Ideas For Dealing With Hard Water?

[Whitebread]

I've got a 90 gallon freshwater tank that I've had for 8 years and moved all over the country, each time re-establishing it with no problems. About 6 months ago I bought a house in an area with rather hard water, and I"m having a hard time dealing with this in my aquarium. Below are my specs-

90 gallon tank, running for 6 months
Emperor HOT filter (2 mesh filters, 2 carbon filters w/ Black Diamond carbon, 2 bio wheels)
commercially purchased gravel substrate
small air stone curtain
fake plants
rocks from local stream (thoroughly boiled)
single 4' flourescent light, on 8-10 hrs/day
temp kept at 77-78 degrees F
Tanks sits between 2 windows but is on the north wall of the house so it rarely sees direct sunlight
3 silver tipped tetras
2 gold gourami
2 small common plecos (2")

Water specs - tested with quick strip test

Tank

PH 8.4+
KH 300+ppm
GH 300+ppm
Nitrite 0ppm
Nitrate 20ppm


Tap water

PH 8.4+
KH 300+ppm
GH300+ppm


I'm having trouble keeping fish alive, and am experiencing algae blooms regularly, even with 25 percent water changes every two weeks. In the past, I've always stocked this tank with 6-10 tetras, 6-8 barbs, 4-6 gouramis, 2 angels, and a pleco or two and never had any issues. I've been unimpressed with the price and effectiveness of off the shelf chemicals and I'm looking for alternative options. The water's not hard enough to merit a whole house softner - the only place it's an issue is in the aquarium. Thanks for your help

 

[Matt_northants]

Your LFS fish should be used to your local water. If you want softwater species use either APIs water softener pillow, IMO rubbish, or RO water in the UK most LFS sell this or you could get a RO unit specifally for aquarium water.

 

[Whitebread]

Your LFS fish should be used to your local water. If you want softwater species use either APIs water softener pillow, IMO rubbish, or RO water in the UK most LFS sell this or you could get a RO unit specifally for aquarium water.

My town is about 4,000 people -no LFS. Kansas City is only 15 minutes away, but that's a separate water utility. I've started looking into RO units, but the one's I've found are over $100, which is more than I want to spend since this is just a basic tropical tank.

 

[loachman]

Your LFS fish should be used to your local water. If you want softwater species use either APIs water softener pillow, IMO rubbish, or RO water in the UK most LFS sell this or you could get a RO unit specifally for aquarium water.

My town is about 4,000 people -no LFS. Kansas City is only 15 minutes away, but that's a separate water utility. I've started looking into RO units, but the one's I've found are over $100, which is more than I want to spend since this is just a basic tropical tank.

the RO system is really the main option. You'll either need to get one yourself, or buy RO water from a LFS.

 

[Luketendo]

Have you actually tested your water yourself?

I live in a 'hard water area' but I emailed my water supplier with my postcode and actually the water in my road is soft.

 

[Whitebread]

Have you actually tested your water yourself?

I live in a 'hard water area' but I emailed my water supplier with my postcode and actually the water in my road is soft.

In my first post you'll see the results under "Tap Water"