the reply
I'm thinking you may be right, though I change my frog's water dish daily, I've noticed a slimy film at the bottom of the bowl which surely must be from the other ingredients of the Slime Coat (contains aloe vera).
So, I'm switching back to the other stuff today....
I thought all de-chlorinators were the same, but I guess not. I can imagine the additional ingredients would also build up on the rest of the enclosure from misting...

[deranged chipmunk]

Lynn, i am curious. what additives are in the Aquitize to make it safe for water without filtration? is nitrosomer bacteria added in?

[kueluck]

With all my frog issues I'm changing my water source. I collect rain water and have been using this for 2 years with no issues, but now w/sickly frogs I'm switching over. Lynn on post #90 you said “water conditioners” should not be used on frogs. This products Zoo Med ReptiSafe Instant Terrarium Water Conditioner - 8.75 oz is called a water conditioner but claims to be okay for amphibians. So would this be more geared to newts and salamanders, not frogs?