I’ve had my planted tank “set-up” (long story) for about 4 weeks. I have a well with a water softener, so I recently started dosing equilibrium to try to bring the GH up. Plant growth seems hit or miss depending on species. (Java fern seems a little rough). I am also suspicious that I may not be fertilizing enough, and some other nutrient deficiencies going on
Tank is stocked with (15) Neons; (6) orange venz Corys, (5) chili rasboras
Turns out I have a spigot in the basement pre-water softener. So I ran a cup of hard and soft water and put a test strip in. Here is what I found
soft water: GH=0; KH=40; PH=6.4
hard water: GH=150; KH=120; Ph=6.8-7.2
In terms of plant growth, am I better off converting over to my hard water?
Can my livestock handle the transition? I understand the neons probably will disagree with it.
If I did change over, would it be wise to do it gradually through water changes?
Thanks in advance.
***or a thought I just had…could I mix my hard and soft water and end up with my GH goal..shooting for 3-6 and still possible have the added nutrients from the harder water?