Is distilled water OK for water change?

[Tarah]

I really should do a change today b/c of high nitrites, but they are flushing our hydrants and the water is full of iron deposits. Would distilled water be a good option or no? My only problem would be it not being warm enough for my ick treated tank. But maybe that wouldn't be such a big deal....it's only a 15% water change. What do you think?

 

[revfred]

Should be OK but remember it lacks trace elements. But for a 15% change it should be OK. As to temperature, if it gets to room temp it should be OK.

 

[ComHam]

I top up my water for tank changes with boiled water staright from the tap. I assume that the boiling gets rid of the chlorine, am I right? My 37g has been running since Christmas, and I haven't had any major losses

 

[discus4everGrl]

putting a airstone in a bucket of water overnight will get rid of chlorine, and it's prolly a lot less work. But I always recommend a tap water conditioner that gets rid of chlorine and chloramine.

 

[TygGer]

I'm assumming you will be buying the distilled water. If so, just buy spring water instead. Like the poster above mentioned, distilled lacks the desired trace elements.

It's probably the easiest to just buy a simple water conditioner and mix it yourself.

 

[Lotus]

If they're flushing a system, definitely don't use tapwater until they're done.

 

[TygGer]

Guess I should've read the entire post!

Yea, definitely don't use your tap water right now. Buy spring water...