Moving betta from Soft to Hard Water?

[Shiverz]

So me and my partner have been offered an opportunity of a life-time, one that we simply can't refuse. The only problem lies in my little Betta, Shoto. Currently where we live our water is very soft at 1.26dGH, however, we're moving to the south-east of England where the hardness is 20.5dGH.

I know that hard water can kill fish suited for soft water. If I remember correctly, the minerals build up in their system and eventually cause death. I've seen Limescale removers that remove scale from the tap water but, honestly, we're about to move and the extra £1,000~ for a decent quality one just isn't feasible for us at this moment.

I have seen Softener pillows and other forms of water treatment that will soften the water quality of your tank water. Though truth be told, I prefer to add as little chemicals to my tank as possible, at present only tap-safe is used to remove chlorine etc for my current tank, and I wont add anything else unless it is absolutely necessary.

Are any of these products worthwhile? If so, Will they bring down the water hardness from Very hard to soft-Very soft?

I've read I can used bottled water, but this seems insane (mainly the cost to fill the tank), is this possibly something I should look into?

I also read that water quality "doesn't matter" to captive bred fish, but I am highly dubious about this (if not against it), especially as Shoto is used to the water quality here, am I wrong in my line of thinking?

For the first month or two, our funds will be severely low (All our savings got eaten up by lock-down) so I'm looking for an extremely effective method, at very little price. I know it's a big ask, but I'm a fish-keeper and only the best will do for my little buddy.

Is there a way to amend this? I get it's only a single Betta, but to me Shoto is my little buddy and I've never seen him as "just a fish" he's more like a member of the family (sad but true). I really don't want to give him away, I want him to come with us.

After Though
How would you even move a fish over 250 miles?

 

[Naughts]

Map Locations

www.purewateruk.co.uk

 

[Shiverz]

Map Locations

www.purewateruk.co.uk

I've seen chemicals, that I wont use unless absolutely necessary, and water for sale at 5p a litre with all it's mineral content removed (which actually isn't a bad price) the only problem lies in transporting the water, I'll be moving to Brightlingsea which is just a ways south of Colchester.

Though if I'm being truthfully honest, I have no idea what I'm looking for, most of the pins seem to be cleaning suppliers?

 

[Naughts]

It's just a way to get pure water in bulk and cheaper, doesn't matter if it's for cleaning Windows or for fish. If you wanted to add minerals back, just mix in a bit of tap water - maybe 10%.
The other way is buying RO from the LFS but I think this will be a fair bit more expensive.
I really don't recommend hard water for a betta.

 

[Essjay]

I wouldn't use those water softener pillows as they add sodium to the water.

A source of pure water is the way to go as Naughts said.

 

[NannaLou]

I use a 50/50 mix of tap water and RO water that I get from the lfs. It costs very little and a 10 litre can lasts me two weeks, I keep it in the dark in the cupboard under the stairs.
EDIT: remember to say ‘no’ if they ask if you want it remineralised!

 

[Shiverz]

So it's quite a common practice to buy water? I'm sorry if all this seems so obvious, I'm just used to having very soft water living in the pennines practically all my life.

I'm thinking as it's only for a 65 litre tank, maybe I could get a container for about 200 litres, store it in the garage (obviously with some form of aeration/current) and just buy in bulk every now and then. It saves a 50 mile trip every month or so. (Sorry just ranting off what I'm thinking).

Thank you for all the help, it's made me worry far less about little Shoto, I honestly thought there was a chance I would have to rehome him.

Now I'll youtube/google-fu how to move a fish on long journeys.

 

[Essjay]

Doesn't Maidenhead Aquatics sell RO? It will be more expensive that in the link Naughts gave you, but if you will have one fairly close it will offset the travelling costs.

 

[NannaLou]

I think if you’re going to move to the South/South East and want soft water fish then you need a plan. My tank is 25 litres, I change 10 litres each week, so one can (I can’t remember how much it is) lasts 2 weeks. I’m going for liver bearers (hard water) for my second tank …

 

[NannaLou]

Doesn't Maidenhead Aquatics sell RO? It will be more expensive that in the link Naughts gave you, but if you will have one fairly close it will offset the travelling costs.

