General Care Discussion :: Best Water for Habitat

[RSteff]

I was not sure if this topic fit best here or in Outdoor Habitat, but I have a question on water quality with a slider. I live on well water that comes straight from a 400' deep well that is processed through a water conditioning system that uses salt pellets for purification. I can also open a faucet before the softer. Which is better water for my slider? Well water or conditioned water?

[steve]

Without individually testing the water, it's hard to know. As far as I understand, well water is usually hard and the salt softens it? Is that the situation here?

[RSteff]

Yes, that is correct. The well water has high mineral content and the conditioner uses salt pellets and a double filtration to soften so it does not build up on shower heads or damage appliances. I do know that watering plants/flowers with conditioned water can kill them due to salt content, so I took the same approach with my slider. I have raised her from a hatching for the past 5 months in well water and she seems healthy, no wierd spots on her shell. But wanted to ask to head off any potential problems. I can test the water but what am I looking for? Is a simple ph test enough?

[steve]

An API freshwater test kit can test for a range of conditions. Aside from buildup on the shell, hard water is probably not harmful. If I remember correctly, people in the past would mix it 50/50.

[RSteff]

Ok. Thank you. I'm will start mixing the water too

[steve]

No problem. Even then it might be overkill but if the water is potable, you can use it. Also not sure if it is relevant here, but the bigger the tank/water volume you have, the less frequent the water changes you need to do plus you can add things to the tank/filter to naturally soften the water from there.