"NetMax" wrote in message
...
"Nitesbane" wrote in message
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Hi. I have a 55g planted tank (low light). My tap water isn't exactly
ideal for my community fish or my plants (pH about 8, GH ~250ppm), and
I'd
like to use distilled or RO water instead of using peat moss or water
softeners that would change the color of my water. What is a good mix
of
tap water to distilled/RO water? And which is better to use (is there
significant difference?) distilled or RO? Thanks a bunch.


It will depend on which is more readily available. How much do you want
to bring it down? Like the effect on you water, it's a question of
degrees. Plants can be extremely adaptable. I've got Amazon Sword,
Madagascar Lace, a Crypt, some Nymphoides, Java fern, Hornwort and a few
others in well-water which varies from 6 to 35dgH (I allow the tank to go
from 6 to about 24dgH). For reference, you are at 14dgH. My pH is
always 8.4pH. The plant's growth rate & pattern can be significantly
different. For example, I prefer the look of the Lace in hard water, as
the leaves are broad, low and horizontal providing a 'roof' for fry,
whereas the leaves are thinner and vertical in soft water. The Amazon,
Hornwort, Crypts and Nyphoides don't appear to grow any differently (in
shape), but the Nyphoides grows significantly slower, and the Amazon &
Crypt slightly slower (Java fern growth is cm per year). Hornwort is
pruned by the foot. I'd be inclined to leave your water as is if your
changes were only for the plants.

What type of fish do you have? If they are acclimated to your current
conditions, I would also be inclined to leave it alone. Regular water
changes will keep it fresh, and without messing with the chemistry, you
should have no stability issues. If the fish are acclimated to softer
(or harder) water, then you can make a diluted mix to meet them halfway
for a few weeks. I've found that Discus do poorly above 7.7pH (probably
somewhat due to the local conditions they were raised in, so ymmv).
Unless you are planning on breeding, many fish would adapt to 8.0pH. I
have Clown & Yoyo loaches in 8.4pH, and I'm sure they are listed as soft
acidic water fish (Mekong river China I think).

Plant growth will soften your water (removes calcium) and acidifies it as
well (as rotting debris). Many types of driftwood will not tint your
water, but will still slightly soften it. If you are at a low fish load,
lots of plants and some driftwood, you might find that everything settles
in nicely after a few months.

Thanks for the advice. I keep neon and black neon tetras with a few danios.
I have two african dwarf frogs, a panda cory and I just picked up a
freshwater puffer. The danios breed like there's no tomorrow, but I would
really love to be able to bring up some baby tetras. I absolutely adore
them, especially the black neons. I have used a combination of driftwood,
CO2 injection, and a water softener pillow (gives my water a yellow tint) to
bring my GH down to 9 from 15 and my pH down to 7.2-7.5. I'd just like (for
now) to make everything neutral and see how the fish like it. Average gh,
kh, and ph.
I didn't know that plant growth would soften the water. I had a 10 gallon
tank for about a month, then dumped everything into a 55. It's been 3 weeks
since everything went into the 55 gallon. Right now the tank is lightly
planted, but I'm waiting on a plant order to come in.
At this point I'm thinking that for my next 15% water change I'll use 70%
distilled and 30% tap while removing my water softener. I won't add it all
at the same time, as the fish might get freaked out...I'll probably do it
over the course of several hours.


As for the web site's recommendations, I too like California weather, but
I live in Canada ;~)

I'm actually from California originally, but had to move to New Jersey to be
closer to family. Jersey sucks. ;-)

-Nitesbane