How do i to soften water?

Question

Hi,
I was wondering how i should go about softing my water for my fishtank. The only way that i have read how to do it is to build a distiller. does anyone have any cleaver/cheep way of doing this.

Answer 1

Since hardness is a measurement of the dissolved material in water, adding salt will increase the hardness, not decrease it, and this, only if it's sea salt. Table salt/aquarium salt has little effect on hardness of your water either way.

You don't want to use distilled water in your tank, either. If you want to dilute your tap/well water if it's extremely hard , it would be better to use reverse osmosis water (and this only costs about $0.33 per gallon at Super WalMart's self-serve dispenser). You can also use rainwater, but this can include dissolved pollutants, so I don't really like this, and would only use this on a limited basis.

By far, the best way to soften your water is to use something that will bind to the ions and neutralize them - driftwood in the tank, or a mesh bag of peat (from a garden center - make sure it doesn't contain added fertilizers!) in your filter. Either of these methods will turn your water a slight brown, so if this is something you don't want, diluting your regular water with reverse osmosis would be the way for you to go.

Answer 2

Using distilled or reverse osmosis water accomplishes exactly the same thing and you can go with either. The most important part is that you mix it with tap water, as those waters have been filtered of all the good elements that fish need for long term survival, not to mention alone they are very unstable.

Things like driftwood and peatmoss and others may help if your water is not too hard, but the harder your water is, the less affect it will have. The amount you need in really hard water is generally not worth the trouble. They also cause yellowed water, harmless but not very pretty to most people.

Never use store bought additives to adjust it - they don't work well and lead to unstable water, which is worse then having water too hard.

How hard is your water? The best advice for most people in the end is to just leave the water alone, as messing with it can make the hobby a chore, and lead to instabilities we dont' want. Unless it is really, excessively hard, most common fish will adapt without a problem.

Answer 3

A product called start right will take the hard metals and the chlorine and chloramine out of your tap water. Aquarium salt is good to also along with start right. The Salt softens and also has the ability to help ward off diseases. It is also used to help cure diseases. A little salt is good for all tanks..

Answer 4

Simple answer to your question.....use reverse osmosis water. Many breeders including myself need this to breed fishes. You can buy a RO unit "filter" or you can get it at your local water store. Be sure to ask for RO water.

I hope this helps.

Answer 5

Aquarium salt. Go to the pet store. Follow the instructions.

Answer 6

a really top quality will do this, aquaplus is a great one