Expert: Ron Coleman - 11/6/2009

Question
Hi there. I normally would use reverse osmosis water  for my pet betta.  Recently I have read from a few experts out there that I should use only treated tap because R/O water is missing the minerals my fishie girl needs. Ok, well there is definitely something wrong with the tap water here in my apt. building if not in all of San Diego, I don't know, but I tested it for ammonia, and my test strips all turned GREEN...bad...obviously, I don't want her in THAT!  Can I use a mineral supplement to supply the lost minerals?  I went to Petco today and they have this product called
KENT Marine Essential Elements, essential trace mineral supplement for reef and fish...
I am nervous because it is for marine aquariums, and I have a betta...freshwater...I am desperate for good advice...it has calcium, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum and potassium...ThankYou!

Answer
Hi Liane,
 Bettas are not that fussy about water. I use tap water and they spawn for me, in fact, I had a pair spawn just last week.  Of course if your tap water is gross (which is sometimes the case in cities), then you need to do something else.  Distilled water would be fine.  Reverse osmosis water would also be fine but is overkill and I wouldn't worry about adding anything to it, particularly if you have any plants, gravel or other stuff in the tank. They should likely provide any trace elements that your fish needs. Keep in mind how small a betta is -- it does not need very much of anything.

 You should NOT add the KENT Marine stuff. It is for marine tanks and will add a whole lot of things that will stress your fish (if not worse).  

 If your tap water is that bad, you should seriously consider moving for your own sake, let alone
for your betta.  Yikes!   

-- Ron C.
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
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