Hard Water Problems

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O

orgear

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 3, 2006
44
0
0
Ohio
First of all, I know this is my first post, but I did search before I posted. So, here goes.

I have a 55 gal community tank that is almost a month old. I have monitering the water quality at least every other day, if not everyday. Everything is fine except for the hardness and the pH. Both of which are higher than the recomendations in the Mardel test kit I bought and that I read about. I have added both Mardel TankSoft and AP pH Down multiple times per the directions and have seen very small changes. Is there a better way to go about correcting this?

Also, is there a way to correct this in my tap water before I use it for a water change? Other wise the pH and hardness will raise everytime I do a water change.

Thanks for any help you can offer.
 
Howdy orgear, and Welcome to MFK!

The reduction of hardness is possible by several ways, depending on the needs of your fish and the starting parameters. One very common way is the use of peat. It naturally lowers the pH value and reduces hardness, while adding humic substances to the water which many, esp. Amazonian, fishes like. Another way is the use of an R/O system, which is initially comparatively costly. It completely removes everything from your water, and you then mix it with regular tap water or salts to achieve the desired water parameters.

We will be able to provide more specific help if you post your exact water chemistry and fish species. Many "soft water" fishes thrive in somewhat harder water, so you may not even need to do anything about it.

HarleyK
 
It's tough to lower your hardness, I buy fish that are somewhat tolerant of hardwater, and also use driftwood to lower pH.
 
I use 100lbs of malaysian wood in my 135 gallon tank and peat fiber in my filters.
 
dont use chemicals to mess with your ph.unless you are a chemist you will mess it up and kill your fish.most fish will acclimate.let us know your actual ph gh and kh readings and what kind of fish you want.youll get better advise as to what if anything you need to do to the water
 
I agree, don't try to alter pH, this will cause massive swings, which will massively stress your fish.. Use natural methods.
 
Thanks for the replies. I will post the exact numbers as soon as I can. As for fish, right now I have 2 black tetras, 2 serpe tetras and 2 Gold Prestellas(X-ray tetras). Eventually I want one or two angels, 6-10 of the same type of tetra(haven't decided which yet), one or two blue rams, an a couple of cory cats.

Thanks for the help again.
 
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