Each aquarium owner knows how important it is to ensure the right living conditions for the fish. In this case, they will feel good. The aquarium itself will be beautiful and well-groomed. One of the important parameters to be controlled is the hardness of the water. In many regions of our country, liquid from the tap 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 the hardness of the water. It is required to soften it in most cases, if the owner of the fish uses liquid from the tap. Stiffness is an indicator that characterizes the amount of magnesium and calcium (soluble) salts in water. Their concentration is expressed in terms of total stiffness. It is denoted by the letters hD. It is divided into temporary (KH) and permanent (GH) stiffness.
In the first group, magnesium and calcium salts 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 complete the photosynthesis process, algae begin to absorb it from biocarbonates. At this time, temporary stiffness decreases.
At a constant rate, there are stable calcium and magnesium salts in the water. They are formed from strong acids (nitric, sulfuric, etc.).
If the stiffness indicator is not normal, the fish feel bad. They can hurt, do not breed. The choice of this indicator depends on the type of aquatic inhabitants. However, most aquarium fish feel good at hD 3-10. In this case, carbonate hardness (KH) should remain at a level of about 4 dKH. Otherwise, aquatic vegetation will suffer. For its normal photosynthesis, this indicator should not fall below.
There are many ways to soften water at home. Today, there are many methods that allow you to maintain the correct conditions in the aquarium.
Methods for measuring 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 it. It is possible to suspect that the water in the tap is hard by the characteristic plaque on the kettle. When boiling, hardness salts settle on the walls. The faster they accumulate after the next cleaning, the higher this 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. Also, manufacturers of water filters carry out appropriate analyzes. In some of their offices there are special kits that allow you to do a fluid analysis. You can contact the sales representatives of companies.
In the laboratory, it will be possible to find out the exact indicator of the level of stiffness. This is the most correct approach to determining the properties of a liquid.
Being interested in how to soften water from a well, centralized water supply, one more popular method for measuring this indicator should be considered. Need to go to a pet store. It has special test strips. They are immersed in water, and then the result is studied.
The strip will change color depending on the degree of hardness of the liquid. This result is approximate, but allows certain conclusions to be drawn. Also, these strips can be bought in specialized stores of household appliances, especially in those where coffee machines are sold. Quality test strips are produced by foreign companies. Therefore, in interpreting the result, difficulties may arise. The rating scale in our country and in foreign countries is different.
Water filters
There are several ways to reduce water hardness. One simple and effective way is to filter the liquid. Such equipment can be purchased everywhere. Water softeners are sold by both domestic and foreign manufacturers. One of the most popular manufacturers is the Russian company Aquaphor.
On sale are several varieties of filters that soften water. They may be as follows:
- reverse osmosis;
- equipment for washing;
- jug;
- flow filter.
The listed systems can be used in everyday life to soften 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 clean and soften water from a well. The systems under the sink may include several different filters, which are also selected according to the characteristics of the fluid.
One system option is reverse osmosis. It removes from the water almost all trace elements, pollution and unpleasant odors. However, such water may not be suitable for the aquarium. Therefore, complete with reverse osmosis, you need to use a mineralizer. It restores acidity and an indicator of temporary hardness, without which the comfort of aquatic inhabitants is impossible.
Most filters that are installed under the sink do not soften the water. To do this, you need to purchase a special cartridge. It is installed in the plastic block of the system. Such a cartridge is marked with the letter “H”. It can be called softening.
Other filtration systems
When exploring how to make water in the aquarium softer, a few more filter options should be considered. One of them is called flowing. This option is suitable for water that has an average or lower than average hardness. The cartridge must be constantly changed or washed with a special composition (the procedure is clearly prescribed in the manufacturer's instructions). Many systems of this type may not be suitable for an aquarium. Consult your filter seller. Many models give a large amount of sodium.
One of the options for water softening are filter jugs. If water is rarely required, the removable cartridge does not need to be changed frequently. Today, their various variations are produced. Depending on the contents, it is possible to purify water not only from hardness salts, but also from other pollutants.
When choosing a way to soften tap water, filters should be considered as the most suitable option. Such water can 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 cleaning tap water.
In some cases, special equipment is required. It will allow you to remove specific pollutants from the water. Most often, such a solution is required in homes where water is supplied from the well.
Boiling
How to make water in the aquarium softer without installing special equipment? There are some simple recommendations to bring the indicator back to normal. One of them is boiling. Using this technique, hardness salts cannot be completely removed from water. But you can reduce their concentration. Boiling will be advisable if the hardness is average or lower than average.
To do this, you need to boil water for an hour. The higher the heating temperature and the processing time, the better. 60 minutes after boiling, the kettle is turned off. The water should cool. She defends 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 effects.
