Providing clean, safe drinking water is critical for keeping reptiles healthy. Tap water contains chemicals like chlorine and fluoride that can be harmful to reptiles. Treating tap water before giving it to reptiles removes these chemicals and makes the water safe for reptile consumption.
What are the risks of giving reptiles untreated tap water?
Untreated tap water poses a few key risks for reptiles:
- Chlorine – Used to disinfect public water supplies, chlorine is toxic to reptiles at high levels. It can irritate skin and scales and even cause organ damage when consumed.
- Fluoride – Added to many public water supplies, fluoride is not very toxic to reptiles. However, buildup over time can cause health issues.
- Heavy metals – Tap water may contain small amounts of heavy metals like lead, copper, and zinc. These can be toxic to reptiles.
- Bacteria – Tap water is not sterile and may contain pathogens. Reptiles with weaker immune systems are vulnerable to bacterial infections.
Symptoms of exposure to these contaminants include lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, skin irritation, and respiratory issues. Providing untreated tap water to reptiles can compromise their health over time.
What options are there for treating tap water?
There are several effective options for removing chlorine, fluoride, heavy metals, and bacteria from tap water to make it safe for reptiles:
Water conditioners
Water conditioners are chemical products designed to remove chlorine and neutralize heavy metals in water. Popular reptile brand conditioners include:
- Zoo Med ReptiSafe
- Exo Terra Aquatize
- Fluker’s ReptaClean
- TetraFauna ReptoGuard
These are added to tap water and left to sit for a few minutes per the product instructions, then are safe for reptiles to drink.
Reverse osmosis filtration
Reverse osmosis (RO) water filtration systems push water through a semipermeable membrane to remove contaminants. They effectively eliminate chlorine, fluoride, heavy metals, and bacteria from tap water. While expensive initially, they provide a long-term solution for producing clean water for reptiles.
Dechlorinating filters
Activated carbon filters designed specifically for reptiles remove chlorine and chloramine from tap water as it passes through. They do not treat for other contaminants like metals or bacteria. Common brands are Zoomed Turtle Clean and TetraFauna ReptoFilter.
Distilled water
Distilled water is one of the purest sources of water since impurities are removed through the distillation process. It can be purchased cheaply at most grocery stores. However, nutritional supplements may need to be added to balance the mineral content.
Spring water
Natural spring water often has balanced mineral content and is contaminant-free. Check that the source is reliable and the water is not supplemented in any way. It can be a handy option when traveling with reptiles.
How do you treat water with conditioners?
Treating tap water with chemical conditioners is quick and easy:
- Fill a clean container, tank, or jug with tap water.
- Read the instructions on the conditioner product and add the correct dose to the water.
- Gently swirl or mix the water to distribute the conditioner.
- Let the treated water sit for the recommended contact time.
- The water is now ready for drinking by reptiles!
Dose water conditioners according to your reptile’s tank size. Treat only what is needed for 1-2 days to keep the water fresh.
How to use reverse osmosis filtration
Using an RO system for reptile water requires an initial setup and periodic maintenance:
- Installation – RO systems connect to the cold water supply under a sink or come with a reservoir. A separate spout or dispenser provides the filtered water.
- Maintenance – Replace pre-filter cartridges every 2-6 months. Replace the RO membrane every 2-3 years.
- Operation – Turn on the water source to produce filtered water. Dispense into clean reptile dishes as needed.
- Storage – Refrigerate unused filtered water in sealed containers for up to 1 week.
RO systems produce water very slowly, so plan to filter water 1-2 days in advance. An RO system with a reservoir tank can store and dispense larger volumes at once.
Using dechlorinating filters
Reptile dechlorinating filters have a similar process to other water filters:
- Connect the filter to the tap water supply via the provided tubing/adaptor.
- Run the tap for a few minutes to flush the system.
- Fill reptile water containers directly from the filter’s output.
- Replace the filter cartridge every 1-2 months as needed.
Most dechlorinating filter cartridges have a limited lifespan and lose effectiveness over time. Mark your calendar to replace them regularly.
How often should treated water be changed?
Change out treated water for fresh water:
- Bowl-dwelling reptiles – Daily.
- Cage-dwelling reptiles – Every 2-3 days.
- Aquatic turtle tanks – Weekly, or more often if water gets dirty.
Dump old water, rinse bowls/dishes thoroughly, and refill with freshly treated water. Deep clean supplies with mild soap and hot water periodically.
