Water softeners and aquariums - Aquarium Advice

Daddyo · 04-15-2003, 08:55 PM

I believe I'm stuck. I have two options available to me to fill my new tank, either the water from my water softener, or the extremely mineral laden HARD water from the tap.

Any suggestions on what to do? I could buy water from the store, but the logistics of bringing home 50 gallons of water in my compact car confound me.

So basically, which is the lesser of two evils? HARD water or softened water? If it helps, the softener isn't supposed to use salt, but I'm sure they use sodium to clean out the media.

loganj · 04-15-2003, 09:07 PM

What kind of fish do you intend to keep? If you have hard, alkaline water, you're a perfect candidate for an African Cichlid tank as they love this kind of water. If you're looking to keep fish that come from soft, acidic environments, it might be a problem.
Everything I have ever read says not to use water from a softener. It is artificially soft...ie it provides an unnatural environment for the fish. Since yours doesn't use salt, that may be different. I've never seen one that didn't use salt. Is there a source for RO/DI water? LFS perhaps? You might also consider mixing RO/DI or distilled water with your tap water to get the correct hardness/pH. Just some thoughts.
Logan J

Daddyo · 04-15-2003, 11:25 PM

Thanks for the suggestion! I didn't even think about diluting the hard water with some distilled. That would probably do the trick, and I can just run the hose to the tank to fill it up.

04-15-2003, 08:55 PM	#1
Daddyo Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4	Water softeners and aquariums I believe I'm stuck. I have two options available to me to fill my new tank, either the water from my water softener, or the extremely mineral laden HARD water from the tap. Any suggestions on what to do? I could buy water from the store, but the logistics of bringing home 50 gallons of water in my compact car confound me. So basically, which is the lesser of two evils? HARD water or softened water? If it helps, the softener isn't supposed to use salt, but I'm sure they use sodium to clean out the media.

04-15-2003, 09:07 PM	#2
loganj Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Chatsworth, GA Posts: 4,008	What kind of fish do you intend to keep? If you have hard, alkaline water, you're a perfect candidate for an African Cichlid tank as they love this kind of water. If you're looking to keep fish that come from soft, acidic environments, it might be a problem. Everything I have ever read says not to use water from a softener. It is artificially soft...ie it provides an unnatural environment for the fish. Since yours doesn't use salt, that may be different. I've never seen one that didn't use salt. Is there a source for RO/DI water? LFS perhaps? You might also consider mixing RO/DI or distilled water with your tap water to get the correct hardness/pH. Just some thoughts. Logan J __________________ Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. Logan J www.captiveraisedcorals.com

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04-15-2003, 11:25 PM	#3
Daddyo Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4	Thanks for the suggestion! I didn't even think about diluting the hard water with some distilled. That would probably do the trick, and I can just run the hose to the tank to fill it up.