Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was reading an article that said that distilled water could cause the cells of your frogs to swell and eventually burts do to differing ion concentrations in the water. Is this the same with reverse osmosis water?
adam

While it is likely that it could be true, I used distilled water on and off for about 12 years with no problems in dart frog tanks. You can also use tap water, but that depends on the quality of it where you live. In PA I was great with tap water (that was softened), but here in DE I would not touch it with all the chemicals from our great companies (Gore, Dupont, etc.).
Best,
Justin

I have been using spring water. Gallon jugs run me about .50 cents. For 4 tanks I do not use that much so it is not too bad.
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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
0.0.2 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators

...that works for a while, but when you get more and more frogs it gets expensive. I used to use 10 gallons of water daily for just my pumilio tanks (15). Not to mention the rest of them. Most European keepers that have larger collections use RO water and then add some minerals etc back into it.
Best,
Justin

I hear ya I only have 4 tanks right now, but on my way to many more. I will deal with the water issue as it comes. I have tested my local water and it is fine, so I could use it if needed.
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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
0.0.2 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators

I use ro water for everything.I doctor it up with oak laves for the tadpoles.Water here in Iowa can have alot of farm type of chemicals and earlier this spring I tried our tap water and used stress guard and lost alot of tads,since switching no problems................Mark W.

There are a lot of people who do use different oak leaves, almond leaves (for food as well-- good with Epipedobates and Phylobates for some reason), and even nettle or alder cones in the water. Just go with what works for you. I normall used some pothos clippings and oak leaves in the water. I kept small tubs with even groups of things like imitator tads with no problems with this method.
Best,
Justin

Aren't you Justin Yeager?

Aren't R/O systems very $$$, and waste a lot of water?
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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
0.0.2 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators

I get mine from a water conditioning place for .50 a gallon

I meant to install at home. Also i heard R/O water is bad for most animals, and even humans sice it removes all the minerals from the water. So when we drink it, it removes minerals rather adds them.
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Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
0.0.2 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators

well, it helps keep the glass clean and so far I haven't had any problems with it.I have even misted right into the brom axil that my tiny imitator froglets came out of without any problems.

There are a lot of people who do use different oak leaves, almond leaves (for food as well-- good with Epipedobates and Phylobates for some reason), and even nettle or alder cones in the water. Just go with what works for you. I normall used some pothos clippings and oak leaves in the water. I kept small tubs with even groups of things like imitator tads with no problems with this method.
Best,
Justin