That’s where I get mine, I want to say it’s about £3 for a large canister…but I’ll find out on Saturday when I refill.

 

[Shiverz]

Doesn't Maidenhead Aquatics sell RO? It will be more expensive that in the link Naughts gave you, but if you will have one fairly close it will offset the travelling costs.

I just looked at the nearest maidenhead aquatic store, the closest one is in the exact location as the 5p per litre water. No doubt I'll try both and see which is best for little Shoto. I'll probably ask how it's processed too just to see if there are any harsh differences.

I think if you’re going to move to the South/South East and want soft water fish then you need a plan. My tank is 25 litres, I change 10 litres each week, so one can (I can’t remember how much it is) lasts 2 weeks. I’m going for liver bearers (hard water) for my second tank …

I was actually looking at a second tank for when I move, looking at all the hard water fish I could have, though I'm afraid of keeping live bearers. I know I wont want to get rid of them and end up living in a house made out of aquariums to house them all lol.

You'll have to keep us updated about your second tank though, it'll be nice to see.

That’s where I get mine, I want to say it’s about £3 for a large canister…but I’ll find out on Saturday when I refill.

Oh yeah, if you could update us on the price that would be awesome.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I would get an RO/DI system. You can get a pretty decent one for around $60 on Amazon. (Not sure if it’s available in the UK)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00204CQF6/?tag=ff0d01-20

 

[Naughts]

Now I'll youtube/google-fu how to move a fish on long journeys.

Where possible, take down the tank as late as possible when you leave and set up the tank again as soon as you arrive.

Put the fish in a bag or a bucket with a lid. You can add a battery operated air pump to the bucket with the fish if you want. Don't feed the fish the day before the move.

Take any left over cleanish tank water in another bag/bucket to refill the tank once you have moved. Put the substrate in another bag/container covered with tank water, and the same for the filter (or at least the filter media). Keeping the substrate and filter wet damp preserve the beneficial bacteria.

The tank needs to be empty and kept flat so as not to put any pressure on the seals.

 

[Essjay]

Given the significant change in tap water parameters I would also take along as much of your Lancastrian tap water as you can manage. That will see you through a few water changes until you can source RO or whatever source of pure water.

 

[Shiverz]

I would get an RO/DI system. You can get a pretty decent one for around $60 on Amazon. (Not sure if it’s available in the UK)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00204CQF6/?tag=ff0d01-20

I was looking at something similar earlier on in the day, though granted it was nowhere near as complex as the one you sent, it was only one phase of filtering. I've found quite a few, some look fancier than others but I'll do research on which one to get. some are as low as 40 yet others are around 600-700, so I'll need to know what I'm looking into. I guess something like this will make the water quality better for drinking too, which would be nice, I like drinking water.

Where possible, take down the tank as late as possible when you leave and set up the tank again as soon as you arrive.

Put the fish in a bag or a bucket with a lid. You can add a battery operated air pump to the bucket with the fish if you want. Don't feed the fish the day before the move.

Take any left over cleanish tank water in another bag/bucket to refill the tank once you have moved. Put the substrate in another bag/container covered with tank water, and the same for the filter (or at least the filter media). Keeping the substrate and filter wet damp preserve the beneficial bacteria.

The tank needs to be empty and kept flat so as not to put any pressure on the seals.

With the bag/bucket, do I fill it to the top? there may be some sway so I'm guessing the fuller it is the better right?

My partner has an army of tupaware tubs, looks like they'll be getting their use when we move (she's going to kill me).

Thank you for the insight!

Given the significant change in tap water parameters I would also take along as much of your Lancastrian tap water as you can manage. That will see you through a few water changes until you can source RO or whatever source of pure water.

Funnily enough I was just saying this to my partner, she's agreed to keep all her bottles and has asked her Mother too. When the time comes we'll fill all the bottles and fill the car up as much as possible with water bottles haha.