Water Choice for a Small Container Water Garden

A beginner wants to create a gallon-sized container water garden with floaters (lilies, water lettuce) and asks: tap, distilled, or bottled water?

Best Water Source

• Tap water (dechlorinated): Ideal. Use a water conditioner (dechlorinator) to remove chlorine/chloramine. Test pH and hardness with aquarium kits.
• Bottled spring water: Expensive, often just tap water. No advantage.
• Distilled/RO water: Lacks minerals—plants will starve. Must remineralize.

Setup Tips

1. Fill container, add dechlorinator per label.
2. Test pH (6.5–7.5 ideal) and hardness.
3. Add aquatic plant fertilizer (tablets or liquid).
4. Float plants; ensure 4–6 hours sunlight.
5. Top off with dechlorinated tap water as needed.

A simple setup thrives on conditioned tap water—no need for fancy alternatives.