Every aquarium owner knows how important it is to provide the right conditions for the fish to live. In this case, they will feel good. The aquarium itself will be beautiful and well maintained. One of the important parameters to control is water hardness. In many regions of our country, tap fluid does not meet the requirements. How to soften the water in the aquarium will be discussed later.
General definition of stiffness
One of the important characteristics of an aquarium is water hardness. It is required to soften it in most cases, if the owner of the fish uses liquid from the tap. Hardness is an indicator that characterizes the amount of magnesium and calcium s alts (soluble) in water. Their concentration is expressed in terms of the total hardness index. It is denoted by the letters hD. It is divided into temporary (KN) and permanent (GH) stiffness.
In the first group, magnesium and calcium s alts are formed due to unstable (weak) carbonic acid. This indicator varies depending on the time of day, which is explained by the life cycles of plants. When they do not have enough carbon dioxide to carry out the process of photosynthesis, algae begin to absorb it from biocarbonates. At this time, the temporary hardness is reduced.
At a constant rate, there are stable calcium and magnesium s alts in the water. They are formed from strong acids (nitric, sulfuric, etc.).
If the stiffness index is not correct, the fish feel bad. They can get sick and don't reproduce. The choice of this indicator depends on the type of aquatic life. However, most aquarium fish do well at hD 3-10. In this case, the carbonate hardness (KH) should remain at a level of about 4 dKH. Otherwise, aquatic vegetation will suffer. For her normal photosynthesis, this indicator should not fall below.
You can soften the water at home in many ways. Today, there are many techniques that allow you to maintain the right conditions in the aquarium.
Methods for measuring the level of hardness
There are many ways to soften hard water in an aquarium. First of all, you need to determine how high this indicator is. Further actions depend on this. You can suspect that the water in the tap is hard by the characteristic plaque on the kettle. When boiling, hardness s alts settle on the walls. The faster they accumulate after the next cleaning, the higherthis indicator. However, this method is inaccurate.
To determine what characteristics water has, you need to contact a special laboratory, for example, a sanitary and epidemiological station. Water filter manufacturers also carry out appropriate analyzes. Some of their representative offices have special kits that allow you to analyze the liquid. You can also contact the sales representatives of companies.
In the laboratory, it will be possible to find out the exact indicator of the level of hardness. This is the most correct approach to determining the properties of a liquid.
When wondering how to soften water from a well, a centralized water supply, one should consider another popular method for measuring this indicator. You need to go to the pet store. It contains special test strips. They are lowered into the water, and then the result is studied.
The strip will change its color depending on the degree of hardness of the liquid. This result is approximate, but certain conclusions can be drawn. Also, such strips can be bought in specialized stores of household appliances, especially where coffee machines are sold. High-quality test strips are produced by foreign companies. Therefore, it can be difficult to interpret the result. The grading scale in our country and in foreign countries is different.
Water filters
There are several ways to reduce water hardness. One of the simple and effective ways is to filter the liquid. Such equipment is now availableeverywhere. Water softening filters are sold by both domestic and foreign manufacturers. One of the most popular manufacturers is the Russian company Aquaphor.
Several varieties of water softening filters are on sale. They can be as follows:
- reverse osmosis;
- equipment for washing;
- jug;
- flow filter.
The listed systems can be used in everyday life for softening water, as well as its purification from other unnecessary impurities. The choice of equipment depends on the quality of the water in the area. For example, reverse osmosis may be required to purify and soften well water. Under sink systems may include several different filters, which are also selected according to the characteristics of the liquid.
One of the systems is reverse osmosis. It removes almost all microelements, pollution and unpleasant odors from the water. However, this water may not be suitable for an aquarium. Therefore, complete with reverse osmosis, you need to use a mineralizer. It restores acidity and temporary hardness, without which the comfort of aquatic life is impossible.
Most under-sink filters don't soften water. To do this, you need to purchase a special cartridge. It is installed in the plastic block of the system. Such a cartridge has the letter "H" in the marking. It may be called softening.
