I use a python for my weekly water changes so I use water straight from the tap to refill. To avoid using any water that has gone through my water softener I use only cold water. If I am not careful on my refill I can shock the fish. My question is am I being over cautious not mixing with the hot water that has been through my water softener. Does anyone out there use softened water in their water changes and if so does it affect your tank parameters in any way. Thanks for any help.
soft water and water changes
- Thread starter rslinn
- Start date
No, I don't think you're being overly cautious. I have hard water in my area and so far haven't had any soft/hardness issues. Soft water could possibly change your parameters if your tank water is not normally soft, so being careful is a good thing.
patoloco
De seguro no sabes lo que dice aqu
using sofweter water will reduce your water hardness, thus resulting in probably lower pH in the long run.
My water is normally quite hard so using soft (hot) to raise my water temp when filling would probablly effect my tank hardness and if this can not be controlled I think it would be hard on the fish. I will continue to do things as always have. I will continue to do a slow fill so temp will change gradually. I guess if it's not broke don't fix it and patience is a virtue. Thanks for your input.
patoloco
De seguro no sabes lo que dice aqu
Water softeners simply exchange sodium ions for calcium and magnesium ions. You actually increase the amount of total dissolved solids in this water. The carbonates, phosphates, bicarbonates... that dictate pH are uneffectived so no pH swings. You are basicly giving the fish the equivelent of a high sodium diet (if you put it in human terms) by using softened water.
I have soft water on both hot and cold. Had no problems, except that my water source (Pinellas County, FL) is rather high...7.6-7.8. Reverse UGF and Penquin biowheel filter.
38 Gallon corner bow front, with a variety of fish:
2 large angels
2 Small Rams
2 Red Platys
2 Clown loach
2 Tetra
2 Panda Cats
1 snail
Change 25% of water once a month.
38 Gallon corner bow front, with a variety of fish:
2 large angels
2 Small Rams
2 Red Platys
2 Clown loach
2 Tetra
2 Panda Cats
1 snail
Change 25% of water once a month.
Last edited:
Bingo, Water softeners actually increase hardness in the manner that fish care about. Additionally they remove Calcium and magnesium which are essential to many things in our tanks.
Dave