Very hard water 25% RO may be the cure

[chasgood]

Setting up a new 37gal for a community tank and need the water somewhat neutral.
It is City water from a well.

Here are the tap water numbers.
[acronym:d492cf4536="General Hardness"]GH[/acronym:d492cf4536] 300
[acronym:d492cf4536="Carbonate Hardness"]KH[/acronym:d492cf4536] 300 or more
[acronym:d492cf4536="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]PH[/acronym:d492cf4536] over 8.4 (darker than the test kit chart goes)

I then purchased some [acronym:d492cf4536="Reverse osmosis"]RO[/acronym:d492cf4536] water at the local Supercenter (Culligan brand). Refills only 33 cents a [acronym:d492cf4536="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:d492cf4536].
[acronym:d492cf4536="General Hardness"]GH[/acronym:d492cf4536] 0
[acronym:d492cf4536="Carbonate Hardness"]KH[/acronym:d492cf4536] 0
[acronym:d492cf4536="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]PH[/acronym:d492cf4536] 6.2

I then tried mixing the 2 in a glass.
3 parts tap and 1 part [acronym:d492cf4536="Reverse osmosis"]RO[/acronym:d492cf4536]. 25% [acronym:d492cf4536="Reverse osmosis"]RO[/acronym:d492cf4536]
[acronym:d492cf4536="General Hardness"]GH[/acronym:d492cf4536] 150
[acronym:d492cf4536="Carbonate Hardness"]KH[/acronym:d492cf4536] 180
[acronym:d492cf4536="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]PH[/acronym:d492cf4536] 7.8

Next was a 33% mix of [acronym:d492cf4536="Reverse osmosis"]RO[/acronym:d492cf4536]. 2 parts tap 1 part [acronym:d492cf4536="Reverse osmosis"]RO[/acronym:d492cf4536]
[acronym:d492cf4536="General Hardness"]GH[/acronym:d492cf4536] 75
[acronym:d492cf4536="Carbonate Hardness"]KH[/acronym:d492cf4536] 120
[acronym:d492cf4536="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]PH[/acronym:d492cf4536] 7.2

So I think I will go with 25% to 33% [acronym:d492cf4536="Reverse osmosis"]RO[/acronym:d492cf4536].

Does this look ok?

[TankGirl]

I think you are in good shape, and way to go doing your arithmetic beforehand!

What do you plan to keep in there?

Also, you might want to consider a whole house R/O, if that is the kind of water you are bathing in, drinking and washing clothes with - it is probably leaving deposits all over and making it hard to get stuff clean.

[chasgood]

Yeah the water is a big pain in the you know what. Clothes look dull after a few washings.
I started with 6 Tiger Barbs yesterday to do the cycling duty.
Was thinking about adding some of the Tetras. Black skirted, serape, Buenos Ares and bleeding Heart are on my short list. wont be all of them.
Zebra Danios.
Corys and or YO YO Loaches for the bottom.
Maybe some Platys.
I hope to have a active tank.

[TankGirl]

I am partial to serpaes, and have several generations in my community tank. They are very barb-like and active, for sure.

There are many African cichlids that would show awesome colors and behavior with water like you have straight out of the tap, if you ever decide to set up an African tank. Also, livebearers like hard, alkaline water as well and would not necessarily require the R/O cut.

[chasgood]

If I ever get a bigger house to have room for it I would get a nice big 75 to 100 [acronym:e4cc061261="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:e4cc061261] tank and give the Cichlids a try.

The livebearers are nice but I like the Tetras. I like the schooling effect. Will see. have several weeks to decide.
Threw a bag of Aponogeton bulbs from Wal-Mart in the tank last night. One has already started to sprout. 8 were in the package. If only 5 grow I will be happy.

[TankGirl]

I have had good luck with those aponogeton bulbs from Walmart in my water, which is moderatley hard and alkaline.

[chasgood]

7 out of 8 have sprouted now.
Did my first water change last night. Ammonia was a little over .5
25% [acronym:68f44fdec3="Reverse osmosis"]RO[/acronym:68f44fdec3]. Hopefully as the tank ages it will take less [acronym:68f44fdec3="Reverse osmosis"]RO[/acronym:68f44fdec3] to keep [acronym:68f44fdec3="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]PH[/acronym:68f44fdec3] under 8.