Lake Water

[GorillaLove]

Can I use lake water to help out with the bacteria?

 

[Meghan]

Someone jump in if I'm wrong, but how I understand is that the bacteria isn't in the water, it's on the surfaces.

I have no idea if river rocks, etc would be helpful or not...

 

[GorillaLove]

Then can I just borrow (steal) rocks from the lake? And if I can do they have to look a certain way?

 

[iapetus]

I wouldn't think they would help you out much. Lakes and streams don't (shouldn't) see the levels of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate that one typically sees in a fish tank. Those bodies of water are generally much larger and constantly replenish themselves. Sure, they might have some of the bacteria that you need, but you're as likely to get that same bacteria by buying some of the ornaments or wood out of the tanks at your LFS.