grubby Posted March 28, 2014 Report Share Posted March 28, 2014 Hey I was just wondering. Tonight I have to strip down one of my 2213's, normally I wash the media in tank water as per normal so that the bacteria survive as well all do. I was wondering, we dont wash the media in tap water due to the chlorine taking out the bacteria, could you wash the media in clean rain water and not harm the bacteria ? Has anyone ever tried this ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yodapwnsasmurf Posted March 28, 2014 Report Share Posted March 28, 2014 There are lots of things that can kill bacteria, not just chlorine. Rapid pH change Temperature Nitrites/nitrates etc Chemicals Lack of O2 Just be weary of those things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grubby Posted March 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2014 Yeah well PH and Temp of rain water would be enough right there. Thanks Dude. I have found a good way to clean the media well with tank water anyway. I have a big plastic sieve in the laundry tub, dump a 20 litres bucket of tank water on it usually remove most of the biofilm and crap, if I want pressure I just use the power head and hose that I use for water changes. Just thought the added pressure of the rank tank pump would be very effective at removing crap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beencees Posted March 28, 2014 Report Share Posted March 28, 2014 I've used rain water (from an IBC) to wash media plenty of times. No problems at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lictoga Posted March 28, 2014 Report Share Posted March 28, 2014 ^^same Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xysti53 Posted March 28, 2014 Report Share Posted March 28, 2014 You should also be careful of what sort of roof the rainwater is collected from as it can pick up heavy metals and other nasties if you have a roof that is oxidizing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob3am Posted March 29, 2014 Report Share Posted March 29, 2014 I do it in my SA tanks as that's what I fill the tank with as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donny@ageofaquariums Posted April 22, 2014 Report Share Posted April 22, 2014 As long as the temperature isnt too drastically different its usually ok. Can be a risk with things like tangs where the pH is usually so high tho. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DFishkeeper Posted April 22, 2014 Report Share Posted April 22, 2014 Waste of good water, I would clean the filter media in tank water and use the rainwater for a water change johnbetta 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
