Using Aquarium Water for Watering Orchids

[Becca]

Hi Everyone!

So I gave a friend a couple of phals....to get her addicted , which won't be hard since she already has fish and turtles and loves plants! We were wondering if it is okay to water the orchids with water from her aquarium. I asked her what chemicals she adds to the water and she said she uses something called Stress Coat by API, which is a water conditioner. Would this water conditioner be similar to what is used in a home water softener system or is it completely different? Well if someone can help us determine if it is safe it would be much appreciated....the bottle didn't really say what exactly was in it. The next choice of water is regular city water.

Thanks in advanced for any help given!

[snow]

i think it is made from the aloevera plant, its kind of a jelly to protect the fishes skin
i personally do not think it is harmfull. but not totally sure.
i use aquarium water all the time but without additives. hope i was of some help. snow

[Ray]

I doubt there would be any problem at all.

[CodiMN]

It's probably good. I'm sure the ph wouldn't be a prob.

[camille1585]

I'm been watering plants and occasionally orchids with tank water for the last 10 years, and I've never had a problem before. I avoid using the tank water only when I have treated the fish for diseases. I think stress coat does have Aloe vera in it and it used also to break down heavy metals and neutralize chlorine.

[unhappykat]

The stress coat should have little effect on the plants as it is an extract of alovera, if anything it might be beneficial to them because it removes chlorine and chloromine from the water which could be harmful to more sensitive plants.

[jbigio]

Tank water would be fine as long as there is no salt. Fresh water tanks (I’ve had fresh and salt water fish for over 35 years) should have aquarium salt added at a rate that would be harmful to orchids. The average dosage is a tablespoon per 5 gallons of water and more for Goldfish verities.