Importance of controling water hardness?

[TypeYourTextHere]

I never really paid much attention to water hardness in my previous fish tanks. How important is is to control this? Also, how is it controlled? Is it even an issue?

[Cermet]

Some species require hard or soft water to breed but most fish can live in either very well (but don't ever expect breeding outside their desirable range.) RO systems will soften water but the harder the water, the faster the filter fails. Adding to minerals to hraden water is rather easy but will add up. If you have a need, do it but otherwise, it is not important at all.:hmm3grin2orange:

[Rue]

Ditto what Cermet said!

[TypeYourTextHere]

I figured that was the case, but did not know for sure. Thanks for the responses.

[scottcjag]

Just saw that you are from Olathe! I just moved to Olathe 3 weeks ago. I noticed that your thread is about water hardness, and I am quickly learning that the water here is hard. What do you do to combat this? What works for you should work for me too since our water probably comes from the same source!

[scottcjag]

Should have read the previous posts about how water hardness is not that big of a deal. lol. Just excited to see somebody else on here whose so close to me!

[TypeYourTextHere]

Well hello neighbor! Yeah, the water here is really bad. Last summer the water was so hard i got calcium deposits on the dishes from the dishwasher. The water from the tap is about 8.6 PH so I have gone through a lot of PH down chemicals (even though others have discouraged it since I'm still cycling). Anyhow, it's good to know there is someone who is dealing with the same issues I am dealing with.

[Cermet]

Well hello neighbor! Yeah, the water here is really bad. Last summer the water was so hard i got calcium deposits on the dishes from the dishwasher. The water from the tap is about 8.6 PH so I have gone through a lot of PH down chemicals (even though others have discouraged it since I'm still cycling). Anyhow, it's good to know there is someone who is dealing with the same issues I am dealing with.

Just an aside but people keep discus in water that hard without a problem and they are a "soft water" fish. Of course the fish do not breed and very young fry would die. Don't waste your money on lowering the pH either. Most fish can handle it. That ph is too high for discus but most other common (and very nice) fish should be fine.

If a fishless cycling, the bacteria don't care so I'd save the money for fish!!! Good luck.:hmm3grin2orange:

[TypeYourTextHere]

Yeah, but i have fishies in there so, I dunno :)

[Cermet]

Yeah, but i have fishies in there so, I dunno :)

Remember one important point (really two but this sounds better) - it is your aquarium and your call.

All advice can go ill, posters answering can make mistakes and your judgement is how you can best operate.

People here (and this goes double for me) can give information that may help many but not work for you and even, at times, turns out isn't correct or useful. We operate on information in but are not on site so we guess using past experience that helps us but is usless for someone who is in a completely different situation.

Use your judgement and ignore posters that do not seem useful (uh, hay, does that include Me? ... wait, I'm the one writing this post ... no, I mean ... wait, is this golum talking? ... .)

Point is, they are your fish and do what you think is best and most times, things will work out fine!:hmm3grin2orange:

[Goes to 11!]

One other thing to note wrt hardness, ph etc when purchasing fish ... Is this:

DO take into consideration the water the fish are coming from.

IE: My fave LFS has the same water supply I do [gh of 28, ph 7.6 or so]

Anything he can keep - I can keep w/o too much fuss of any sort & acclimation is cake.

When I get fish from elsewhere the acclimation process is far more lengthy as the fish have more adjustments to make.

You may want to ask your LFS what their parameters are & if they soften it or dose anything. If they are very local to you it may be the same water.

Once you get them home, Stability is far more important than where the number is on the chart [Provided it is ON the chart lol]