I have hard water in my area. There is a mechanical softener hooked up to the plumbing. Tests show that it does soften the water. I have read that it is only replaced with sodium ions. Does that mean that I am giving my fish salty water? Should I not use the softened water? My KH is higher than my GH in my South American tank. I thought this was not possible so I looked into the water softener thing. They say that to the fish it makes no difference(magnesium and calcium - sodium). http://faq.thekrib.com/begin-chem.html#altering
I am getting the feeling that I should not use it. No fish have died from this yet but my Ph is at 7.5 to 8.0 and my GH reads about 4 and my KH reads about 5. Doesn't seem right does it? I have some Pristella tetras in there. I believe they prefer hard water. But my Uaru and catfish might not. I have a banjo cat, a bristlenose and L001. I am tempted to let it get hard but want to lower the pH. What shall I do?
I am getting the feeling that I should not use it. No fish have died from this yet but my Ph is at 7.5 to 8.0 and my GH reads about 4 and my KH reads about 5. Doesn't seem right does it? I have some Pristella tetras in there. I believe they prefer hard water. But my Uaru and catfish might not. I have a banjo cat, a bristlenose and L001. I am tempted to let it get hard but want to lower the pH. What shall I do?