Other filtration systems
Learning how to make aquarium watersofter, you should consider a few more filter options. One of them is called flow. This option is suitable for water that is characterized by an average or below average level of hardness. The cartridge must be constantly changed or washed with a special compound (the procedure is clearly spelled out in the manufacturer's instructions). For an aquarium, many systems of this type may not be suitable. It is necessary to consult with the seller of filters. Many models release large amounts of sodium.
One of the possible options for softening water are pitcher filters. If water is needed infrequently, the removable cartridge does not need to be changed frequently. Today they are available in different versions. Depending on the content, it is possible to purify water not only from hardness s alts, but also from other pollutants.
When choosing how to soften tap water, filters should be considered as the most suitable option. This water can also be used for domestic purposes. Before buying the necessary equipment, you should consult with the seller. He will give recommendations on which device is most suitable for purifying tap water.
In some cases, you need to purchase special equipment. It will remove specific contaminants from the water. Most often, such a solution is required in homes where water is supplied from a well.
Boiling
How to make the water in the aquarium softer without installing special equipment? There are a few simple recommendations to bring the indicator back to normal. One of them isboiling. Using this technique, it is impossible to completely remove hardness s alts from water. But you can reduce their concentration. Boiling would be appropriate if the hardness index is medium or below average.
This will require boiling water for an hour. The higher the heating temperature and the duration of treatment, the better. 60 minutes after boiling, the kettle is turned off. The water must cool down. It stays for at least a day. Then it can be used to fill the aquarium. It is not recommended to immediately drain all the water and collect boiled water. This will lead to adverse consequences.
When considering how to soften water at home, many aquarium owners choose to boil. This is a simple method. However, it has many disadvantages. It is worth saying that only a certain part of the hardness s alts precipitates. In this case, scale forms on the kettle, which must be periodically cleaned.
When using this approach, most bacteria (including beneficial ones) die. However, many viruses are absolutely not afraid of boiling. To get rid of them, you will need to use special equipment. Organic chlorides may be present in the water. It's a carcinogen. Its effect is only enhanced by boiling. Therefore, water heated to high temperatures can harm the inhabitants of the aquarium. If the method presented is applied, only part of the water can be replaced with boiled water.
It is difficult to call this method effective. It won't help if the water is hard. Therefore, experts recommend using other methods. Approach toreducing the amount of hardness s alts should be comprehensive.
More tips
When choosing a technique for softening hard water in an aquarium, it is worth considering a few more popular approaches. Some people, realizing that boiling will not give a high result, improve this technique. You will also need a kettle and enough tap water.
A glass or ceramic plate is fixed in front of the spout. Steam will fall on it, escaping from the kettle during boiling. A container for collecting moisture is installed on the lower edge of the plate. The evaporation process takes a long time. However, its effectiveness is many times greater than conventional boiling. In this case, it is possible to collect water, the hardness of which will be almost zero.
Another effective way is to get soft water for the aquarium by freezing. You will need a regular plastic bottle. ¾ of water is poured into it. Then it is tightly closed and placed in the freezer. You need to check how much the water is frozen. When the ice in the bottle is 50%, you need to get it out of the freezer.
Plastic needs to be carefully cut. Water that is not frozen is drained. A piece of ice is taken out into another container. When it melts, it can be used not only for an aquarium, but also for watering plants. Such water has a low level of hardness. It is similar in composition to rain, melt water.
If you don't want to make your own water, you can buy it. For this, distilled or rain liquid is used. Such formulations can be purchased at a pharmacy, andalso at the pet store. If rain or melt water has been collected, it will need to be thoroughly cleaned of debris and impurities. To do this, strain the liquid through a dense cloth. The procedure is quite lengthy.
If distilled water was purchased, dilute the water in the aquarium with it. The proportion depends on the level of hardness in the existing liquid. The most common ratio is that 1 liter of water in the aquarium is mixed with 2 liters of distilled water.
