Really hard water?

[Codefox]

So I just tested my GH and (I'm not surprised) I found my GH to be at 12.5

That seems excessively high. I don't know how to go about softening it either or if I should.

 

[Wizzard~Of~Ozz]

for GH, that's not too horrible, what is your KH?

 

[Apocalypse_Gold]

Try 24. Thats what my tap water is. 12.5 isn't too high for most fish. Only fish that require very soft water (discus) would have trouble with that.

 

[travis simonson]

There are a few plant species that may have issues with a 12+ GH (possibly some of the more sensitive Rotala spp. and Tonina spp. for example), but most plants will do just fine in such conditions. I intentionally keep my KH at 12-14 and my GH somewhere around 16-18 for my African cichlids and I've had great luck with most plants at these levels.