Here is an article which states just what you had clarified... That distilled water is safe to use as top off water in a marine setting that contains fish. One site states do not use distilled water about every other sentence
...
One problem. In my most recent research it states that Distilled water should not be used because of the increased potential of contaminating ones system with "metals" <G>
Thanks for correcting and clarifying my stament about the distilled water.
Sincerely, Wayne
THE ARTICLE:
Distilled water
Bob,
I've been using distilled water with a auto doser for topping off my 75 gal tank. Is distilled water ok to use? I pulled this off a web site.
<It is okay... just expensive... and impractical insomuch as you've got to go get it and lug it around... R.O. or Deionized (made at home) would be more than fine>
"This applies to distilled water in that you have an extremely low (if not zero) concentration of salts and other minerals in distilled water. A frog's cells, on the other hand are chock-full of salts and enzymes and minerals - in short, highly concentrated. The cell membrane of a frog cell, and indeed, one of any animal, is water-permeable, allowing the distilled water to cross over into the cells
in an attempt to equalize the concentration of substances on either side
of the cell wall. The pressure will build up more and more until the cell pops.
If a frog is exposed to distilled water on a consistent basis, then it will eventually die. (BTW: the same goes for people [takes a while] and fish, the latter being the subject of a rather odd running joke in my biology class "The exploding goldfish")
In summary, I would avoid the use of distilled water with any aquatic /
semi aquatic species. Instead, look around at spring water.
Artesian sources are usually a fairly safe source in my experience. "
<Not bunk... if you were keeping your livestock in just this water... however, your salt mix has plenty of ions, other dissolved solids... that don't leave solution... when the water otherwise evaporates... and that is what you're replacing>
Can you tell me if this is bunk? And a simple question, will boxfish consume soft corals?
<Sometimes, yes.>
Look forward to reading the questions everyday. Thanks, Darren
<Glad that we're connecting. Bob Fenner>