Distilled water

Is it safe to give a ball python distilled water? My BP just got here, and he drank a whole lot of water! I hope distilled water is safe for him, that's what he drank.

Some people will claim that distilled water is bad because it doesn't have minerals in it. But any minerals in water are in trace amounts and any creature that's eating normally ought to be getting enough minerals in their food. Plus, the Navy distills sea water for the sailors to drink and you don't hear about Navy men suffering any ill effects from that. So I believe it's safe. But maybe buy drinking water instead of distilled next time, just because it costs the same and you might as well.

I use distilled water all the time in my vivariums (doesn't leave hard water spots on the glass) and the lizards and frogs and plants in them don't seem to be any the worse for wear.

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Originally Posted by MarkS

I use distilled water all the time in my vivariums (doesn't leave hard water spots on the glass) and the lizards and frogs and plants in them don't seem to be any the worse for wear.

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Hmm, thanks for sharing!!:gj:

It's not bad at all, it's just not nessisary unless your normal water is crap. Normal tap water works just fine also. If you feel you need/want to give them distilled, go for it.

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Originally Posted by OhhWatALoser

It's not bad at all, it's just not nessisary unless your normal water is crap. Normal tap water works just fine also. If you feel you need/want to give them distilled, go for it.

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I've read many views on this - I think if it's safe for humans it's safe for animals...point is to keep them hydrated.

In regards to tap water - do you let it sit? Some people say they let it sit over night because of the chlorine. We bought a Brita just for Valentine - we fill it then leave it by her tank so it always does allow time to dissipate but I'm just wondering if that's even necessary.

There is nothing toxic in distilled water - there is nothing else in it. I've seen it claimed that the lack of any trace minerals could be a problem long term, but that said, I don't know of any necessary minerals that a whole prey food item wouldn't cover. (Someone with more of a nutrition background might be able to clarify this.)

Like Mark, I use distilled water to spray down the vivs. The glass stays spotless that way, and sometimes my snake will lap up the droplets. I use old fish water to water the plants in my bio-active vivs, and I put Berkey filtered drinking water in the water bowls.

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Originally Posted by Snoopyslim

In regards to tap water - do you let it sit? Some people say they let it sit over night because of the chlorine. We bought a Brita just for Valentine - we fill it then leave it by her tank so it always does allow time to dissipate but I'm just wondering if that's even necessary.

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I use water straight from the tap without letting it sit.

Most modern water treatment plants use chloramine, not just chlorine anymore. It doesn't dissipate if you let it sit.

I just use tap water for my pets. But if you have particularly unpleasant tap water (while on a Disney vacation I noticed that most Orlando water tastes and smells like sulphur. Ugh! I would probably get an RO unit if I lived there), no reason not to use bottled water.

Most grocery stores have an RO water dispenser for you to refill your water jugs. It's a lot cheaper than pre-bottled water and less waste because you're re-using the jug.

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Originally Posted by DennisM

I use water straight from the tap without letting it sit.

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I mean it makes complete sense that it would be fine. When we first got her I was over paranoid and read SO much including lots of misinformation.

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Originally Posted by danielwilu2525

My BP just got here, and he drank a whole lot of water!

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I've had my BP for 8 months and have yet to see it drink any water. LOL

FWIW, I just use tap water as well.

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Originally Posted by Snoopyslim

I've read many views on this - I think if it's safe for humans it's safe for animals...point is to keep them hydrated.

In regards to tap water - do you let it sit? Some people say they let it sit over night because of the chlorine. We bought a Brita just for Valentine - we fill it then leave it by her tank so it always does allow time to dissipate but I'm just wondering if that's even necessary.

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Once the chlorine is gone, the bacteria it prevents starts growing. Given how much chlorine you need to be exposed to to even cause minor issues and the amount recorded to do major damage being off the charts, I don't worry about it at all. Same with the bacteria that grows, low amounts seem to have no effect. High amounts make people sick. I would be more worried about the water that's been sitting there for a few weeks.

Personally I do weekly water bowl changes, my animals seem to be fine.

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Originally Posted by OhhWatALoser

Once the chlorine is gone, the bacteria it prevents starts growing. Given how much chlorine you need to be exposed to to even cause minor issues and the amount recorded to do major damage being off the charts, I don't worry about it at all. Same with the bacteria that grows, low amounts seem to have no effect. High amounts make people sick. I would be more worried about the water that's been sitting there for a few weeks.

Personally I do weekly water bowl changes, my animals seem to be fine.

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Just so you know we don't leave it out for weeks lol it's emptied within a week, Brita doesn't actually hold much water :P But great point I might just start using the tap water.