softening water?

[~Erik3.8.07~]

ok so fairly soon i plan on finishing stocking my 46g tank and plan to finish it off with a pair of german blue rams, only problem is i think my water is too hard, what would be the best and safest way to soften the water?

i know peat will do this however i have no idea what it is exactly and how to use it. any tips and advice is greatly appreciated :)

[Incredulous_Ed]

Peat is that organic dirt looking material you see at garden stores.

This would be good for german blue rams: [Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[CAF]

What are your current GH, kH, and pH?

You can get a marc weiss co product called Ketapeat pellets you can put in a bag to drop pH. The problem is, you don't REALLY need to lower the pH and everything else unless you are trying to breed them.

[~Erik3.8.07~]

is there any way that wont make the water tea colored? i dont think my mom would like it since the tank is in her living room. :P

[CAF]

is there any way that wont make the water tea colored? i dont think my mom would like it since the tank is in her living room. :P

I haven't noticed the Ketapeat discoloring the water.

[~Erik3.8.07~]

nevermind i just saw the sidenote saying that you just leave the carbon in to keep the water crystal clear, but will this stress out my fish already in there?