Make Your Tap Water Safe for your Fish

Meet my gold fish, Duck.

Duck has been a part of my family, so to speak, for about 3 years now. He's just an old standard goldfish. I have had goldfish and bettas before, but Duck is just a touch old dude. That or he just enjoys the excitement around my house and I've managed to keep him away from my cats. HA!

Duck and I have sort of a routine for his care, mainly keeping his "house clean." Once a week or so, I change out his water. Sometimes his water gets dirty quicker and sometimes, he can go almost two weeks. At any rate, I have two glass bowls that are just common floral vases. I recently bought this one at a Vendor Mall. I've had Duck in large jars too. I also have two sets of glass beads that "decorate" to bottom of his "house." When Duck is enjoying one vase, I'm cleaning the other one.

Then, I simply fill the bowl with room temperature water and add just a little Aqua Safe +. By a little, I basically just cover the bottom of the lid and drop it in. I let it sit for just a little bit, even though the bottle says it's safe to use in just a few seconds. Then, I fish Duck out of his old "house" and move him over to his new one. This 8oz bottle has lasted me for as long as I have had Duck, I think. So, with a small aquarium like this, the bottle can go a long way.

It is recommended to condition the tank's water any time you change the water out or add water from evaporation. Since Duck's tank is so small, I just change it out completely and freshen everything for him.

There are other brands available, and I can't really say one is better or worse than the other, Aqua Safe has just worked for me for so many years, that I have stuck to it. There are 3 sizes available in the Aqua Safe, a 3.38oz, the 8.45oz, 16.9oz, and a 33.8oz for those who have larger tanks. I have ordered from both Amazon and Chewy's but you can find this product at most local Pet Supply Stores.

As a pet sitter, I have seen fish live in untreated water. I have also cared for a lot of fish that had the filters and large aquariums. And, I've tended to large saltwater aquariums as well...now those are a little more work than the simple fish bowl. HA There's a lot more involved with the larger aquariums but man, they are beautiful. (No offense Duck)

All this to say, fish can bring a calm to your home. They're enjoyable and generally not a lot of trouble. Duck has been that for me. I have enjoyed having him.