weird water question

I live in the mountains and have a freshwater creek in front of my house. In the summer we drink from this creek as the water is clean and sweet. Now...here is the weird question brought up by a co-worker of mine. Can you use it to mix saltwater? We are filling up our 210g and I mentioned something about the well pump loving me for pumping out this much at one time. He asked why I didn't just pump it out of the creek? I thought about this for a long while. The water would have bacteria in it that would die off when salt was added. Would this help with the cycling procedure? I don't have a ro/di unit and have always used my well water with no trouble whatsoever. The only thing high in the water is calcium, which I was told would not hurt aquariums. Sorry for asking this but I am intrigued if it is feasible. Thanks !

 

I would buy as many test kits for various things that I could get my hands on. test the water before, during and after to make sure you didnt pump any contaminents. I think it would be fine, because your well water is more then likely the same water. BUT you drinking the water is a lot different then your inverts living in it. I would take a large sample of the water to the water dept somewhere in your area and ask them to test it prior to you doing anything.

 

You may be ok, though you can't really be 100% sure that the water from the creek is beneficial to your tank. Contaminants can enter the water at any time without detection unless water testing is done!
Having said this, the idea of high calcium levels doesn't come without its downfall as well! A high calcium level will deplet magnesium levels and lower your alkalinity level also. Plus your pH levels should be monitored to ensure high water quality standards!

 

This freshwater bacteria would be a concern to me, not to mention the insect larvae, plant spores and other creepy crawlies that might be in that water. I wouldn't use it without first running it through a UV sterilizer and after it's been filtered through floss and carbon for a good long time.

 

Hi

HI,
Well in theory it should be great inreality it may have some heavy metals if there is a lot of ore rock in the stream, not sure what metals are in your area rocks , remember most metals are mined.
On a side note those crystal clear streams have been known to harbor animal parasites i wouldn't drink any stream water cause when one of those wild critters cuts loose in da water them wild things do go in thewoods... It could cause a little of that quick step, things like giardia comes to mind ,,wont' kill ya but you'll loose alot of weight real fast....
Doug

 

Sweet! Now, tell me, where can I find me one of these kinds of streams?

 

lol I dont think you would want a giardia amcarrig, haha. Its an intestinal parasite.

 

I would just biol the water to make sure you killed everything off, then run it thru a filter or put in a tub with a good hang on filter on it.

 

You ever drink a Slim-Fast? It gives you the same gut pains as intestinal parasites and doesn't work nearly as quickly

 

Tape worms are less dramtic

HI,
Get a couple Tape worms avoid the ones with hooks..., they works pretty well without the drama.
Doug