how can i drop hardness of the tank water?

Question

im testing my water with QUICK DIP 6 IN ONE today it came like this Nitrate 20 Nitrite 0 Hardness 300 !!!! Alkalinity 120 ph 7.5 but look at this hardness WOW how can i take it to be soft again? and now i know why i got white mineral deposits on top of my water. help. I did add some auqarium salt today but i dont think that salt would do that

Answer 1

You are right, salt will not increase hardness at all. 300 is a bit high for total hardness, but with alkalinity at 120 it's nothing to be worried about really. Unless you are keeping really sensitive fish, your fish will be fine and in fact are probably used to it being at that level. I wouldn't recommend trying to adjust it unless you do have quite sensitive fish.

If you really want / need to adjust it downwards, the only real solution is to cut your tap water with distilled or R/O water. Be aware though that will also change the pH and the waters ability to maintain pH so it will lower the total hardness, alkalinity and pH and cause a host of other issues to deal with every time you change water.

MM

Answer 2

OK you are right the salt will do nothing for the hardness. The nitrate level bothers me , you either need to change your filter or lower the number of fish you have. Pet shops sell softners but be very slow in changing the PH and hardness. Do your fish look OK ? ,if so I would be very careful changing anything.
I've been keeping fish for 40 years and have a degree in Water science. Good Luck