When considering how to soften water at home, many aquarium owners choose boiling. This is a simple method. However, it has many disadvantages. It is worth saying that only a certain part of hardness salts precipitates. At the same time, a scale forms on the kettle, which must be periodically cleaned.
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. Organochlorine may be present in water. It is a carcinogen. Its effect on boiling only intensifies. Therefore, water heated to high temperatures can harm the inhabitants of the aquarium. If the methodology is applied, only part of the water can be replaced with boiled water.
This method is difficult to call effective. It will not help if the water is hard. Therefore, experts recommend using other methods. The approach to reducing the amount of hardness salts should be comprehensive.
Other tips
When choosing a technique for softening hard water in an aquarium, it’s 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 a sufficient amount of tap water.
A glass or ceramic plate is fixed in front of the spout. Steam will escape onto it, escaping from the kettle when boiling. At the lower edge of the plate, a container for collecting moisture is installed. The evaporation process takes a lot of time. However, its effectiveness is many times greater than ordinary boiling. In this case, it is possible to collect water, the rigidity of which will be practically 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. It is necessary to check how much water has 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 has not frozen is drained. A piece of ice is removed in another container. When it melts, it can be used not only for the 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 do not want to cook water yourself, you can buy it. For this, distilled or rain liquid is used. Such formulations can be purchased at the pharmacy, as well as 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 tissue. The procedure is quite lengthy.
If distilled water was purchased, it is diluted with water in the aquarium. The proportion depends on the level of stiffness in the existing fluid. Most often adhere to the ratio in which 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 salts in the liquid. They can be bought at the pet store. The most famous aquarium crops are:
- hornwort;
- khara algae;
- Elodea.
Such plants, while in their natural habitat, have a crust on the leaves. This is the precipitate from hardness salts. At night, such plants do not absorb carbon dioxide. The photosynthesis process stops at this time. Fish and other living things breathe. Because of this, the level of carbon dioxide rises. Along with this, the level of rigidity increases.
When considering how to soften the water in the aquarium, it is worthwhile to understand that such a process should be controlled. If a large number of algae grow here, which affect the level of hardness, the difference in this indicator at night and day will be significant. This can negatively affect the health and well-being of the inhabitants of the aquarium.
If you plant a lot of such plants here, the fish will simply suffocate at night. Therefore, the presented method is used as an additional one. Plants will not help reduce stiffness 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 drugs that can be added to a liquid. They do not harm fish (if you use the composition in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions). One such substance is peat. On its basis, some preparations are made to mitigate.
Peat is an organic substance that contains plant-type fossils. In addition to organics, resins, humic acids, wax, and other substances are also present in it. In an aquarium, this substance has several effects. 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:
- lowering the pH level (the medium becomes more acidic);
- water softening (KH and dH).
- enrichment of water with useful components (tannins, humic acids);
- mild fungicidal, bactericidal effect.
Peat must be used responsibly to reduce water hardness. It cannot be used as a backfill for an aquarium filter. For these purposes, only special coal can be used.
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 use it further, aquatic inhabitants may die.
It should be noted that peat tint water. It becomes dark in color (similar to tea). Many aquarium owners may not like this. In this case, peat ages water. It becomes as close as possible to natural conditions.
Peat preparations
On sale are water softening compounds made on the basis of peat. One popular tool is Tetra ToruMin. It gives the water a characteristic dark shade. This has a beneficial effect on the behavior, well-being, color of fish of some species. Light penetrates into water worse, which prevents the flowering of water.
Another peat preparation is JBL Tormec active. It is a granular filler to soften water. The effect of the use of this tool is long. Beneficial effect on fish whose natural habitat is dark water. The composition reduces the amount of algae in fresh water.
Another granular peat preparation is Sera Super Peat. It also softens water, lowers the acidity of the medium.
Other drugs
How to soften the water in the aquarium in other ways? There are a number of drugs that have a different effect. The most famous of them are the following drugs:
- Tetra Aqua Easy Balance - stabilizes pH, hardness. Moreover, the habitat will not be subject to sharp fluctuations in the level of these indicators. This greatly improves comfort for many species of aquatic life. The likelihood of a sharp change in conditions when using the presented drug will be excluded.
- Tetra Aqua Nitrate Minus - reduces the amount of nitrates. Under its influence, nitrogen goes into a simple form. The stiffness is also gradually reduced. Toxins break down quickly. They are formed in 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, to maintain a healthy environment in the aquarium.
- Tetra Aqua pH / KH Minus - The air conditioner is designed for a controlled reduction in hardness and pH. It is important to periodically monitor water quality. For this, special test strips are used. The drug allows you to create a natural habitat for tropical fish.
These drugs are selected in accordance with the type of fish that live in the aquarium. Such drugs can create the most comfortable living environment for them.
Having considered options for how to soften 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.