How to uncalcify water

[TGOATW]

how do i lower the amount of calcium in my tap water? its been building up alot on the sides of my hanging filter and the glass

 

[Essjay]

Calcium is the main mineral measured as hardness or GH. The only way to lower the amount in tap water is to mix it with pure water such as reverse osmosis (RO) water or distilled or deionised water, which have zero mineral content.

Do you know the hardness of your tap water?
Do you do regular weekly water changes or do you top up when the water level drops? If you top up regularly this will increase the amount of minerals even with soft water as water evaporates but the minerals stay in the tank.

 

[TGOATW]

Calcium is the main mineral measured as hardness or GH. The only way to lower the amount in tap water is to mix it with pure water such as reverse osmosis (RO) water or distilled or deionised water, which have zero mineral content.

Do you know the hardness of your tap water?
Do you do regular weekly water changes or do you top up when the water level drops? If you top up regularly this will increase the amount of minerals even with soft water as water evaporates but the minerals stay in the tank.

i do water changes once a week and change about 25-30% of the water. but between changes i'll also add water if i see the water level drop

 

[Essjay]

The water in the tank evaporates so the water level drops. But the minerals in the tank do not evaporate. If more tap water is added to bring the level up, that adds more minerals to the tank. Then more water evaporates leaving the minerals that were in the tank plus the minerals added when the water was topped up. Over time, the amount of minerals in the water goes up and up.

Ideally pure water with no minerals should be used to top up the water between water changes. That way the calcium etc does not increase. RO, distilled or deionised water should be used for topping up between water changes, or even rain water if there is no contamination from industry or agriculture (spraying of fertiliser or pesticide can get into the air and contaminate rain)

 

[GaryE]

Every effective way of decalcifying is expensive, and I've noticed you like to work on a tight budget.

 

[TGOATW]

Every effective way of decalcifying is expensive, and I've noticed you like to work on a tight budget.

well, not so much as like but more so have to