Spring Water and Fresh Water Fish

Question
I have to tell you.  You got my attention with the "what's that weird stuff on my fish?" :) Actually my SUBJECT petty much says it all.  I live in an older apartment and cannot attach a water filter to my sink faucet.  I have a Brita but it's only 1 quart of filter at a time.  I have a 20 Gallon tank.  See the problem?  That's why I was wondering if I could use Spring Water (I can by that by the Gallon at least or by the bottles for the bubblers) and save a trip back and forth to the tank 100 times (or more).  So what is the answer.  Spring Water or not.  Also, I'm babysitting a betta.  Why does his water have a oily film on top of the tank.  I've cleaned it twice and within a day it's there again.  Spring water for him too?

This is my first try at an aquarium and I've got to say, it's been fun.  I don't even know who's the man or the woman, but I've had 4 babies so far.

So, I would appreciate ANY and ALL information you can give me about this because I'd like to keep the family tree going.  :)

Answer
Hi Bonnie;

"What's that weird stuff on my fish?"....Can't get more simple than that, eh? Lol!

Bottled water takes so much effort. Is there a specific reason you don't want to use your own tap water in your tank? Unless your tap water is dangerous for you to drink or toxic in some way it shouldn't be a problem. You just have to use a water conditioner when you add it to the tank. They work instantly. Every place I have lived or serviced aquariums we just use whatever tap water is there.  Water conditioner removes chlorine, chloramine, etc., and helps fish with stress. It should be fine. Just don't ever change more than 25% at one time. Replace 25% of your tank water every week and your fishy friends should do "swimmingly". ;-)

Some bettas just have oily film on their water all the time. It really is strange and is thought by some to be part of their slime coating from their bodies. It is sometimes because of their food too. Different brands just contain more oil than others. It stays in the water or comes from the fish's waste.

I hope everything goes okay. Let me know if you have more questions...

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins