New Water softener - will this be an issue with my tanks?

[Galactik]

So long story short, we might be getting a salt based water softener for the house to help with sediment buildup in the pipes but I wanted to see how this will impact my tanks and how I do water changes going forward.

Will this crash my current setups or will the fish acclimate gradually without too many issues?

Also, with this system in place, do I still need to use declorinator?

I'm currently keeping mostly SA & CA cichlids ie. Oscar, severum, Carpintis & JD

 

[deeda]

I can't advise on the SA & CA cichlids but for my Malawi and Tanganyika cichlids I bypass the softener and run straight well water which is semi-hard. I'm sure others will make some suggestions.

What I suggest is to test your current tap water parameters for GH to see what it is.

You will still need to use a dechlorinator if your tap water contains chlorine or chloramine. A typical water softener only removes or reduces calcium and magnesium ions.

Which brand and model water softener are you thinking of buying? What type of sediment are you seeing that makes you think you need one?

 

[Galactik]

I can't advise on the SA & CA cichlids but for my Malawi and Tanganyika cichlids I bypass the softener and run straight well water which is semi-hard. I'm sure others will make some suggestions.

What I suggest is to test your current tap water parameters for GH to see what it is.

You will still need to use a dechlorinator if your tap water contains chlorine or chloramine. A typical water softener only removes or reduces calcium and magnesium ions.

Which brand and model water softener are you thinking of buying? What type of sediment are you seeing that makes you think you need one?

I appreciate your input, I'll ask to see it I'll have a way to bypass it somehow for this.

I live in central Florida and the water is particularly hard where I'm at (I have to clean all cartridges from the faucets every few months or they clog really bad) and recently started having issues with my water heater due to the buildup.

Were having one of these installed to protect the pipes in the house as they supposedly dissolve all the calcium buildup accumulated. From what I understand the previous owner had to have the plumbing re installed at some point as well. I'm guessing due to the same issue.

But the change in chemistry is a little daunting. I've never been in a low ph scenario before.

 

[duanes]

What a salt based water softener generally does, is replace the calcium ion in hard water with a sodium ion, (so less calcium deposits in plumbing).
Whether this will effect the fish is up for grabs.
As mentioned above, if there is a non-softened tap, that's what I'd use for Central Americans, fish like JDs and carpintus are evolved to live in hard, high pH water.

Above is some collection point data for Herichthys like carpintus
South Americans prefer soft water, but what that means is, mineral free water, not water with extra added sodium.
Below some collection point data for severums.

As you can see, Mexican cichlids don't really belong in the same tank as Amazonian/northern S American cichlids.
Oscars somewhere prefer soft but less so than severums.
That said if your fish are all in the same tank, a half and half mix might help.

 

[deeda]

Maybe check out this topic Joys of hard well water and scroll down to where they talk about a Calmat unit. I do not have any experience with this product and don't know if that would be what might work for you.

Ideally you would have your water tested professionally AND have quotes from different companies on different products that would help your water issues. Do your research on any products before committing to one, maybe even ask neighbors that may be in the same situation as you.

There would be absolutely NO reason why any company could not install a bypass valve to give you the option of softened vs. unsoftened water, it may cost you a few more dollars to do it though.