Arawana in tank with home softener system

[JohnnyTBags]

Hey all,

just recently moved and moved my Tank. Houses about 60 African cichlids. Lost the battle with wife in putting a water softener in as we use very hard well water. I was able to do my last water change before installation. There was no way to bypass softener so the only way to get the well water into cichlids tank is a gigantic 3 day pain in the ass. I’m debating selling my Africans and changing entire tank out.

From what I understand arawana don’t mind if not thrive it soft water. Can anyone provide info on what GH KH and PH is ideal for arawana, if my house hold water softeners low to no GH and low KH (160ppm) is good water for arawana. PH is around 7. This **** has been driving me nuts and have about 2 weeks to make a decision.

any help on this topic would very heloful

 

[Rtc/tsn]

When I had an arowana I kept him in hard water and he did really good and I never saw any difference when I did add a water softener. Don’t have much experience on arowana but hope that I helped a bit.

 

[JohnnyTBags]

When I had an arowana I kept him in hard water and he did really good and I never saw any difference when I did add a water softener. Don’t have much experience on arowana but hope that I helped a bit.

It be much easier to keep my Africans but I really don’t think I can handle it. I have very picky Victorians and no chance they could survive in soft water unless someone knows something I don’t.

Ive kept aros before and could use a change. Appreciate the input. Any other info would be great

 

[tlindsey]

https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/what-is-dh-ph-and-dkh.76783/

Hey all,

just recently moved and moved my Tank. Houses about 60 African cichlids. Lost the battle with wife in putting a water softener in as we use very hard well water. I was able to do my last water change before installation. There was no way to bypass softener so the only way to get the well water into cichlids tank is a gigantic 3 day pain in the ass. I’m debating selling my Africans and changing entire tank out.

From what I understand arawana don’t mind if not thrive it soft water. Can anyone provide info on what GH KH and PH is ideal for arawana, if my house hold water softeners low to no GH and low KH (160ppm) is good water for arawana. PH is around 7. This **** has been driving me nuts and have about 2 weeks to make a decision.

any help on this topic would very heloful

 

[tlindsey]

https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/what-is-dh-ph-and-dkh.76783/

Hope that helps

 

[JohnnyTBags]

Hope that helps

“Typical home water softeners soften water using a technique known as ``ion exchange''. That is, they remove calcium and magnesium ions by replacing them with sodium ions. Although this does technically make water softer, most fish won't notice the difference. That is, fish that prefer soft water don't like sodium either, and for them such water softeners don't help at all. Thus, home water softeners are not an appropriate way to soften water for aquarium use.”

this is great info!I guess my main question is, without being a mad scientist every weekend. Is there species of fish that I can keep with an at home water softener? I feel like I’m reading all this correctly, but find so many conflicting stories. Unfortunately in this write it it doesn’t clearly state that at home water softener is a complete no go on keeping fish with out chemistry.So my main question is what can I keep based on your experience? My tank is gorgeous snd I would hate to take it down because my wife wants her stupid hair softer!!!!

 

[tlindsey]

“Typical home water softeners soften water using a technique known as ``ion exchange''. That is, they remove calcium and magnesium ions by replacing them with sodium ions. Although this does technically make water softer, most fish won't notice the difference. That is, fish that prefer soft water don't like sodium either, and for them such water softeners don't help at all. Thus, home water softeners are not an appropriate way to soften water for aquarium use.”

this is great info!I guess my main question is, without being a mad scientist every weekend. Is there species of fish that I can keep with an at home water softener? I feel like I’m reading all this correctly, but find so many conflicting stories. Unfortunately in this write it it doesn’t clearly state that at home water softener is a complete no go on keeping fish with out chemistry.So my main question is what can I keep based on your experience? My tank is gorgeous snd I would hate to take it down because my wife wants her stupid hair softer!!!!

I read a thread maybe last year not sure but some experienced members said no to the home water softener. I guarantee members will chime in with a definite answer for you.

 

[phreeflow]

“Typical home water softeners soften water using a technique known as ``ion exchange''. That is, they remove calcium and magnesium ions by replacing them with sodium ions. Although this does technically make water softer, most fish won't notice the difference. That is, fish that prefer soft water don't like sodium either, and for them such water softeners don't help at all. Thus, home water softeners are not an appropriate way to soften water for aquarium use.”

this is great info!I guess my main question is, without being a mad scientist every weekend. Is there species of fish that I can keep with an at home water softener? I feel like I’m reading all this correctly, but find so many conflicting stories. Unfortunately in this write it it doesn’t clearly state that at home water softener is a complete no go on keeping fish with out chemistry.So my main question is what can I keep based on your experience? My tank is gorgeous snd I would hate to take it down because my wife wants her stupid hair softer!!!!

I don’t know the science but I have a whole house water softener and keep whatever I want. Ive had peacocks, frontosas, etc that all did great as well as a albino aro, dats, plecos, etc. If I really wanted hard tap, I can just run a hose from the garden spigot. Are you sure they are softening that as well?

 

[Rocksor]

Just bypass the water softener. I've known folks whose fish deteriorated over a period of months while using a water softener system. This would continue for at least months to a year until they just used the water straight from a faucet (like the garden faucet) that was not using softened water. They were typically store bred fish like severums, angels, mollies, guppies, africans, etc.

Just remove the complication and deal with the non-softened water (from the garden faucet).

 

[JohnnyTBags]

Just bypass the water softener. I've known folks whose fish deteriorated over a period of months while using a water softener system. This would continue for at least months to a year until they just used the water straight from a faucet (like the garden faucet) that was not using softened water. They were typically store bred fish like severums, angels, mollies, guppies, africans, etc.

Just remove the complication and deal with the non-softened water (from the garden faucet).

the outside garden hose is also connected. The entire system is and per plumber no choice unless making cuts. Plus I live in New York so winter months would be hard considering that water would freeze up and no way to regulate temp from outside faucet. I’d also hVe frozen pipes.