Question: Using a rain barrell for water supply?

[holdonbaby]

I've had my axolotl for about two years and this summer is the first time that I'm having issues keeping his tank full. I currently use spring water because the tap water in my area is trash; even with the dechlorinator the ammonia levels are still around .25-.50 ppm. At this point I'm buying gallon jugs of spring water almost weekly. A lot of this is because this is the first summer I've introduced an overhead desk fan to his tank to help keep the water cool; when I initially got him I was a newb and thought that 72-74 F/21-22 C was an ok temp to keep him at. I've since learned that it's very important to keep them at 68-69 F/19 C. ANYWAY, the rapid evaporation is the reason I'm looking into cheaper and more practical water supply alternatives.

I was thinking that possibly using a rain barrel, the kind that collects run off from house gutters, would be a potential solution. Obviously I would test the water prior to adding it to the aquarium, however, I'm not sure if that would be sufficient in determining water quality.

Basically I'm asking whether this option is worth exploring.

 

[Otterwoman]

I might try that myself.

 

[actress8252]

I think that is a great idea, but i would filter the water, (and of course test it) before using it for your axolotl. Speaking of which, may I see picture of it?

 

[xxianxx]

You will need to add minerals to the rain water, otherwise you could kill the axolotl. I use rain water for misting my dart frog and mantella setups and for raising tadpoles.

 

[holdonbaby]

You will need to add minerals to the rain water, otherwise you could kill the axolotl. I use rain water for misting my dart frog and mantella setups and for raising tadpoles.

What type of minerals should I add?

 

[michael]

Their is a product called ro right that is used to add minerals to ro water. It would work for distilled or rain water. I think Holtfreters solution would work too.