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Okay, I have read sources that claim it is the best thing to use in a freshwater tank, and I have read sources that say it is the worst thing you can use in any tank. The level of purity was cited as being the reason it was so good, and so bad. I know you have to be careful because it is stored in large copper vats, but other than that, does anyone have any opinions either way on it? Any experiences, etc.? Thanks!

Ok, they are not explaining why it is good and why it is bad. It is good for TOPPING OFF water that has evaporated, because you are doing just that, topping off. It add just water rather than other chemicals found in tap.

However, it is bad JUST by itself. I forget the exact reason why but i think it has to do with electrolights in the water that help the fish.

HTH

Raso

Because of the copper, it's very bad for inverts. It would also be bad for fishes that like hard water (it is much softer than most tap water). In some cases, chemicals are added, as in tap water. Read the label and see what kind of filtration process it has gone through (for example, reverse osmosis is what distilled water usually goes through, UV sterilization and ozonation are also good methods). If it is completely deionized, you will need to supplement it even for fish that like soft, acidic water. There are supplements to do that.

It's a whole lot cheaper to use dechlorinated tap water!

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Distilled water isn't run through a reverse osmosis filter. It's distilled reverse osmosis water is run through a reverse osmosis filter. Distillation is achieved by heating the water, and then collecting the vapors as they condense. The minerals are left behind, hence purifying the water. Reverse osmosis filtration is achieved by forcing water through a semi-permiable membrane, filtering the minerals that way. Reverse osmosis water is generally more pure than distilled water, given the apparatus is kept in good order.

Distilled and r/o water is good for topping off, as stated earlier. Distilled water is also good for using in a softwater tank, where a low pH and hardness are desired. However, it shouldn't be used alone for filling up a tank. It should be used with a reclaim chemistry to put the right amount of elecrolytes and minerals back into the water for the fish. If not, simple chemistry takes hold, dictating that chemicals will go from a high concentration to a low concentration. Fish = high concentration, surrounding water = low concentration. The water will strip the fish of elecrolytes and minerals, and eventually the fish will cease to exist. Fish need minerals/electrolyes to survive, perform normal body functions and build bones/scales.

So, it has it's place, but it must be used correctly.

Thank you so much for the replies. This certainly helps a great deal. I guess I will stop buying the distilled water altogether, and just use Aquasafe from now on. Thanks again!

My 38 gallon (which I am trying to keep soft and neutal) gets r/o+electrolytes and the fish have remained very healthy so far--6 months since I stopped using treated tap water. The one thing I wonder is what effect the electrolytes have at concentrations higher that recommended on the packageing. (Yeah, I kind of spilled it once )

One little factoid: The condensation of water during distillation is usually collected on copper! If you have inverts, don't use distilled since copper is toxic to them!:%)

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The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

distilled water without any additive is utterly lethal, for the reasons stated above.
if you spill some, just make partial water change to lower the concentration.
if you treat the water against chloramine, chlorine and heavy metals, it should be safe for the fish similar to yourself.
i myself hate playing with water parameters, because it's easier to know what was added to it that what was taken out of it.

I've never seen electrolytes sold at my LFS. What brand are they under? I'd like to see if they can order some as I want to lower the ph and soften the water on one of my tanks.

THanks, Mike

RO Right by Kent Marine is the one i use