Saltwater – Fish Keeping Academy

Learning how to soften aquarium water is an excellent tool for fish keepers to have in their arsenal. Water softening can be achieved by either chemical or natural means, both of which are pretty accessible to the home aquarist. Softening hard aquarium water can be done either by chemical means or naturally. Chemicals will usually provide quick but short-lived results, whereas natural methods result in slower but longer-term results, which are often kinder to your fish. There are hundreds of ways to soften aquarium water, so this article will only cover the most effective and commonly used methods. I will also cover the basics of water hardness and what it means in an aquarium environment. If you are a new aquarist the articles below may also be of interest to you. How to cycle a fish tank (Step by Step) How To Cycle A Fish Tank In 24 Hours (Emergency Cycling) How To Lower Alkalinity In Fish Tank Water How to Soften Aquarium Water Effectively The quickest ways to soften aquarium water are: Use commercial chemical solutions - Chemical water softeners are a quick and effective way to alter the hardness of your aquarium water. Commercial water treatments are specifically formulated not to harm your fish or plants. How quickly your water softens will depend on the solution you use and how often you dose it. Regular doses of chemical water softeners will keep your aquarium at a lower hardness fairly consistently; however, these products have no lasting effect, so frequent dosing is necessary to maintain softened water.Reverse Osmosis - is a method whereby aquarium water is passed through a semi-permeable membrane that only allows pure water through, blocking all other impurities. Reverse osmosis is typically carried out using a device that pushes the water through the membrane under pressure. In short, this method provides you with a very neutral quality of water similar to distilled water.Use distilled water - Removing some of the water in your tank and replacing it with distilled water will help to soften it. Distilled water is very pure and contains very little dissolved mineral content. Hard water generally contains an excess of dissolved minerals which usually gives it a higher (alkaline) pH, so by removing some of this water, you will be removing some of the mineral content.Use water softening pillows - Although not quite as speedy as the methods above, water softening pillows can help soften the water at a comfortable pace for your fish. A water softening pillow is usually coated in an ionized resin that binds to the water's soluble heavy metal ions and minerals and effectively removes them. Water softener pillows are most effective when placed inside your filter housing, where they can catch the minerals as the water passes through. (affiliate) link below. Find The Best Price For API Water Softener Pillow At Amazon Or Chewy The best ways to soften your aquarium water naturally are: Using Rainwater In The Aquarium - If you have naturally hard water in your taps, use rainwater in your aquarium. Although you should always treat tap water before adding it to your aquarium, it can become expensive with frequent water changes. Rainwater is naturally soft and can be collected from your guttering using a bucket. Even better, you can try collecting rainwater in a specifically designed container where it can be left to stand for a few days so that if any minerals are present, they will have time to evaporate.Use peat moss - Peat moss is high in tannins and, when let loose, will aid in the natural softening of aquarium water. Peat moss is excellent at capturing the minerals present in hard water through "chelation," a process that binds them together. The mineral content of the water will be reduced as a result of chelation, making the water softer. Peat moss can be added to your tank and mixed with the substrate. You can also pre-treat water by adding it to a bucket of peat moss and letting it sit for a few days while it softens. Softening aquarium water in this way can be a slow and gradual process that is less stressful to fish.Schedule regular water changes - Although obvious, this is often overlooked. Frequent water changes should be a regular part of your aquarium maintenance. Water changes will naturally soften your water because you will be physically removing the water with minerals and heavy metals contained within it, replacing it with purer water that has been tested and treated satisfactorily. Regular water changes will also avoid a build-up of ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite levels.Add some driftwood to the tank - Like peat moss, natural driftwood contains water softening acidic tannins. It is vital to use natural driftwood that hasn't been treated with chemicals that may harm your fish. Driftwood can be added to your aquarium as a feature while having the effect of slowly reducing the hardness of your fish tank water.Use Indian Almond