Britta filter for water changes?

[Scapexghost]

The tap water here is pretty gross tasting so i use a britta filter. Is it a good idea to use this for top offs and water changes? From what i can tell, the filter mostly just removes chlorine/chloramine but im not sure.

[mynameisnobody]

Usually bad tasting water equates to hard water. Here in Florida, the water is super hard, but it’s perfectly fine for the fish and the plants love the extra minerals. I definitely wouldn’t filter it, however I would use a dechlorinator. 

[nabokovfan87]

On 2/12/2023 at 3:51 PM, Scapexghost said:

The tap water here is pretty gross tasting so i use a britta filter. Is it a good idea to use this for top offs and water changes? From what i can tell, the filter mostly just removes chlorine/chloramine but im not sure.

Try Zero water instead.  It's a bit better filter where the brita is basically just carbon for a few seconds.  There are 5G versions which work well for smaller tanks.  The faucet based models will never do enough to actually work long term.  You'd want to use one of the undersink filters available at pretty much any hardware store.  If you also with you can get "whole home" versions.  3-5 stage is the norm. 

Yes you can use the "basic filters" but you're much better off spending the same amount or slightly higher towards something slightly longer term for the hobby if that is a concern.  Maybe it's a good time to test the tap and see what is going on.  You might be smelling nitrates or ammonia.