Softened water

Vince

Vince

New Member
Ok on a previous thread we were talking about reptisafe tap water and purified water and what was good for our chameleons. This all got me thinking, when i go home this summer my parents have a water softener (salt added). Is this safe for a chameleon to drink?? Also, we have a water faucet that hasn't been ran through the softener, but smells like sulfur. Is this safe for my chameleon?
I know i could use rain water but i use a mister and don't want any problems with my nozzles clogging. If someone has a good way to filter rain water please let me know.
Just a concern of mine because i usually by distilled water, and that can get expensive after a while of buying it by the gallon. Especially when you are using a misting system, them things can pump some water.
Anyway, thanks for any responses:)
 
distilled water will be missing certain elements. why not buy large containers of drinking water for human consumption? the type you put in the fridge that has a tap. rainwater sounds like it should be clean/safe/pure, but think of all the pollution on the way down, especially if you live in a city.
 
jojackson said:
distilled water will be missing certain elements. why not buy large containers of drinking water for human consumption? the type you put in the fridge that has a tap. rainwater sounds like it should be clean/safe/pure, but think of all the pollution on the way down, especially if you live in a city.
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I dont live in the city when im at home for the summer. In the country closest city is about 45 mins away driving 55mph

That is the only reason i thought rain water could be a option. But i do agree still, it dont matter how far away really from the city there is still going to be some kind of pollution these days.
 
Dunnigan said:
Thats what i use, 1.99 at publix for 2 gallons
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I would use that for 1.99 but if i can use the tap water i would rather. Inside i use about a gallon if not more a day with the misting. I plan on letting him get plenty of outside time this summer so i would use even more water outside keeping him cool and hydrated.
Just not sure about the softened water...
 
Hmm... I don't know if this helps, but:

So I have a betta. For awhile before I used the water conditioner, I'd boil water and let it cool in a baking pan for about 30 minutes (or so). I know that something about boiling water gets some of the not-fish-friendly stuff out of it. I know that having water sit aside for a day or so is good, too, because all the clorine evaporates.

I don't know if this helps for hard water, but if it's the minerals that are the problem I think that letting your water sit out like mentioned above actually causes the minerals to sink to the bottom of the container and can be seperated that way. Not sure about the sulfur, though. :confused: What happens with the smell if you let it sit for a day, or a few hours?
 
zelink14 said:
Hmm... I don't know if this helps, but:

So I have a betta. For awhile before I used the water conditioner, I'd boil water and let it cool in a baking pan for about 30 minutes (or so). I know that something about boiling water gets some of the not-fish-friendly stuff out of it. I know that having water sit aside for a day or so is good, too, because all the clorine evaporates.

I don't know if this helps for hard water, but if it's the minerals that are the problem I think that letting your water sit out like mentioned above actually causes the minerals to sink to the bottom of the container and can be seperated that way. Not sure about the sulfur, though. :confused: What happens with the smell if you let it sit for a day, or a few hours?
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I am not sure i really haven't experimented with it yet. But that does make since that most of the sediments would sink. It inst an overwhelming sulfur smell, but it is there for sure. Ill have to check it out though.
 
Can you afford and RO system? your whole family could benifit from it at the sink for drinking water.

If you do decide to take that route send me a PM.... If you use well water you might need some extras along with your RO system.
 
I'm confused why softened water is associated with salt as a component of the softened water.
Water softeners use beads that collect hard water elements, ( specifically minerals ) , from hard water as it passes by them. The result is softer water and beads that hold the hard minerals. The water softener unit will then need to run a refresh cycle to remove the hard minerals from the beads. This is done by flushing brine, ( salt water), past the beads, thereby removing the hard minerals and then flushing the whole system with fresh water . The result should be salt free soft water .
I would expect that , only a malfunctioning water softener would add salt to the softened water.
 
ChromaChameleons said:
I'm confused why softened water is associated with salt as a component of the softened water.
Water softeners use beads that collect hard water elements, ( specifically minerals ) , from hard water as it passes by them. The result is softer water and beads that hold the hard minerals. The water softener unit will then need to run a refresh cycle to remove the hard minerals from the beads. This is done by flushing brine, ( salt water), past the beads, thereby removing the hard minerals and then flushing the whole system with fresh water . The result should be salt free soft water .
I would expect that , only a malfunctioning water softener would add salt to the softened water.
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There is still going to be small amounts of sodium in the water. (from the salt) That is why i am concerned, it is not pure water. And if sodium poses a threat i don't want to use it.
The amounts of sodium aren't severe for us, but for a delicate chameleon is another story. Did you read the link that was given in this thread??
 
