Many questions can start to come to mind when you first get into the hobby of aquascaping. And, “Can you use tap water for your aquascape?” is one I see being asked all the time.
You can use tap water safely in your aquascape or planted aquarium as long as it does not contain any chlorine or chloramine. You can use a water conditioner to treat tap water to make it safe in your aquarium and freshwater planted tanks.
But you’ll also want to make sure that your water parameters are within the correct range for any plants and livestock in your aquarium. This is true for all types of water and not just tap water.
And keep in mind everyone’s tap water is different around the world.
There are some areas in the world where tap water contains no chlorine or other chemicals and can be safe to use straight out of the tap for their aquariums.
So, no one online can give you the correct answer about whether your tap water is safe to use without knowing the water parameters of your tap water, plants, and what livestock you have or plan on having in your aquarium.
It’s always a good idea to test your tap water so you know what water parameters you are dealing with so you can make the right adjustments for your aquarium.
Is Tap Water Good For A Planted Aquarium Aquascape
The majority of people who have freshwater-planted aquascapes are going to be using treated tap water to fill their tanks.
Freshwater-planted aquariums can safely use tap water as long as the water is treated with a water conditioner to remove chlorine or chloramine. You’ll also want to ensure your water parameters are within the general range for a planted tank.
Treating your water with water conditioner is a common practice for people who keep fresh water planted aquariums or aquascapes.
Chlorine and Chloramine can be harmful to your plants and fish…
But water conditioners can take care of these contaminates, which also allows beneficial bacteria to grow in your tank, which you will need to take care of any ammonia build-ups.
You’ll want to treat your tap water when filling up your tank for the first time and whenever you do a water change.
Things To Consider When Using Tap Water In Your Freshwater Aquascape
Ok, so you’ve treated your tap water with a conditioner to make it safe, or you are one of the lucky few who has tap water that doesn’t contain any harmful contaminants.
The next thing you need to consider is what plants and livestock you are keeping in your tank…
This is important because you want to ensure your water parameters fall within the safe range for your plants and livestock.
Different fish, invertebrates, crustaceans, and plants all have a range in which they will thrive.
So, ensure you research what you plan to keep in your aquarium and what water parameters they prefer.
The main water parameters you’ll want to pay attention to are ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, pH, KH, and GH.
Ammonia, Nitrites, and Nitrates
Your beneficial bacteria should be converting ammonia and nitrites into nitrates (commonly known as the nitrogen cycle).
And your plants will help filter out the water and consume some nitrates. But you don’t want to see your nitrates get too high.
If it is, then you need to do a water change to help bring this level down.
pH
pH is the measurement of how acidic or basic your water is. Fish and plants tend to do well, with a pH level anywhere around 6.5-7.5. But keep in mind certain species may prefer one end of the spectrum over the other.
You want to avoid drastic pH swings in your tank because this can stress what you are keeping in your aquarium.
Which brings us to our next water parameter…
KH
KH is the buffering capacity of your aquarium. Basically, it helps prevent drastic swings in pH from happening in your aquarium.
A low KH means your water can be unstable, and it’s a lot easier for your pH levels to change. But a high KH means you have more buffering power. It’ll be harder for the pH level of your aquarium to change on you.
A good range for KH is around 60-150 PPM
GH
GH is the general hardness of your aquarium. When people refer to water as being hard or soft, this is usually the metric they are referring to.
And depending on what you stock in your tank will determine if you need to have softer or harder water.
Most aquariums will be in a GH range of 60-150 PPM
But bear in mind certain fish will like harder water, and other fish will like softer water, so this range is not set in stone.
Water Temperature
The last thing you want to consider about the water you use in your aquascape is the temperature.
You’ll generally want to stay between 72-82 degrees when having a planted tank. Your fish and other livestock are a little more sensitive to water temperature than your plants will be.
Other Types Of Water You Can Use In Your Planted Aquarium Aquascape
Here are other types of water you can use in your planted tank. Be sure to remember that some water might still need to be treated with either conditioners or minerals.
Reverse Osmosis Water
RODI water systems are very popular in saltwater tank communities. This is a great way to create pure H2O water without anything in it.
This water is like a blank slate, and you add what you need to it in order to get the water to the right parameters you are trying to get to.
Also if your water is too hard, adding RO water is a good way to “soften” your water in a freshwater tank.
Distilled Water
Just like RO water. Distilled water has no minerals in it whatsoever if you don’t want to invest in a RODI System to create your own pure water.
Purchasing a few gallons of distilled water is a quick and easy way to soften the water in your freshwater tank.
Final Thoughts On Using Tap Water For An Aquascape
Tap water is the main source of water for many aquascapes.
You’ll just have to treat tap water for any chlorine or chloramine it may have. And then, you’ll want to make sure your water is within the water parameters of what you need to have for what you are keeping in your aquarium.
Also, there are many water treatment products to help bring up or down the different parameters you are trying to get to.
The best thing to do is get your tap water tested at your local fish store and talk to them about what plants or livestock will do well with the water parameters coming from your tap.
You might be lucky and just need to treat your water for chlorine and call it a day.
But the critical thing to remember is to treat and test your water so you know what water parameters you are dealing with.