Leaves - These leaves also have natural acid-inducing tannins and are often used for their medicinal benefits in fish. Simply adding a few of these leaves to your tank, will gently bring down the alkalinity and KH (Carbonate Hardness) by neutralizing the buffering effects of carbonates and bicarbonates. Aquarists widely use the methods above to soften their aquarium water which is a little too hard. Each method above is good at lowering the pH value (acidity or alkalinity) of aquarium water. Later in this article, I will explain the relationship between water hardness and pH. Find The Best Price On Indian Almond Leaves At Amazon Or Chewy What Is Water Hardness You usually refer to the "General Hardness" (GH) when talking about water hardness, although this can be confused with the term "Carbonate Hardness" (KH). General Hardness (GH) Some water supplies have a high level of calcium and magnesium ions naturally present and are known as hard waters. In contrast, those with very low levels of calcium and magnesium ions are soft waters. General hardness is a measurement of magnesium and calcium ions in water and is measured by dGH (degree of general hardness). A certain level of minerals present in your water will be beneficial to the overall health of your fish and other aquatic or plant life. Too many of these minerals can negatively affect other parameters within the water, such as its pH level, or cause an increase in ammonia, nitrates, or nitrites. I will briefly discuss some aspects of pH in this article, simply because it is related to a degree, however, if you want to gain a much better understanding of aquarium pH levels, you should read my other article: Fish Tank pH Levels (An easy guide for fishkeepers) which will cover everything you need to know. Water hardness is also measured in ppm (parts per million). The relationship between ppm and GH will be better understood by looking at the table below. GH in dGHGH in ppmWater Hardness0-40-70Very Soft4-870-140Soft8-12140-210Moderately Hard12-18210-320Hard18-30320-530Very HardGeneral Hardness Values For Soft To Hard Water What Should The GH Level Be In A Fish Tank Most freshwater aquariums should measure between 4-8 dGH or 70-140 ppm, which is comfortable for most fish species and usually reflects a healthy pH level. If your water becomes too soft, it can become prone to big swings in the level of acidity (pH). Carbonate Hardness (KH) Although they are related, carbonate hardness is an entirely separate measurement. Carbonate hardness measures the amount of carbonate and bicarbonate ions in the water, which affects its buffering capacity. Water buffers act as stabilizers, and KH is good at neutralizing acids, preventing large crashes in your pH level, which can harm aquatic life and plant life. KH is measured on a similar scale to GH. The measurement for KH is dKH (degrees of KH) and is also measured in ppm (parts per million), and similar to GH, freshwater aquariums should typically sit at around 4-8 dKH (or 70-140 ppm). Most tropical fish prefer fairly neutral to soft water with fewer minerals that they can absorb through their skin. However, you will want to avoid your water from becoming too soft as this is generally more acidic (which can cause acid burns to your fish's skin) and is generally more unstable. Hard water fish species like African Cichlids or Paradise fish will require you to raise the GH and KH, which can be accomplished by adding commercial buffers or adding acid-neutralizing minerals such as limestone or crushed coral rock. The opposite is true for soft water fish species such as dwarf cichlids, plecos, discus, and angelfish. It is a little more challenging to lower the GH due to the higher KH levels acting as a buffer against acids, but I have listed several methods above that should help. Properties Of Hard Water The more minerals and ions present in the water, the harder it is. Hard water contains more dissolved minerals than soft water, usually containing the minerals found in the vicinity of the water source. Some areas have higher limestone, magnesium, and calcium levels, which become dissolved into the water, causing it to become hard water. Hard water has many more health benefits, especially when drinking it, due to the higher mineral content. Fish and other living organisms will also benefit from the minerals contained in harder water, although there must be a balance when considering other water parameters such as pH. The pH of hard water is usually higher and more alkaline (basic). If the water becomes too alkaline, this can harm your fish, often resulting in skin irritation and breathing issues. The same is true for softer water with a low pH indicating acidity. When water becomes too acidic, it can result in acid burns to a fish's skin, lungs and eyes. Relationship Between pH, Alkalinity, And Hardness Although the water's pH and alkalinity (KH) are not directly related, they do have an effect on each other. The