Water Softener (Potassium Chloride) Use

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MollysMollies

Aquarium Advice Activist
Joined
Aug 11, 2014
Messages
133
Location
Albuquerque, NM-USA
I have an 85 gal Discus tank among other smaller tanks and have just purchased a Potassium Chloride water softener system and Reverse Osmosis drinking water system for my entire house. Anyone have experience on using this softened water for tanks?
I have the option of leaving a valve available with the city water to use for my tanks. Looking for experienced advice on this. I don’t want to hurt my fish. Thanks!
 
If I can’t have them on the softened water, I’ll have to get a storage tank with a heater for water changes since it won’t be going through to the water heater.
 
I wouldn't think potassium chloride would affect them adversely. If you switch over from tap water I would switch out say....10% of the water daily to get them acclimated.
 
Gradual change is best. Also look into the buffering quality, I'm not a chemist but if its like other chemicals used to soften water, may "wear out" faster than you change water which could lead to parameter/ph swings. Not good for any fish, def bad for discus
 
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