Too Hard

[theamazingmaise]

Does any one know how to sofen my tanks water? The tap water is too hard for the fish i want.

 

[phlawed]

driftwood is a natural softener. might take some time though.

 

[@ombomb]

Unless you're looking for something particularly delicate, most fish are pretty adaptable to water conditions as long as they are stable.

What are the water stats?

What are you after?

 

[theamazingmaise]

I want to get some blue rams and they like it soft to medium and my water's hard. All the other states are fine.

 

[@ombomb]

Best bet is to use a 50/50 mix of tap/RO water really.

 

[MoreCoffee]

If you have live plants in the tank, adding CO2 will lower your PH and greatly improve plant growth.


Depending on your tank setup peat and RO will certainly work, but can be expensive and not all filters are suitable.
DIY/CO2 systems are cheap to buy, run and easy to install in just about any size tank, although if you have a tank over 250ltrs a pressurised system will probably give better results.

 

[Bloo]

If you have live plants in the tank, adding CO2 will lower your PH and greatly improve plant growth.

That will drop the pH, but still won't really do anything much to the gH.
I've never had success with Rams in the hard water here in London

What exactly are your stats ? pH, kH & gH ?

 

[theamazingmaise]

I heard something about rain water? does that work? My Ph is 7, Kh is 120, and Gh is 150.


How much are peat filters and what are they?