I have freshwater and it is very very soft water... my guppys perfer hard water. I can't seem to find the answer for this, PLEASE help me.
2006-11-09 05:33:55 · 11 answers · asked by sogullablegurly 3 in Pets ➔ Fish
I use Ozarka Spring water, the people at petco said to, that's what they use, the water comes natually soft.... but my tap is dangerous to my fish.
2006-11-09 06:06:57 · update #1
Didn't you ask this question before?
Why can't you use your tap water? It generally is not a good idea to use bottled water, simply because it is far too soft. Also, because it is so soft, the pH tends to fluctuate, which can cause problems with your fish. I'm not sure of the brand you're using, but some brands of bottled water still contain chlorine/chloramines, and should still be treated with a conditioner.
Guppies generally will adjust to the hardness of the water. If anything, adding chemicals (calcium) to the water could lead to problems, as the water could get too hard too quickly. Why not add a bit of crushed coral to the water instead? Or go rock hunting - find some good limestone-rich rocks to decorate the tank (make sure to cure them first). Using coral or limestone-rich rocks will slowly adjust your water.
At any rate, make sure you check the pH often, as sudden changes in hardness can cause changes in pH.
2006-11-09 06:45:56 · answer #1 · answered by birdistasty 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If your water is too soft because you have a water softener, you can bypass the softener long enough to run the soft water out of your plumbing lines and collect water for your fish tank. Most softeners have a valve or a plunger near where the water line connects that should be marked "bypass". Turn it to the bypass position, and run the water in your faucet for several minutes until the water that has been softened is purged and you are getting untreated water. I don't have fish, but I assume you are using water from the cold side only and not the hot side. The hot water would continue to be soft until the treated water in the hot water tank was used up.
Be sure to turn the softener bypass back off after you get the water you need for your tank. If you leave it untreated and it is naturally very hard, you will end up ruining appliances like your dishwasher, clothes washer, and hot water heater.
If you don't have a softener installed in your house, I imagine fish stores would sell some sort of additive for soft water.
2006-11-09 05:50:48 · answer #2 · answered by boonietech 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Add calcium pills ...the kind you take yourself. OR, put a small chunk of relatively new concrete in the tank... (old concrete will not do the trick), Keep an eye on the pH of the water, calcium will have a tendency to raise the pH a little, and concrete will raise it to about pH 8 (no problem for guppies). Or, buy a parakeet block (white, usually used to attach to a cage..source of calcium for birds) OR boil beef bones in a mild vinegar solution, neutralize with baking soda, and add the water to the tank...will not hurt the fish, but will supply calcium to the water. Many ways, easy...usually we have the opposite problem with water. IF you are using a water softener, draw the water from an outside tap that is used to water the lawn..these are usually NOT hooked up to the water softener system. Good luck.
2006-11-09 05:41:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Get a water softening system put in which will remove the deposits from the water which make it hard (and create limescale). You have to have your driking water tap (usually the cold one in the kitchen) not on the system as you shouldn't really drink too much of the softened stuff - at least that is the way it is with my mother's system.
2016-03-19 05:49:15 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Soft water becomes hard water at 32 degrees.
Just kidding.............. Try filling up the tank from an outside faucet. The outside faucet of your house should not run through any water softener or filter, because that would be bad for your grass.
2006-11-09 05:36:59 · answer #5 · answered by teran_realtor 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
here is a site with every thing you need to know about water in your aquarium!!! turning water in to soft...
I do believe you just have to boil it and leave it out to cool.. that is of course before you put it in the aquarium.. I know how some ppl think on here..lol..
2006-11-09 05:41:41 · answer #6 · answered by Jackson 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You can pay stuff at the pet store for your fish. i have to use safe tap as my water is not great either. Good luck
2006-11-09 05:57:19 · answer #7 · answered by chass_lee 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You can buy chemichals at the pet store to get the water right
2006-11-09 05:35:47 · answer #8 · answered by keith s 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
go buy some epsom salt. Mg ions will harden the water
2006-11-09 05:37:25 · answer #9 · answered by Handsome Devil 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
add calcium. you shoud be able to find it at your local pet store. If not you can find it at a pool store. If your on the west coast it may be hader to find than the east coast
2006-11-09 05:36:56 · answer #10 · answered by sedrick a 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