Special plants
How to soften hard water at home? You can purchase special plants that will reduce the level of hardness s alts in the liquid. You can buy them at the pet store. The most famous aquarium cultures are:
- hornwort;
- seaweed hara;
- elodea.
Such plants, being in their natural habitat, have a crust on the leaves. This is the sediment of hardness s alts. At night, such plants do not absorb carbon dioxide. The photosynthesis process stops at this time. Fish and other living things breathe. As a result, carbon dioxide levels rise. At the same time, the level of rigidity also increases.
When considering how to soften water in an aquarium, it is worth understanding that such a process must be controlled. If a large number of algae grow here, which affect the level of hardness, the difference in this indicator at night and during the day will be significant. This can negatively affect the he alth and well-being of the inhabitants.aquarium.
If you plant a lot of these plants here, the fish will simply suffocate at night. Therefore, the presented method is used as an additional one. Plants will not help reduce the stiffness index if it is above average. It is better to combine this approach with dilution with distilled water.
Peat application
How can you soften the water in the aquarium? There are a number of special preparations that can be added to the liquid. They do not harm the fish (if the composition is used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions). One such substance is peat. Based on it, some softening preparations are made.
Peat is an organic substance, which includes plant-type fossils. In addition to organics, it also contains resins, humic acids, wax, and other substances. In the aquarium, this substance has several effects at once. As a result, plants grow more actively due to the strengthening of the roots, and fungi and bacteria cannot actively multiply. The main effects of peat on water include:
- decrease in pH (becomes more acidic);
- water softening (KH and dH).
- enrichment of water with useful components (tannins, humic acids);
- light fungicidal, bactericidal action.
Peat to reduce water hardness must be used responsibly. It should not be used as an aquarium filter bed. For these purposes, only specialcoal.
Before using peat, you need to know the exact value of the hardness level. Otherwise, you can create the opposite effect. The level of acidity and hardness will not correspond to an acceptable value. If a certain type of fish likes an alkaline environment, the use of peat will make their life at least uncomfortable. If you continue to use it, aquatic life may die.
It should be noted that peat tints the water. It becomes dark in color (similar to tea). This may not be to the liking of many aquarium owners. At the same time, peat ages the water. It becomes as close to natural conditions as possible.
Peat-based preparations
On sale are compositions that soften water, made on the basis of peat. One popular remedy is Tetra ToruMin. It gives the water a characteristic dark tint. This has a beneficial effect on the behavior, well-being, coloring of some fish species. Light penetrates the water worse, which prevents water from blooming.
Another peat-based product is JBL Tormec active. It is a granular water softener. The effect of using this remedy is long-lasting. It has a beneficial effect on fish whose natural habitat is dark water. Formula reduces algae in fresh water.
Another peat-based granular product is Sera Super Peat. It also softens water, reduces the acidity of the environment.
Other drugs
How to soften the water in the aquariumin other ways? There are a number of drugs that have a different effect. The most famous of these are the following drugs:
- Tetra Aqua Easy Balance - stabilizes the pH level, hardness. Moreover, the habitat will not be subject to sharp fluctuations in the level of these indicators. This greatly improves comfort for many types of aquatic life. The possibility of a sudden change in conditions when using the presented drug will be excluded.
- Tetra Aqua Nitrate Minus - reduces the amount of nitrates. Under its influence, nitrogen passes into a simple form. Rigidity also gradually decreases. Toxins are quickly broken down. They are formed in the water during the life of the inhabitants of the aquarium. The presented substance allows you to break down toxins in the amount in which they are produced, maintain a he althy environment in the aquarium.
- Tetra Aqua pH/KH Minus is a conditioner designed for controlled hardness and pH reduction. It is important to conduct periodic monitoring of water quality. For this, special test strips are used. The drug allows you to create a natural habitat for tropical fish.
The listed drugs are selected according to the type of fish that live in the aquarium. Such drugs allow you to create the most comfortable living environment for them.
Having considered the options for softening the water in the aquarium, you can control the level of hardness. This is necessary to ensure the right conditions for different types of fish, algae.