I did read the link , but there was no analysis of softened water, just the author's opinion. I'm tempted to have my softened water analysed by a lab . It may be interesting to see what residual salt , if any , is present in the softened water.

Again, to understand the mechanics of softening water, suggests that salt is only used as a scrubbing agent , to release the bond of hard minerals to the beads.

Much like dish soap aiding in cleaning dishes. How much dish soap residual is left after a fresh water rinse?
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChromaChameleons
I'm confused why softened water is associated with salt as a component of the softened water.
Water softeners use beads that collect hard water elements, ( specifically minerals ) , from hard water as it passes by them. The result is softer water and beads that hold the hard minerals. The water softener unit will then need to run a refresh cycle to remove the hard minerals from the beads. This is done by flushing brine, ( salt water), past the beads, thereby removing the hard minerals and then flushing the whole system with fresh water . The result should be salt free soft water .
I would expect that , only a malfunctioning water softener would add salt to the softened water.
There is still going to be small amounts of sodium in the water. (from the salt) That is why i am concerned, it is not pure water. And if sodium poses a threat i don't want to use it.
The amounts of sodium aren't severe for us, but for a delicate chameleon is another story. Did you read the link that was given in this thread??
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I like this! People thinking freely and arguing intelligently without being accused of being 'hostile' or 'attacking'. This is how you learn stuff, by asking questions, by questioning things folk say. Well done folks, this forum needs more of this than 'suck up' a** Kissing , 'too nice, for fear upsetting some poor baby' stuff .

Why shouldnt they discuss the whys and what nots of water quality etc. I for one find intelligent discussion enlightening.

On with the discussion guys..... :)
 
If you're that concerned about soft water (I wouldn't use it) and the sulfur-smelling water - let's just say, if you wouldn't drink it, DEFINITELY don't let your cham drink it.

Think about purchasing a reverse osmosis system like summoner said, or invest in some good spring/drinking water.
 
Syn said:
If you're that concerned about soft water (I wouldn't use it) and the sulfur-smelling water - let's just say, if you wouldn't drink it, DEFINITELY don't let your cham drink it.

Think about purchasing a reverse osmosis system like summoner said, or invest in some good spring/drinking water.
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Ok, im 21 in college live with parents in the summer NO WAY AM I GOING TO AFFORD A RO SYSTEM.

AS for the softened water, we determined that isn't good because of the sodium. So i wont use it. As for the unsoftened water i think it will be fine as long as the little sulfur smell doesn't turn him away. As for the drinking water, if you want to buy it go for it, my personal opinion is, i would have be crazy to run a misting system with bought drinking water. When im going through a gallon inside. Imagine a hot day outside he will go through more than a gallon to stay cool and hydrated. Do the math, that is a lot of money for a summer of drinking water. This is why i posted this thread it is a concern of mine.
 
It really irks me when people like the author of that assume that all wells are contaminated with surface runoff. I drill them for a living and I would much rather drink water from a properly done well than city water. If it is done correctly it should have no surface water in it. Sorry, just strikes a nerve. :D
 
I was only trying to offer suggestions, you don't have to buy drinking water from WalMart or Target, where I live there are places you can REFILL gallons of water for about 10cents or so.

Also, I got to thinking, if you're worried about the sulfur water take a sample of it to PetSmart, most of the time they will test your water for free, or you can purchase a water testing kit of your own.
 
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Syn said:
I was only trying to offer suggestions, you don't have to buy drinking water from WalMart or Target, where I live there are places you can REFILL gallons of water for about 10cents or so.

Also, I got to thinking, if you're worried about the sulfur water take a sample of it to PetSmart, most of the time they will test your water for free, or you can purchase a water testing kit of your own.
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Thats cool, i didn't know petsmart would do that. I will definitely get it tested. I don't want to use some water that i THINK is ok.
 
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