Softened water may not be suitable for exotic, ornamental or tropical fish because they can be affected by the minerals in either hard or soft water You may need to dechlorinate tap water of any kind before adding it to your aquarium
Is hard water or soft water better for aquariums?
Here’s the good news: Unless you’ve invested in specific tropical species that absolutely must live in soft water, such as a wild-caught Discus, your fish will likely adapt to the hardness of the local water in its aquarium
What fish do well in soft water?
In some cases soft water fish need very low pH values to do well The classic examples are things like Pikeheads, Ram Cichlids, and Chocolate Gouramis
Can betta fish live in soft water?
Yes it can harm fish It removes all traces of calcium and magnesium from the water, which fish need The harm done to fish can take months to show So do I need to do something to my tap water to keep my fish healthy long term?Jan 17, 2017
Is Hard Water OK for fish?
Most aquarium fish will adapt to moderately hard to hard water provided they are acclimated properly Ask your local aquarium shop about the hardness and pH in their tanks and compare it to the water in your aquarium The greater the difference, the more gradually fish should be acclimated when you bring them home
What water should I use for aquarium?
Ordinary tap water is fine for filling up the aquarium as long as you let it sit for several days before adding fish (the chlorine in the tap water will kill the fish) You may also purchase dechlorination solutions at our store
Can tetras live in soft water?
Water Conditions in Aquariums Although soft water is undoubtedly favorable for neon tetras, these fish can manage in medium-hard water if it is of a high grade For reproductive purposes, neon tetras require pH levels of no more than 65, also with extremely minimal hardness
How can I make my aquarium water softer?
Soak peat moss in a clean container to soften water Discard the brown water, and put the cooled peat moss in a clean container filled with tap water Let the peat moss sit in the container for at least 2-3 days to soften the water Use the softened water when doing a routine water change in your aquarium
Will a water softener hurt my fish?
Since domestic water softeners soften water by replacing calcium and other minerals with sodium, the effects are similar to putting a goldfish in saltwater This can kill the fish depending on how much sodium is in the water
How hard should aquarium water be?
Ideally, freshwater aquariums have a GH between 4-8 dGH (or 70-140 ppm) All animals need some minerals, but certain fish like livebearers, goldfish, and African cichlids prefer higher GH levels If you’re trying to breed discus or other soft water fish, you may need to reduce the GH to 3 dGH (or 50 ppm) or below
Can you use bottled water in a fish tank?
For example, some bottled water still needs chlorine removed And because bottled water is designed for us to drink, it is often considerably more expensive than just using distilled water I only recommend using bottled water as fish tank water in an emergency, when nothing else is available
How long does it take for tap water to be safe for fish?
Always let tap water sit for 24 hours so the chlorine has a chance to evaporate Or you can treat the water with another chemical if you’re not able to wait
What is the easiest fish to take care of?
Generally speaking, all these species are good-natured, striking, and very easy to care for Good luck with finding your new pet fish! GOLDFISH Yes, the goldfish is top on the list GUPPIES Small and brightly colored, guppies are another favorite for beginner aquariums ZEBRA DANIOS BUSHYNOSE PLECOS NEON TETRAS MOLLIES
What water do neon tetras need?
Ideal water conditions for neon tetras are as follows: The water temperature should be between 70°F to 81°F The pH level should be between 70 and 60 Water hardness should be maintained at less than 10 dGH
Can neon fish live in freshwater?
Neon tetras (Paracheirodon innesi) are a small schooling fish found in tropical freshwater rivers and streams in South America They’re pretty much available year round at any live fish store Neons are fairly easy to breed in captivity, so most of the ones found in the aquarium trade have been farm raised
What fish can live with Paradise fish?
Good tankmates can be larger fish such as goldfish as well as non-aggressive medium to large gouramis, robust cyprinid species, larger characins, eartheater type Geophagus cichlids, Loricariid catfish from South America, large Synodontis catfish, and large loaches
How do I make my fish tank water less hard?
To soften hard water, you need to take the mineral out with a natural “water softener” such as Sera Super Peat Another option is to use demineralized water for your fish tank The same is true for trying to raise the pH in acidic water that is soft and doesn’t contain much mineral
How do you soften water naturally?
Add washing soda when you wash your clothes – Washing soda or sodium carbonate is soluble in water, and reacts with the hard water minerals calcium and magnesium to soften your water
How do I lower the hardness in my aquarium?
How to lower aquarium GH – decrease hardness Reverse Osmosis/Deionized water (RO/DI) If you need to lower your GH every time you perform a water change, an RO/DI system is your best bet Distilled water Distilled water is essentially water that has been turned into steam then collected Peat moss