How to decrease water hardness???

[StripySnailGirl04]

Hello!
As you might already know, I have EXTREMELY hard water. My water parameters are the following:
GH: approx. 21 d
Carbonate hardness (KH) : between 15 and 20 d
pH: 8.4
I have soft water cardinals to add to the stress. Any safe and hopefully cheap ways to decrease water hardness?

 

[Byron]

I will answer your question on reducing hardness, but don't take this as suggesting you should do this. I'm not saying yea or nay, just explaining the process.

The only safe and effective way to reduce the natural GH/KH/pH in water is to dilute the water with "pure" water. Pure water includes RO (reverse osmosis) and distilled water. Rainwater (if otherwise safe) can also be used. The dilution is proportional, for example with your GH 21 water: mixing half tap water at 21 dH with half pure water will reduce the GH by half, to 10 or 11 dH approximately. You can for some fish use straight RO water. The GH/KH lower and the pH will be free to fluctuate depending upon other factors, but usually the pH becomes more acidic if there is little or no mineral carbonates to buffer it.

 

[connorlindeman]

I've heard that there are certain leaves that can be added to the water to lower the hardness. Not sure what types though.

 

[PlasticGalaxy]

I made a thread on this recently if you want to check it out. Got a lot of good answers.

 

[StripySnailGirl04]

I made a thread on this recently if you want to check it out. Got a lot of good answers.

Ok

 

[StripySnailGirl04]

I've heard that driftwood reduces pH? How would this work? Does the following wood also reduce pH?

Redmoor Wood Small 15-25cm

A small piece of Redmoor wood (also known as spiderwood) approximitley 8-12 inches in length, size may vary slightly from this. Each piece is chosen

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Bogwood Small (12-15cm)

This wood will give your aquarium that natural feel and maturity. We would advise using multiple pieces to create a stunning look. It will need

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Gnarled Manzanita Wood Small 25-35cm

Gnarled Manzanita Wood is a very attractive wood. Typical characteristics are A long twisted, gnarled/knobbly branch that adds beauty and character

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Redmoor Branches

Natural redmoor wood / spiderwood branches. Pieces vary in size. 5-20cm in length. These are ideal for adding extra details to your Aquascape, or

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Aquarium Plants and Planted Aquarium Supplies UK. Buy live aquatic plants online, algae free & shrimp safe guaranteed, high European quality, suitable for tropical and cold-water fish tanks.

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Structure Wood Small 15-20cm

Structure wood is great for beginners as building an attractive layout with these pieces of wood is very easy. Most pieces have one flat cut off end

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[Byron]

Organic items like wood will not affect GH or KH (or pH) when the initial GH/KH is high, as here. The pH will not lower either, because the strong buffering of the GH/KH prevents this.

 

[GaryE]

You are asking a question so many of us have asked over the years, and there is only one answer : a reverse osmosis filter with all its inconveniences. Rainwater is great, but you need regular water changes and when it doesn't rain...

There are botanicals that will reduce hardness, but not in any way that's practical.

The usual thing is to shrug, and start keeping the many beautiful hardwater evolved species that are out there. Cardinals may be a bad choice, but lots of other fish are cool options.

 

[StripySnailGirl04]

I will answer your question on reducing hardness, but don't take this as suggesting you should do this. I'm not saying yea or nay, just explaining the process.

The only safe and effective way to reduce the natural GH/KH/pH in water is to dilute the water with "pure" water. Pure water includes RO (reverse osmosis) and distilled water. Rainwater (if otherwise safe) can also be used. The dilution is proportional, for example with your GH 21 water: mixing half tap water at 21 dH with half pure water will reduce the GH by half, to 10 or 11 dH approximately. You can for some fish use straight RO water. The GH/KH lower and the pH will be free to fluctuate depending upon other factors, but usually the pH becomes more acidic if there is little or no mineral carbonates to buffer it.

I've heard that there are certain leaves that can be added to the water to lower the hardness. Not sure what types though.

I made a thread on this recently if you want to check it out. Got a lot of good answers.

Organic items like wood will not affect GH or KH (or pH) when the initial GH/KH is high, as here. The pH will not lower either, because the strong buffering of the GH/KH prevents this.

You are asking a question so many of us have asked over the years, and there is only one answer : a reverse osmosis filter with all its inconveniences. Rainwater is great, but you need regular water changes and when it doesn't rain...

There are botanicals that will reduce hardness, but not in any way that's practical.

The usual thing is to shrug, and start keeping the many beautiful hardwater evolved species that are out there. Cardinals may be a bad choice, but lots of other fish are cool options.

Thank you everyone!

 

[StevenF]

I've heard that there are certain leaves that can be added to the water to lower the hardness. Not sure what types though.

If you want to reduce GH you need to reduce calcium and magnesium levels in the water. Leaves wood or other organic materials, will release weak organic acids as they decay. These acids will react with calcium carbonate and magnum carbonate to form calcium and magnesium organic salts. This reduces KH but it has absolutely no effect on Calcium and magnesium levels in the water. So GH stays the same.

Now if you add enough organic acids to the water you can drive the KH to zero and only then sill PH start to drop. But again calcium and magnesium levels remain unchanged.