KH will determine the pH stability of your aquarium water, as mentioned above. A low KH level can mean that your tank's pH becomes susceptible to more significant swings due to increased acidity or decreased pH. https://youtu.be/vWGSfKKCNsM What Is pH, KH, And GH, And How Do They Relate To Each Other Water hardness affects the water's pH, acting as a buffer for acids. The minerals in hard water can neutralize acids and prevent drastic changes in your aquarium's pH level. How Does Water Become Hard Water can become hard due to the dissolved minerals present in the water. Rocks and soils are examples of common substances that can dissolve into your local water supply, becoming part of it. Climate is also a factor. Water seeping through limestone rocks will become increasingly hard because of the dissolved minerals present. As for which one has more influence, this depends on where you live. Aquarium water can become hard over time due to the presence of certain mineral-rich ornaments such as rocks rich in limestone or specific substrates rich in calcium or limestone. Over time there can be a build-up of KH, which can be avoided by regularly changing your tank's water and removing whatever is causing the problem. How To Know If Your Aquarium Water Is Soft Or Hard There are several ways to measure whether your water supply is soft or hard, and a simple test can be performed without the need for specialized equipment. Pour some tap water into a glass. Now pour a little of the aquarium's water into a glass and compare the two. It will be hard water if it is clear, whereas if it appears cloudy or milky, you most likely have soft water. Once you have established the type of tap water you have, any significant difference in the appearance of your aquarium will signal the opposite hardness. Assuming that you use tap water to fill your tank, another smile way of finding out if your aquarium water is soft or hard is to ask your local water company as they should know the GH in each area they supply. If you don't want to ask your local water company, simply look at the taps in your house. People living in hard water areas will often find limescale deposits or a chalky white substance around their taps, similar to the picture below. Limescale And Other Hard Water Deposits On A Tap You should treat tap water to obtain the correct pH and GH before adding it to your tank, so you will need to measure these levels somehow. Even after you have added the water to your tank, calcium, and magnesium levels have the potential to change, as can the number of carbonate and bicarbonate ions present. Regular testing is the only easy way to keep your water parameters in check, and this is especially important in a newer tank until you find out how stable it is. How Is Water Hardness Measured Aquarium water hardness is easily measured using chemical test strips or digital meters. The cheapest option is to use test strips, but they will need replacing, unlike digital meters. Test strips are also more convenient because they will usually have the capacity to test all of the necessary water parameters, whereas digital meters are generally only able to test one or two parameters. How To Test Water Hardness In Aquarium Water Test strip measurements are obtained by immersing into the aquarium water, waiting a specific amount of time, and then comparing the coloration changes on the test strip to a supplied color chart. Measurements are pretty accurate but are open to personal interpretation. Digital meters are also dipped into the aquarium water and will often provide an instant digital readout of the dKH or dGH. They may also return the measurement as ppm. Digital meters are pretty accurate. If you want to spend more money on a meter that can measure multiple parameters, they become very convenient and will pay for themselves over time. I use both test strips and an electronic meter, which can be found at the (affiliate) links below. Find The Best Price For Tetra Easystrips 6 in 1 Freshwater/Saltwater Aquarium Test Strips At Amazon Or Chewy Find The Best Price For HydroTester Digital pH Meter And Thermometer At Amazon Or Chewy Is Hard Water Bad For Fish Hard water is not necessarily bad for fish and can benefit certain species, such as Goldfish and African Cichlids that come from naturally hard water environments. Fish will adapt to the hardness of their environment if it does not change dramatically because they have evolved to withstand the conditions. However, sudden changes in water parameters due to a lack of precautions can be harmful or even fatal. Can Hard Water Kill Fish Hard water is not necessarily harmful to fish, however, if your fish have become used to soft water and move to considerably harder water, they can experience osmotic shock, which can kill them. The hardness of the water can have a dramatic impact on the pH level of your water, and a pH that is too high or low can have a much more significant impact on the