Hi folks..

Finally, I'm starting to set up one of my new tanks. The first one is the 15 gal.

I put in my substrate, and filled it with city water. Then I used the API 5 in 1 test strips and the water is ok in all respects except for hardness. The test strip shows it at the top of the scale, at at least 180 mg/l. Who know how much harder it may be, but that's the highest of the test strip scale.

The brochure with the API test kits suggest that I use/replace the water with distilled or deionized water.

I can do that, but I'm not enthusiastic about lugging bottles of distilled water.

They also suggest the API tap water filter which I see online for just under $50 and replacement media for around $20. Online reviews of this device indicate that the replacements don't last very long.

And they also suggest the API Water Softener Pillow in the filter. I see it selling at Amazon for $7.

I live in an apartment (rented) so I'm reluctant to install a full RO water system, but we do not drink the tap water, preferring to buy the big jugs of distilled and spring water. But having just moved to this apartment, I can see, by the number of steps, that lugging those jugs is soon going to get unacceptable. So, and installed system might solve both problems... drinking water for us and RO water for the tanks.

I'd appreciate your input... opinions on the water softener pillow, and any other suggestions you may have.

Thanks

Take the test strips back for a refund, the only thing they are good for is taking up room in your trash can.

Most likely the water is hard, but you shouldn't mess with this. High quality water and stability are much more important. Discus will breed in 7.6, so hardness is not an issue.

__________________
Biologist-Professional Aquarium Care-Published Author (Aquarium Fish International Magazine)

Stocking has NOTHING to do with tank volume, it is all about water changes.

Perhaps I should have posted in the Newbies forum, because I'm not sure I understand!

Do you mean that the hardness of the water makes no difference? I plan to raise a fresh water, community tank, with guppies, neons, etc.

So, despite the high hardness, which I think you say is not important, I can proceed with the next steps... plants and then fish?

Thanks

Correct. The hardness is not critical at all. If it was you are planning on both hard and soft water fish (neons are soft and guppies are hard). That said I have hard water and prefer to stick to hard water fish because they tend to do a little better overall, but the difference is subtle. The other huge issue is that it is VERY hard to safely bring hardness down. Bringing it up is no problem, just put some crushed coral in the filter like it is carbon and that will bring it up so that it is safe and stable. The problem with bringing it down is that you have to remove the hardness from the water. The chemicals will bring it down and within days it is back up. This roller coaster pH is much worse than just leaving it alone.

I do think you should take the strips back and buy liquid test kits. If the tank is cycled you just need nitrate. If it is not cycled you will also need ammonia and nitrite.

__________________
Biologist-Professional Aquarium Care-Published Author (Aquarium Fish International Magazine)

Stocking has NOTHING to do with tank volume, it is all about water changes.