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Water Quality Water quality is critical to keep freshwater fish healthy and vibrant. Quality should be adjusted as needed before being added to an aquarium, then managed through the use of frequent water changes, proper filtration and good feeding practices. Never add fish to an aquarium filled with unconditioned tap water. Municipal tap water usually is treated with disinfectants (chlorine or chloramine) that are poisonous to freshwater fish. Tap and well water also may include harmful heavy metals, such as iron and copper, and must be treated with a water conditioner to remove these substances. Bottled, spring or well water also can be used and usually are free from most contaminants. Some pet stores offer RO (reverse osmosis) or RO/DI (deionized) filtered water, from which harmful substances have been removed using special filters. RO or RO/DI water is a good option in areas where tap water is particularly bad for fish, even after the addition of water conditioners. Never use distilled water in aquariums because it lacks nutrients vital to overall fish health.
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