HCA: Hermit Crab Association

So I am needing to use better water and have been thinking about ordering some Prime for it. Even with that though, using tap water makes me really nervous. Is it safe to use spring water without treating it? Will I have problems with ammonia or anything dangerous in spring water? If I used spring or distilled for my salt water and spring for my fresh water would it be safe for them and all that? This feels repetitive but I just want to cover all my bases.

From what I understand it is better to use tap water and use prime so that there are minerals in the water. That is what I do.

Oh wait but i thought spring water wasn't demineralized like distilled, they just took the bad stuff out?

Here is a thread on water. http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... R#p1102647

GotButterflies wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 07, 2021 3:52 pm

Here is a thread on water. http://www.hermitcrabassociation.com/ph ... R#p1102647

thanks

Would the purified water that is in jugs at the store be better than spring? I am really trying to find something other than distilled that is safe without prime but not crazy expensive. I know there is purified jugs by the spring and distilled in the store and I was thinking maybe it would be best?

Are you unable to find Prime (or a suitable dechlorinator) to use with your tap water?

quinnn12 wrote:Would the purified water that is in jugs at the store be better than spring? I am really trying to find something other than distilled that is safe without prime but not crazy expensive. I know there is purified jugs by the spring and distilled in the store and I was thinking maybe it would be best?

Purified water has fewer contaminates than spring.


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They drink spring water in the wild. That really about sums it up.

There is no label control on bottled water, so you are more likely to get bottled tap than something straight out of a natural spring.

wodesorel wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 22, 2021 4:40 am

There is no label control on bottled water, so you are more likely to get bottled tap than something straight out of a natural spring.

That’s why I test brands from time to time. Both Great Value and Ozarka are legit.

HermitofHermitCrabs wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 21, 2021 11:43 pm

They drink spring water in the wild. That really about sums it up.

Not really, they drink from a wide range of water sources. While springs (ground water) can certainly be a source, they likely to also drink water from puddles and such (rain water) as well as dew produced in the early morning. (Than there's ocean)

Water doesn't have to be complex, but its important that they are being offered the appropriate water to ensure their success.


I can't confirm about the brands of spring water you mentioned, but its very likely they are bottled tap water or likely to be a mix. :/

I took a water class in college a few years back (for a natural resources degree). Like Aussie said, "spring water" isn't necessarily that. The labels companies are allowed to use can be vague and not regulated. The water that's bottled up isn't regulated like it should be either. We were presented a few studies that found there were more bacteria and contaminants present in bottled water than in tap water. That's why I always treat any water with Prime, even my well water. You just never know what's lurking in there.

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CrabbyLover77 wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 22, 2021 6:20 pm

I took a water class in college a few years back (for a natural resources degree). Like Aussie said, "spring water" isn't necessarily that. The labels companies are allowed to use can be vague and not regulated. The water that's bottled up isn't regulated like it should be either. We were presented a few studies that found there were more bacteria and contaminants present in bottled water than in tap water. That's why I always treat any water with Prime, even my well water. You just never know what's lurking in there.

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I can't take credit for this one, its entirely Wode! ^_^

Keep in mind, prime does not really affect bacteria and some contaminates (thinking biological derived contaminated), so it isn't 100% fool proof.

CrabbyLover77 wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 22, 2021 6:20 pm

I took a water class in college a few years back (for a natural resources degree).

I have been paranoid ever since taking Environmental Geology 101. The professor was responsible for maping well contamination for a university project. Something about one of the popular pizza places serving coliform bacteria along with their crispy crust. And about the amount of bacteria that grows in Brita filters when left out at room temperature, because once that chlorine is removed from tap water it is a free for all. Ughhhhh