how do i make soft water hard?

[danthemanxx1]

well ever since i have had my tank with fish and all my test kit says my water is very soft. what can i do to make it hard. and is it bad to have soft water compared to hard

[Honey Badger 1]

Many of the fish available actually prefer soft water. Some of the species in your signature like hard water but adapt well and probably have already adapted to your water. Unless you are keeping african cichlids I wouldn't mess with the water.

[TenyKaz]

I am currently looking at starting an African Cichlid tank (I am at the very begining of research atm). Can hardness/softness testers be purchased? Where/how much will I be looking at? I have heard that our water supply is already pretty good in this respect however I want to see it on a metre of some type for myself. If my water does need hardening, how do I go about this?

Thanks

[puffmaster221]

I'm pretty sure that hardness test kits can be bought. Your fish will probably be happy in the water theyre in. for the african cichlids youre best bet is ground coral. good luck with your african cichlid tank

[Honey Badger 1]

API makes decent KH and GH testers, http://www.apifishcare.com/products/...x?productid=74.
There are substrates for africans that can be used to raise hardness if your tank needs it, cichlid salt and crushed coral can also be used. The problem with this is making sure the water out of your tap is the same as the water that is in the tank, fluctuating water conditions can stress a fish much worse than not being in ideal water can. Your tap water is probably fine. If you are buying fish from a local fish store they are already in, and adapted to, the same tap water you will be using for your tank.

[Fishkeeper]

I agree with mommy1. If you buy the fish at a local store, they're probably fine. Or, if you really want it to be hard, just put it in the freezer. Ice is the hardest water you can get

[TenyKaz]

Thanks Mommy1, we don't have a LFS!!! I have been living in Whakatane New Zealand for 2 years now and I have just met a guy who breeds African Cichlids so very excited to have a fish supply and get started again (sold all 5 tanks and equiptment for my comminity aquariums before I moved :( miss my fish very much). I will need to be very organised as it is over a two hour return trip to the nearest LFS for any supplies. I'm not decided on specifically what species I will be getting yet but are there any aflictions African's are particularly susceptible to? I will need to have any medication on hand as I can't "just nip down the road". Thanks

[Honey Badger 1]

I would talk with the breeder and ask him specifically what he has on hand and what he does to make his tanks suitable for his fish. You will want to replicate what he does in his tanks. Bring him a sample of your tap water so he can see what, if anything, needs to be done.

[TenyKaz]

Thanks, everyone for your help :)

[CrazedMichael]

well ever since i have had my tank with fish and all my test kit says my water is very soft. what can i do to make it hard.

Freeze it...