health of your fish. Will Softening The Aquarium Water Harm My Fish As I mentioned above, it is not the water hardness that is a problem to fish, although changes made to the hardness need to be gradual. Many fish won't tolerate sudden changes to the water parameters, and they can quickly become stressed and ill. If you are making sudden changes to water hardness or pH, you should remove your fish to another tank first, and when finished, you should gradually dilute the water into their holding tank until they become used to it. Use a test kit to regularly test your fish tank water parameters Risks And Benefits Of Soft Water In An Aquarium Whether you have soft water in your taps or most of your fish prefer soft water, it would be wise to understand the risks and benefits of using soft water in an aquarium. The main risks and drawbacks of soft water in an aquarium are: Soft water contains less healthy minerals - Fish need a wide range of minerals and trace elements to stay healthy, and soft water does not provide this, so you will have to give the necessary mineral through food.Soft water can cause frequent pH fluctuations - This is usually an issue with new tanks because the hardness of the tap affects the pH levels. Once the tank becomes established, the hardness from the rocks and substrate will counterbalance the water from the tap.Tank inhabitants will need extra care - The majority of tropical fish are used to living in soft water, however, coldwater fish that come from hard water should be acclimatized slowly to prevent osmotic shock. The main benefits of soft water in an aquarium are: Soft water holds more dissolved oxygen - Water that contains fewer additives with a lower mineral content will hold more dissolved oxygen, which will make it easier for fish to breathe. An increase in oxygen levels will also increase the level of healthy bacteria, which break down food and fish waste.Fish and plants will absorb fewer toxins - Many chemicals in tap water such as chlorine, fluoride, or unwanted minerals can cause severe damage to fish and plants. These can be absorbed easily by soft water and cause ill health or death in fish.Fish will grow faster - While the effects on fish growth are still being debated, many people believe that softer water means more dissolved oxygen which means better food for fish, resulting in faster growth rates.Soft water is less prone to ammonia spikes - Excess ammonia can be caused by a build-up of waste and can lead to decreased oxygen levels. Soft water is more acidic and more capable of breaking down "ammonia causing" waste.Reduced algae growth - Algae thrives in hard water conditions and is much less likely in soft water. When choosing your water hardness, you should keep it within a range suitable to all fish in your tank. You can research each fish to determine what water hardness they inhabit in the wild. Conclusion Water chemistry can be pretty complicated, and I have covered quite a lot in this article. I have listed many methods of softening water and discussed the benefits and drawbacks of having a soft water tank. Whether your water is soft or hard, most fish (unless they are a delicate, specialist species) will adapt to the water type they are kept in. Fish adapt better to gradual changes better than sudden changes, which can bring on osmotic shock. The water type that you use will have a role to play in the overall stability of the water chemistry, affecting pH, oxygen levels, and the nitrogen lifecycle. Most freshwater aquariums will benefit from a more neutral to slightly alkaline pH, which is obtained through neutral to a slightly harder GH level, however, assuming you won't allow your water pH and GH to swing too far in either direction, you should be ok. Once established, most aquariums will find their own natural balance, and frequent water changes will play an essential role in keeping them balanced. Frequently Asked Questions Why Would You Need To Soften Aquarium Water?There are 2 main reasons to soften aquarium's water. The first reason is that your water has become much harder than it should be, and you want to lower the hardness to an acceptable level, and the second reason is that your particular fish species prefer softer water. Does Aquarium Salt Soften Water?Aquarium salt does not soften water; in fact, aquarium salt has minimal impact on water pH, GH, or KH levels. Salt does reduce the water's ability to carry as much oxygen, but it can also have a few benefits to fish health. Why Is Hard Water Problematic For Aquariums?Hard water is not really problematic for aquariums. Hard water is typically more stable, and most fish can adapt well to hard water. Hard water can lead to a build-up of limescale and other minerals, especially around your heater, filter, and other working parts, so regular maintenance is necessary. Some fish species do require softer water to breed, and some exotic species may specifically need softer water for good health.