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New Tank For Hard Water

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Offline Loubaa

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New Tank for hard water
« on: August 11, 2014, 12:41:11 PM »
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Hi everyone
Have convinced husband to get a tank for home  ;D. Have my eye on a tank 120cm x 30cm 182l, (but might be talked down to 90cm x 30cm). My main prob is my water - about 230 ppm and average 7.4 ph (water company measures). On some sites this is classed as 'hard' but have read a post here saying that it is in fact 'very hard'! I'm not an experienced fishkeeper and would like some advice on what I could put in the tank. Would prefer not to have a single species, and I like fish with personality rather than just looks (starting to sound like a dating website ...)
In my first tank I ended up with guppies (RIP Pinky  :'( ), platies and WCM minnows, so looking for something a bit different from the live bearers.
I know all you fishy fans will have some great ideas - all gratefully received!
Thanks!
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Offline SteveS

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Re: New Tank for hard water
« Reply #1 on: August 11, 2014, 03:25:22 PM »
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Hard water isn't a problem, it's just a factor you have to consider when choosing your fish. One factor amongst many. Just as if you had soft water, it will limit the types of fish you can expect to prosper in your tank.

Now as to whether your water is "Hard" or "Very Hard" is rather a vague measure. The answer is here.
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A Selection of Fish in my Fish Community Creator Tanks
Angelfish (1) - Panda Cory (10) - Harlequin Rasbora (10) - Otocinclus (10) - Japonica Shrimp (10) - Honey Gourami (10) - Galaxy Rasbora (10) -
Note: The user may not necessarily own these fish, these are tanks that they may be building or researching for stocking purposes

Offline Loubaa

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Re: New Tank for hard water
« Reply #2 on: August 11, 2014, 05:11:32 PM »
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Thanks Steve, so "very hard" then!
Having hard water and high PH does seem to limit the choice somewhat - or maybe it's just the fish I like are in the 'pansy' range! My LFS has all types of fish in the "local" water including those that prefer quite soft water. They say that the fish are acclimatised because they were raised in these tanks. Is this right? Surely they can't change their biology that much?
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Offline SteveS

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Re: New Tank for hard water
« Reply #3 on: August 11, 2014, 05:28:04 PM »
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Quote from: Loubaa on August 11, 2014, 05:11:32 PM
Thanks Steve, so "very hard" then!
I would say "Hard" or "Very Hard". My water is 280ppm or 16dDH! That's "Very Hard"!

Quote from: Loubaa on August 11, 2014, 05:11:32 PM
Having hard water and high PH does seem to limit the choice somewhat - or maybe it's just the fish I like are in the 'pansy' range! My LFS has all types of fish in the "local" water including those that prefer quite soft water. They say that the fish are acclimatised because they were raised in these tanks. Is this right? Surely they can't change their biology that much?
Whether you have hard soft or medium water it will limit your choice, that's the way it works. A lot of fish will adapt and live quite happily, although they may not breed. However, there are some especially sensitive fish that don't adapt. The ones that leap to mind are the German Ram or Ram or Mikrogeophagus ramirezi and the Discus. There may be some others too. You may keep these if you wish, you just have to go to extremes to alter the hardness of your water. Reducing the hardness is not easy, so try and avoid it for now. When you have more experience it should be easier.
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A Selection of Fish in my Fish Community Creator Tanks
Angelfish (1) - Panda Cory (10) - Harlequin Rasbora (10) - Otocinclus (10) - Japonica Shrimp (10) - Honey Gourami (10) - Galaxy Rasbora (10) -
Note: The user may not necessarily own these fish, these are tanks that they may be building or researching for stocking purposes

Offline Sue

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Re: New Tank for hard water
« Reply #4 on: August 11, 2014, 07:48:45 PM »
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If you want fish with lots of attitude, Rift Lake cichlids, though you would need the larger tank for them. And I would also search for a specialist site as not many, if any, people on here keep them.


I save info that might come in useful, and here is a list I've saved on hard water fish, in addition to Rift Lake cichlids -
most livebearers including the not very common ones (on Seriously Fish, on the knowledge base home page, look at 'Cyprinodontiforms' subdivision 'cyprinodontoid toothcarps'. Sorry about those mouthfuls  ;D )
blind cave tetras
x-ray tetras
lemon tetras
red eye tetras
false penguin tetras
many species of rainbowfish (search Melanotaenia)
some killifish eg Jordanella floridae & Aplocheilichthys macrophthalmus
central American cichlids (though these can get quite big)
and smaller fish such as Danio erythromicron
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Offline ColinB

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Re: New Tank for hard water
« Reply #5 on: August 12, 2014, 08:02:32 AM »
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Various barbs will fit the bill.... but be sure to check their temperature requirements first as some like cooler water;

Odessa barb
Ticto barb (sometime considered the same as the Odessa)
Checkered barb
Rosy barb
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A Selection of Fish in my Fish Community Creator Tanks
Panda Cory (7) - Honey Gourami (3) - Ember Tetra (9) - Lemon Tetra (4) - Cherry Barb (1) - Otocinclus (2) -
Note: The user may not necessarily own these fish, these are tanks that they may be building or researching for stocking purposes

Offline Loubaa

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Re: New Tank for hard water
« Reply #6 on: August 12, 2014, 11:36:35 AM »
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Thanks ColinB and Sue - knew I would get some ideas from you two!
  :cheers:
Haven't had time to check them out yet but will do. I like the cichlids but think would be a cichlid only tank - not nec a problem tho.
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Offline ColinB

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Re: New Tank for hard water
« Reply #7 on: August 12, 2014, 11:59:53 AM »
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Quote from: Loubaa on August 12, 2014, 11:36:35 AM
Thanks ColinB and Sue - knew I would get some ideas from you two!
  :cheers:
Haven't had time to check them out yet but will do. I like the cichlids but think would be a cichlid only tank - not nec a problem tho.

Pleasure!

There is an excellent introduction to a Rift Lake Cichlid Community (or Mbuna Community) here. Well worth a read... grab a coffee (or a wine ;D) and enjoy!
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A Selection of Fish in my Fish Community Creator Tanks
Panda Cory (7) - Honey Gourami (3) - Ember Tetra (9) - Lemon Tetra (4) - Cherry Barb (1) - Otocinclus (2) -
Note: The user may not necessarily own these fish, these are tanks that they may be building or researching for stocking purposes

Offline Loubaa

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Re: New Tank for hard water
« Reply #8 on: August 12, 2014, 05:09:18 PM »
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I don't take caffeine so it will just have to be wine. Perhaps a little later tho'!
Thanks for the link
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