My tank water had tested as being somewhere in between hard and very hard. I also have a pH problem that is almost resolved, so i believe that is the culprit behind my problem with keeping healthy fish. but is hardwater a problem that is potentially threatining to a fish's health?

What is the reading of your hard water. If very high you can go with cichlids as they like high ph.

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Many fish like hard water including Rift Valley Cichlids, Livebearers, Many Rainbows ald Brackish Water Fishes. Tetras, Discus, West African Cichlids, Tetras and Rasboras don't like it. The easiest way to reduce your hardness is to dilute your water with Distilled water. You may need to replace as much as 75% with Distilled Water if your hardness is extreme. In Natural Water Systems hardness and high ph usually go together but reducing ph chemically does nothing to reduce hardness.

Good morning Rip...

Unless you have a problem with your city water, which is very unlikely, you can ignore pH and water hardness. They really aren't very important for keeping a successful aquarium. Tropical fish and plants will adapt and can tolerate a pH of 8.5 with no problems.

The worst thing you can do is try to change things. This is an exercise in frustration, because you can't maintain artifical water conditions. It's far easier for you and safer for your fish and plants for them to adapt to tap water, they've been doing that for a long, long time.

Your only job is to be a good "water keeper", and that just requires frequent and large water changes.

B

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Thank you all very much. I dont believe my hardwater is my problem.

I do know, however, that fish will not tolerate my pH, and I am currently chemically lowering it, and will then take measures for it to naturally remain at a proper level. Thank you again.

-Rip

To help with my tap water concerns, I use a 5 gallon bucket with a 175gph powerhead in it to pre-mix the water a day before the water change. I add some Cichlid mineral salt, if needed, and also API Proper pH 6.5 to help balance the tank. When first starting out, the pH was sitting at 8 and wouldn't move. After starting the 5 gallon bucket trick the tank now rests at a very nice 6.6. I do the 5 gallon water change twice a week and it's been great. If I had a bigger bucket I would do it just once and call it a day. The tank houses a Ghost Knife and 2 Figure 8 Puffers. But the main idea is to get 5 Apistogramma (Dwarf Cichlids) in there to finish it off.