HCA: Hermit Crab Association

If we buy distilled water from the store, is that the same as if we bought a dechlorinator mix for fresh water and add the mix to our water?

Because of our ROS, I am thinking of buying off the shelf already-made water but wanted to know the least expensive choices. That way, any chemicals that are added or stripped from the ROS is not a factor.

Distilled water is heavily stripped of any nutrients. I wouldn't recommend it for a constant water source personally, but I know of others who have used it before.

I collect rain water. Go figure right? Hehe... I have a 2.5 gallon container (you can get them with distilled water in them from the store. ) and I set bowls outside away from the house and up on a little table. Away from the house to prevent roof run off and on a table to prevent dirt splattering into the bowl. I use a funnel to pour the water in to the 2.5 gallon container and set a clean cheesecloth (medical supply thingie provided by my nurse mother and mother-in-law) over it to strain the water of any large chunks of grass or bugs or something.

I've been giving my crabbies rain water for over 2 years now with no adverse side effects. Use your best judgement though.

Ok, I've been reading on other sites about water in general.

Distilled water may be stripped of nutrients, but is probably safer than the tap water from the ROS we have. Bottled water can get expensive, but may work. With the various bottled waters out there, any particular brand that is "better" or what to look for in bottled water? I know that the taste (and price) can differ between brands, but for the sake of hermit crabs what is considered best?

I keep looking back on what all has changed prior to Goliath's passing, and what's been happening since, and my thoughts keeps going back to the introduction of the fresh-water and salt-water mixes. Goliath was so outgoing before this and after the introduction, it was a quick turn-around. And with David being the way he is, I think it's a reaction to the mix or the mix has a different unexpected reaction when used with ROS.

There was a debate on another site about water. It's a personal preference as to what you use.

But a number of experience crabbers, use distilled water, which is 'dead' water. Distilled water is not good as the only source of water, the same as it is with humans. But by providing saltwater, they'll get the minerals they need.

I like distilled water because there is no chance (as chances go) of anything harmful being in it. However, I now have access to water from a tap that has a reverse osmosis filter. (Read free).

So I recommend distilled water.

I like distilled water because there is no chance (as chances go) of anything harmful being in it. However, I now have access to water from a tap that has a reverse osmosis filter. (Read free).

So I recommend distilled water.

If I read this right, you have a ROS, and don't give water from the ROS filter to the crabs? Instead, you use distilled water?

Do you give them distilled water straight up for their fresh water (I sound like I'm ordering an alcoholic beverage!)? And mix it with Oceanic or some other salt mix for the salt water?

Water purified by Reverse Osmosis is excellent for hermies. That's what I use, and always have. Distilled is OK, too, but RO is better.

Water purified by Reverse Osmosis is excellent for hermies. That's what I use, and always have. Distilled is OK, too, but RO is better.

Lemme guess: you get it from the little thingy next to the main water in the kitchen sink, and you religiously replace *all* filters for the ROS and maintain it properly?

No . I buy it from the dispenser at the store......"purified by Reverse Osmosis, with minerals filtered over for taste". It's what I always drink, and what I've used for my hermies since I've had them (.....7 years now? I think). I haven't gone to the home RO unit because it would cost about the same per gallon as buying it at the store, and I don't want to deal with the upkeep. But, lots of fishkeepers use RO, and if it's good enough for marine fish, I figure it's fine for hermies.