I've been wanting an aquarium for several years, and for the past few months, have been reading up, going to fish stores, deciding on tank size etc... and now am down to testing my water. I live in the country, and have well water. A lady I work with is very into aquaria, so offered to test my water with her kit. First we did my soft water. PH 7.2, hardness 1 degree. She said, ok, bring in your water before it goes in the softener.
When we checked my unsoftened water - the hardness was so hard, it was way off the chart. I called the company I have rented my softener from to see if they might do a more complete (accurate?) test for me. Yes, they would, if they know exactly what I want tested for. They suggested I call the fish store in the bigger city - even siting it by name.... I called. They asked what part of which county I lived in -- and told me that the water was so hard where I am that my only choice are buying water to use, or getting a reverse osmosis filter. He said he has some people who live very close to me in his club. They use 75% RO water, 25% softened well water. He also said, I could use all RO water, and use special products to adjust it for the fish...OR - he said I can set up for fish that like hard water - but it's pretty hard, and it might be a challenge. He said get it tested and bring in the numbers - but he felt sure the best thing was buy RO water or get one installed.
Now, we buy water to make ice cubes, and to use in the coffee maker. I filter the softened water through a Brita for drinking. The reason we use store bought water for ice is that our water, when frozen, has a layer of minerals/lime(?) on top that is like a layer of snow. Very annoying in your glass! I have checked into the RO filters some in the past. It would not be a really bad thing to have to get one, except it will add to the over all cost of getting started in this hobby - ARGH! -- and, since I am a single woman without a lot of plumbing skill, I will also have to hire a plumber to install it... adding even more cost.
If any of you have these systems, would you recommend that I go to
a) the plumber I trust to buy one (no idea if he even knows about them)
b) a local home store or Sears
c) the fish store in the larger city
d) online aquaria type store
e) see if my water softener company has them
f) some other option I don't know about
Thanks for any info....
When we checked my unsoftened water - the hardness was so hard, it was way off the chart. I called the company I have rented my softener from to see if they might do a more complete (accurate?) test for me. Yes, they would, if they know exactly what I want tested for. They suggested I call the fish store in the bigger city - even siting it by name.... I called. They asked what part of which county I lived in -- and told me that the water was so hard where I am that my only choice are buying water to use, or getting a reverse osmosis filter. He said he has some people who live very close to me in his club. They use 75% RO water, 25% softened well water. He also said, I could use all RO water, and use special products to adjust it for the fish...OR - he said I can set up for fish that like hard water - but it's pretty hard, and it might be a challenge. He said get it tested and bring in the numbers - but he felt sure the best thing was buy RO water or get one installed.
Now, we buy water to make ice cubes, and to use in the coffee maker. I filter the softened water through a Brita for drinking. The reason we use store bought water for ice is that our water, when frozen, has a layer of minerals/lime(?) on top that is like a layer of snow. Very annoying in your glass! I have checked into the RO filters some in the past. It would not be a really bad thing to have to get one, except it will add to the over all cost of getting started in this hobby - ARGH! -- and, since I am a single woman without a lot of plumbing skill, I will also have to hire a plumber to install it... adding even more cost.
If any of you have these systems, would you recommend that I go to
a) the plumber I trust to buy one (no idea if he even knows about them)
b) a local home store or Sears
c) the fish store in the larger city
d) online aquaria type store
e) see if my water softener company has them
f) some other option I don't know about
Thanks for any info....
But seriously, if you know anybody around that knows a little about lpumbing (your dad, a coworker, a friend), you should be able to install it (besides, just turn off your water supply and you can't go wrong!)