Hi Guys, After a successful trial I am now using rainwater for all my water changes and wondered if anyone else had tried this?
I live in Cornwall UK and our tap water is naturally around PH 6.6 - 6.8. We're also on a water meter and pay the highest water rates in the whole of the UK!! So anything I could do to reduce my tap water useage was welcome. I now do a 50% water change weekly in my 350 ltr Mbuna tank, pumping rainwater straight from the water butts (2 x 350 ltr) in the garden. I've been doing this for 5 months now with no adverse effects. The water i pump OUT of the aquarium goes to a separate tank and is used to water the lawn/plants etc as the Nitrite content is beneficial.
I still treat the water with water conditioner (Tetra Aquasafe) despite the lack of chlorine and then add bicarb of soda and epson salts to achieve the correct PH and GH/KH
The fish seem happy (still breeding anyway!) I've reduced my water consumption and have a ready supply of nitrite rich lawn fertiliser!
Total cost, including the pump, was around £120 but I like the eco friendliness of it and it will pay for itself in the long run!
Next step is to get it plumbed through the external wall to save running hose through the house - but don't tell the Mrs.