Water

V

v3iledchameleon

New Member
Thank you to everyone who responded to my question about the fogger. I have worked something out and I will try it to see if it works!

I was wondering if it is okay to use tap (sink) water? I am aware that distilled water is better than tap water, but if I don't have it can I still use tap water?

Also if I can't use tap water is there any I guess cheap or easy way to get distilled water with a filter or something along the lines of that?

Thanks again, I'm getting my baby this Saturday and I'm wrapping up everything that I need to do/get. :)
 
What do you know about the source of your tap water? Municipal or city water? Private well? Is it hard (high in minerals...do you see hard water stains on sinks, shower or tub?). For foggers, that's the thing that makes the most difference. If you are concerned about water treatment chemicals that might be in your tap water, again you'll need to ask the source what they use. Many municipalities treat with chloramines...and you'll have to use a herp water treatment product to neutralize it. Does your house have a water softener?

The only way to get distilled water is to boil it, capture, and condense the steam. That's the definition of "distilling". Another good option is reverse osmosis filtration or RO. You can buy and install your own RO filter system under a sink, or buy RO water from an aquarium supply. Some big box home stores sell it too.

Those faucet filters can remove various things but you have to read the labels to be sure what they can and can't remove.

A forum tip: if you used the search key you could have pulled up many many threads on this topic and wouldn't have to wait for a reply. Try it!
 
If your tap water is clean then its fine to use but reversed osmosis water is better for a chameleon.
 
Carlton said:
What do you know about the source of your tap water? Municipal or city water? Private well? Is it hard (high in minerals...do you see hard water stains on sinks, shower or tub?). For foggers, that's the thing that makes the most difference. If you are concerned about water treatment chemicals that might be in your tap water, again you'll need to ask the source what they use. Many municipalities treat with chloramines...and you'll have to use a herp water treatment product to neutralize it. Does your house have a water softener?

The only way to get distilled water is to boil it, capture, and condense the steam. That's the definition of "distilling". Another good option is reverse osmosis filtration or RO. You can buy and install your own RO filter system under a sink, or buy RO water from an aquarium supply. Some big box home stores sell it too.

Those faucet filters can remove various things but you have to read the labels to be sure what they can and can't remove.

A forum tip: if you used the search key you could have pulled up many many threads on this topic and wouldn't have to wait for a reply. Try it!
Click to expand...

Honestly, I don't really know that much about my water source because I live in an apartment. But, I believe (not sure) that it is city water. Considering it is an apartment, I going to guess that it is not a private well, as well as hardness again I am very limited to what I know. But, I do not see stains. I am not sure (probably not) if there is a water softener or not. If I can find out any of these things I will let you know. Thank you so much for the detailed reply, I will most likely just buy distilled water in order to avoid all of the other things to get (which will probably cost more than just buying distilled water).
 
v3iledchameleon said:
Thank you to everyone who responded to my question about the fogger. I have worked something out and I will try it to see if it works!

I was wondering if it is okay to use tap (sink) water? I am aware that distilled water is better than tap water, but if I don't have it can I still use tap water?

Also if I can't use tap water is there any I guess cheap or easy way to get distilled water with a filter or something along the lines of that?

Thanks again, I'm getting my baby this Saturday and I'm wrapping up everything that I need to do/get. :)
Click to expand...
You could get like a Britta , boiled water is distilled water . Just have some of you're friends save some water jugs . pick a day to boiling cool and put in you're jugs .
 
Brittas won't create distilled or necessarily remove city water treatment chemicals. Boiling the water won't distill what's left in the pot after it cools....you have to collect the steam itself. Ask your apartment manager if they soften of otherwise filter the building's water. If its city service (most likely) call your water utility and ask them what they treat it with. Better safe than sorry. The tap water may be fine for human consumption but the additives could be hard on a small animal like a cham that isn't used to them.
 
Carlton said:
Brittas won't create distilled or necessarily remove city water treatment chemicals. Boiling the water won't distill what's left in the pot after it cools....you have to collect the steam itself. Ask your apartment manager if they soften of otherwise filter the building's water. If its city service (most likely) call your water utility and ask them what they treat it with. Better safe than sorry. The tap water may be fine for human consumption but the additives could be hard on a small animal like a cham that isn't used to them.
Click to expand...
What about the filtering systems that attach to the sink ?
 
Kristen Wilkins said:
What about the filtering systems that attach to the sink ?
Click to expand...
It depends on the filter, so you have to read the labeling. There are many different kinds...to remove chlorine or sulphur, to improve tastes and odors, etc. RO filters remove MOST chemicals, organics, microorganisms, and minerals. Not as pure as distilled, but close. RO water is fine to use. I've used it in foggers, misters, and as drinking water for all my birds and herps for many years.
 
v3iledchameleon said:
I honestly don't know, I can probably find this information out but it may take a day or 2.
Click to expand...
I think there's one that filters out 99%. I can't remember which one . I know boiling brings it dam close . I've only had 1 chameleon so I'm new to them but have had beardies and geckos since a kid , have always boiled and they have had long lives .
 
Carlton said:
It depends on the filter, so you have to read the labeling. There are many different kinds...to remove chlorine or sulphur, to improve tastes and odors, etc. RO filters remove MOST chemicals, organics, microorganisms, and minerals. Not as pure as distilled, but close. RO water is fine to use. I've used it in foggers, misters, and as drinking water for all my birds and herps for many years.
Click to expand...
I've just always boiled . I've only had 1 chamealon I'm real new to them . Always have had beardies , and geckos since a kid . They have done well with boiled water .
 
You can buy distilled water at Walmart for like $0.85 comes out to 7-10 bucks a month lol but most places like Walmart and Lowe's have ro water at the front of the store I plan to check out this weekend I assume it will be reasonable
 
Boiling the water is not advisable. Boiling the water is not distilling it. The distilled water is the steam that escapes as it boils. Any water left in the pot is not only NOT distilled, you have now concentrated and minerals, toxins, or contaminates. It simply isn't practical to distill water on the stove too. RO systems are a great investment and are better for your plants. Distilled water maybe cheaper in the long run, as RO systems waste a lot of water, rejecting 50% or more. If you pay for your water, than RO may be impractical. Distilled water is less than $1 a gallon and you shouldn't need more than a couple gallons a week.
 
 
IMG_3890.PNG
 
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Niyah12
New chameleon keeper (husbandry check)!!
Replies
2
Views
464
Niyah12
Niyah12
C
A few questions from a new veiled chameleon owner
2
Replies
20
Views
2K
MissSkittles
MissSkittles
K
How effective are domestic water filter jugs?!
Replies
10
Views
1K
Eileen
Eileen
IramBa
is spotless water safe?
Replies
5
Views
772
Sonny13
Sonny13
absolutbill
Hurricane Prep and Reptiles
2
Replies
22
Views
1K
Tkrd69
Tkrd69
Back
Top Bottom