Don't Use Tap Water Directly to Keep Goldfish
Although tap water is a common water source for fishkeeping, using it directly to keep goldfish can be harmful to the health of goldfish. Here are the specific reasons and treatment methods:
1. Harm of Chlorine in Tap Water
Tap water usually contains chlorine, which is used for disinfection and sterilization. However, chlorine is toxic to goldfish and can cause skin damage, gill inflammation, difficulty breathing, and even death of goldfish.
Solution: Let the tap water stand in an empty pool or tank for 2 - 3 days to allow the chlorine to volatilize naturally, or use a de - chlorinating agent (such as sodium thiosulfate) for treatment.
2. Other Potential Harmful Substances
Tap water may contain heavy metals (such as lead, copper, zinc, etc.) and nitrides (such as ammonia, nitrite, etc.). These substances can have a negative impact on the metabolism, growth and development, and disease - resistance ability of goldfish.
Solution: Remove harmful substances by airing or using a filter, and change the water regularly to maintain the stability of water quality.
3. Water Quality Requirements
Goldfish are suitable for living in water with a pH value of 6.5 - 7.5 and a hardness of 5 - 19 dGH. After the tap water is treated, it is necessary to ensure that the water quality meets these standards.
Solution: Use water quality testing tools to monitor the pH value and hardness, and adjust them if necessary.
4. Oxygenation and Water Change
When using tap water to keep goldfish, it is necessary to oxygenate the water every day and place the fish tank in a cool and ventilated place to avoid direct sunlight.
When changing the water, it is recommended to change half of the water first, and then continue to change the water after the goldfish get used to it, so as to reduce the stimulation to the goldfish.
5. Special Cases
Some users have reported that there is no problem in using tap water directly to keep goldfish, but this may vary due to differences in water quality in different regions or different tolerances of goldfish. For safety reasons, it is still recommended to treat tap water.
Conclusion: Although tap water can be used to keep goldfish after treatment, there is a great risk in using it directly. Through methods such as airing, de - chlorination, filtration, and regular water change, the harm of tap water can be effectively reduced, and the healthy growth of goldfish can be ensured.