Hard Water Kh Of 9

[amagphoto]

Just did a water change a couple days ago, and my Kh is reading 9 now because I didn't use any distilled water this time when doing 40% water change. Have a 55 gallon planted tank.....my tap water here is very hard. Is there any way to soften the water (I'm thinking kh of 9 isn't very conducive for plant co2 exchange and growth, not to mention bad for the fish). Just isn't real practical or feasible to go out and buy 5-10 gallons of distilled water for every water change. Any advice much appreciated.

 

[Themuleous]

9KH is fine, the plants wont mind that nor should the fish. The only way to reduce water hardness of a tank is to either replace tank water with water of a lower GH (i.e. by using RO or DI water) or by adding a water softener pillow, like the API one. I've not used one of these but they are supposed to work quite well.

Sam

 

[cheesy feet]

pah, mine is like 14 in all my tanks...

 

[Dave Pauls]

my KH is 10 and my GH is 17. that is WITH peat in the filter to lower them. my tap water has a GH of 21 and a KH of 13. are there certain fish I should be avoiding? or is it ok to just go for it? I know most fish that like nice planted tanks don't like hard water. how much should I be worried about this? I asked on the tropical forum and they said I should rip out my plants and do a cichlid tank. I didn't like that idea.
DAVE