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For years I've gone out of my way to get water from the tap that is not hooked up to the water softner, especially since Iv'e had waters and dumerils which spend large amounts of time in the water. I heard the other day that soft water is preferred for some species of fish. Does anyone know if soft water is unhealthy for monitors or if it is ok. Thanks Mike.

Think about what they drink and eat in the wild, then ask yourself that question again.

I could go for a glass of water myself at the moment.

Goodluck,
Mike.

"Think about what they drink and eat in the wild, then ask yourself that question again."

That is exactly what I was thinking when I asked the question. In the article I was reading, it talked about the health of these fish which were from a tropical enviornment (South America I think) would be improved with soft water due to the fact that the water they live in was more soft than our drinking water. I know monitors aren't fish, but I could not find any articles that talked about reptiles and soft water. It seems possible that my monitors jungle water could be different than the water I get that runs down through the mountains picking up all kinds of minerals. I was hoping for a more informed answer. I guess what I am asking is if our manufactured soft water is completely different than naturally soft water. I sometimes see hard water deposits on their heads after long soakings and this is why I am asking the question.

thanks, Mike

No, you wern't.

Here is why. Hard water is from the ground soft water is from the sky. Mountain water can be hard and soft, standing water can be hard and soft, it depends more so on the area. That means there are many many different species exposed to many different types of water and minerals.......

In reality, it doesnt matter, most people have far far far too many other problems to worry about the water, I woudlnt be suprised if they could survive by drinking acid with the right support hahaha. Typically if your animal is soaking for extended periods you should be more concerned about that instead of the water it is soaking in.

Gooodluck,
Mike C.

Basically all a water softener does is remove hard minerals from the water. Mostly Calcium and Magnesium . Unless the water in your area is really hard it's not even going to be that much. If the lizards drink it that's all matters. You'll never know how different your is water is from the water they drink in the wild but...........

Water is water . In the dry months my animals get Ultra hard tap water in the rainy season they drink fresh rain water . No difference. Monitors only drink to hydrate .

For fish it's more complicated then that . Fish live in water and process it thru their gills. Water quality affects their breathing ability and has direct physical relation to their skin, gills and eyes. Different species have adapted to different water conditions. For fish water is a lot more then a drink.

Ernie Eison
WESTWOOD ACRES REPTILE FARM INC.