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I have a 5.5gal planted (anubias and java fern) tank with 6 serpae tetras. The tap water where I live sucks. It is very hard (high dGH) and basic. Suddenly I got this idea that the water from my dehumidifier might be an excellent alternative to buying purified water at the store. I tested it today and the dGH was 2.5, the pH was below 6.0. This water is packed full of CO2 and it is very soft. I would never use this water by itself but instead use about half tap water and half dehumidifier water (or watever combination gives me the best water). The only thing I know about dehumidifiers is that they take water out of the air and put it in a bucket that I have to empty every 2 days. Does anyone know if water from a dehumidifier is safe for fish?

-Eric
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

I think it should be ok to use. The low pH is due to the dissolved CO2.
Try one thing if possible. Leave an air stone running in the bucket of water for some time. It should get most of the CO2 out.

Thanks. I'm gonna go ahead and try it.

-Eric
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

thats sounds like an excellant money saving idea! good thinking

-Vincent

the only question i have is how clean are your dehumidifiers? the one i used to have had very dirty coils and i wouldn't trust that water in my tank. but if you keep yours clean it should be fine.

---

"That's the trouble with political jokes in this country... they get elected!" -- Dave Lippman

yeh, its fairly new and the water looks pretty clean. I'll keep it nice and clean. Its great cause this thing is gonna be on all the time. It easily gets 2 gallons of water in a day, and I only have a 5.5 gal tank. I love it. There is a crap load of CO2 in it--at least 75 mg/qt. It a way of adding CO2 and softening the water. I'm probably only gonna have to use like 1/8 to 1/4 dehumidifier water.

-Eric
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

If you've got any inverts in the tank, I would't use it. The coils can leech metals into the water and stuff... it's probably too much for inverts.

If it's just hardy fish and plants, it'll probably be alright tho... just be sure that those coils are CLEAN...

A while back someone asked about using dehumidifier water in a reef tank, and the general consensus was "NO!!!.... unless you've got the really expensive kind with (I forget what kind of metal coils) coils that don't leech stuff into the water. But that was for a saltwater reef tank, with rather sensitive critters in it...

I'm guessing it'll be alright in your tank, but don't complain to me if it don't work

Good luck, dude

Hi,
While the runoff from an air conditioner or dehumidifier
might seem like a good idea rather than wasting it, it is
not a good idea. In either case the coils are exposed to
pollutants (smoke, chemicals, cooking smoke, cigarette
smoke, dust, and pollens). Additionally, the water
collecting in the tray will grow mold contaminating the
water, and the metals used in the fins, as well as the
soldering process with contaminate the water.

You do not want that stuff in your tank water.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

I agree with Frank totally.
You could however have the water tested
to determine precisely what is in it.
Take a sample to your local water board,
they should be able to fully test it for you
in the nature of around 5-10 dollars.
That takes the guess work out it for sure,
and will tell you for certain if its safe or not.
I had mine tested this way recently, and was actually
very very surprised at what was, and wasnt in the well water.
Next to no calcium, no copper or most of the other
metals you would expect in well water.
A very high content of Iodine, which I already had
guessed at due to the brilliant red color of my wood shrimp.
Water tested excellent actually.
Definitely was worth the 5.75 it cost to get it tested.


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thats a really good idea. I think Ill do that. Its too good to pass up.

-Eric
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

(and just cause I know someone will post something like this...) I will have the water tested like this every so often. I know dehumidifiers wear down.

-Eric
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."