For me this is tough, I am not sure what to do. Hopefully someone out there has some ideas!
Problem 1 - My home has softened water (I use potassium). In order to get regular hard water, I had to tap the sprinkler box outside. Well, this only works for about half the year because of temps here. I think my solution will be to split my line pre-softener in the garage and have a source available in the garage at least. However, this does not give me a sink and drain, nor does it give me hard hot water (which I don't have now either). This is a segue to problem 2.
Problem 2 - I am on the bucket brigade because I cannot use a python for the reasons stated above. I also have to use spare heaters to warm up buckets when the temps drop. In the summer the tap water from the sprinkler box is 77 degrees. I think my solution here is to put a sink in the garage, I'd have to also add a small water heater for this sink and a sump pump to get the water drained. So far this has been a worse prospect that using buckets on my 5 tanks.
Ideas are welcome! I have no interest in using RO/DI and remineralizing, my fish love the tap water here. I do have plans to get to a fish room, I will have a water change system in there...but those are big goals that require much plumbing.
Thanks!