Soft Water?

[ThatAquaristChick1234]

Hey guys! My parents just put in a soft water thing (makes the water softer or whatever) Will this effect my fish in anyway? I drank some, and i threw up (weird?) so im worried it would have a bad effect on my fish? Im really concerned.

 

[techen]

What is a "Soft water thing" And why did you have it installed? What was your water before?
 
It's more than likely will effect your fish, As for now it will be happy where the PH is set too now, Lowering it quickly will cause problems and fish deaths.

 

[fluttermoth]

Well, there are two kinds of 'water softener'.
 
One kind actually does soften the water, by removing some of the dissolved minerals. That sort will be okay for you to use with your fish (and be safe for you to drink!)
 
The other king replaces some of the minerals with sodium; the water behaves as if it's softer, so it's better for your washing machine/dishwasher, but it still has the same amount of dissolved matter, and is actually slightly brackish, so no good for fish, or for drinking. 
 
You'll have to find out from your parents which they've had put in.
 
If it's the second type, they should have been told it's not for drinking, and you should have at least one tap that's not connected to the softener.

 

[ThatAquaristChick1234]

ok thanks guys. ill ask them and im sure theyll let me have one tap unlinked to it. im also going to test the ph 

 

[ThatAquaristChick1234]

He said it does not add sodium or salt, but he said it adds potassium 

 

[fluttermoth]

Ah, ok. Not safe for your fish then, I'm afraid.

 

[ThatAquaristChick1234]

oh man Darn it


Guys dont worry, our front yard hose is not hooked up to it Im so relieved!

 

[DrRob]

Anything with a bypass for drinking, as a rule, won't be safe for fish.
 
We have a similar softener, uses sodium rather than potassium, but the principle is the same. I wouldn't use it on my tanks without extra treatments.