More frequent water changes may be needed in hot weather or if reptiles defecate in their water source. Monitor water cleanliness and replace immediately if contaminated.
What if tap water seems unsafe to drink?
If there are major issues with your local tap water quality, don’t use it for reptiles without taking extra precautions:
- Install a whole house water filter to treat all incoming water.
- Use bottled distilled or natural spring water instead of tap.
- Consider investing in an under-sink RO system for reptiles.
- Use boiled, cooled tap water for temporary use only.
Check local water quality reports for levels of chlorine, heavy metals, and other contaminants before using tap water for reptiles. When in doubt, go with a safer water source.
Can you use bottled drinking water?
Bottled drinking water, including natural spring water and purified water, can be safely given to reptiles under certain conditions:
- Check that the water is not supplemented with fluoride, minerals, or other additives.
- Choose a natural spring water with balanced minerals if possible.
- Avoid bottled “drinking” or “purified” water, which tend to have fewer minerals.
- Change bottled water frequently, as plastic can harbor bacteria over time.
In general, it is safer to use freshly treated tap water. Use bottled options only for occasional use or while traveling.
Can well water be used for reptiles?
Well water can be an excellent choice for reptiles if the quality is good. Have well water tested annually for:
- Bacteria like E. coli
- Nitrates/nitrites
- pH and alkalinity
- Minerals like calcium and magnesium
Treat well water with conditioners if needed to remove chlorine from any supplemental disinfection. Use RO filtration or bottled water if water quality is poor or unknown.
Is boiled tap water safe for reptiles?
Boiling tap water kills bacteria and microorganisms, but has limitations:
- Does not remove chlorine, fluoride, or heavy metals
- Can concentrate contaminants the longer it is boiled
- Loses oxygen; reptiles need oxygenated water
Only use boiled tap water for temporary, emergency situations. It is not a good permanent solution for providing reptiles with safe drinking water.
Can distilled water be used exclusively?
Pure distilled water lacks beneficial minerals, so it should not be the only water source for reptiles. However, it can be used to supplement and balance treated tap or filtered water by:
- Mixing half distilled and half tap water
- Adding calcium or multivitamin supplements to distilled water
- Alternating distilled and treated tap water periodically
Varied water sources provide a diversity of minerals needed for reptile health. Using some distilled water can give more control over total mineral intake.
Is rainwater suitable for reptiles?
Natural rainwater can be used for reptiles, with some precautions:
- Collect rainwater from clean rooftops or containers, not directly from the ground.
- Filter collected rainwater through a fine mesh to remove debris.
- Store rainwater in a cool, dark area in tightly sealed containers.
- Change rainwater every few days to prevent bacterial growth.
Rainwater may be very pure, so combine it with other treated water sources to ensure balanced mineral nutrition for reptiles.
Can reptiles drink bottled “spring” water?
Bottled spring water is generally safe for reptiles if it meets the following criteria:
- Sourced from a protected, natural spring
- Has not been modified by adding minerals or supplements
- Has a balanced mineral profile
- Is free of chlorine, fluoride, and contaminants
Check the bottle label closely and research the brand’s water source. Test out new spring water brands slowly to watch for any issues.
How to make tap water safe during emergencies
If there is an emergency water supply disruption, use these methods to make tap water safe for reptiles:
- Boil tap water for 15 minutes, let cool completely. Use for up to 1 week only.
- Add an emergency water disinfectant like sodium thiosulfate. Dose per product instructions.
- Use store-bought distilled, purified, or spring water for the short term.
- Travel to access safe drinking water from friends/family’s facilities.
Monitor reptiles closely when forced to use emergency water sources. Resume treated tap water or filtered water as soon as possible.
How to make well water safe for reptile consumption
To use well water safely for reptiles, test and treat it as follows:
- Test annually for bacteria, nitrates, pH, and minerals.
- Install whole house filtration if water quality is poor.
- Add water conditioner if needed to remove chlorine.
- Balance minerals and pH with supplements if required.
- Use RO system or alternative water source if water cannot be made safe.
Improving poor well water quality provides the healthiest, most natural water source for reptiles.
Conclusion
With some planning and preparation, tap water from most municipal sources can be made safe for reptiles to drink. Chemical water conditioners, dechlorinating filters, and RO systems all effectively remove common tap water contaminants. Supplement with mineral-balanced water alternatives like distilled or spring water for added benefits. Always provide reptiles with fresh, clean water free of chlorine, fluoride, and other chemicals for optimal health.
