Water Quality

[Charis]

cool. So that master kti sounds like just what I need though for my water at least once. Because I have no idea what my water's pH or kH is. I just started keeping fish in it b/c it is well water. Never tested it once. I know bad but the fish are fine so the level can't be too off.

[sharkbait]

While it's a good idea to know the pH of your water and what kind of fish would thrive in it, I have found that bettas in hard water are still OK. For example, we also have well water here and the pH is above 8. Bettas prefer a pH in the 6's, slightly acidic, but I've been keeping these guys in this pH > 8 water for over a year now and they all act fine. whatever you do, do not try to adjust the pH b/c fluctuations in it is much more harmful than hard water. plus, since well water usually comes from groundwater, it's probably pretty buffered (high in dissolved solids it collects from filtering thru the ground) and it would take inordinate amounts of chemicals to change the pH, anyway.

[Charis]

I don't really care about the pH for the bettas. I want to find out what it is for my cycling ten gallon. b/c it would take a ton of chemicals to change it I would rather change the types of fish I would get for the ten gallon to ones that would prefer a higher pH. If that makes any sense.

[Guitarchiq]

Yep, working with the ph you already have is a good plan.  I don't like using chemicals to alter ph anyhow, as they can do more damage than good depending on the buffering capacity of your water.  If you really want to soften your water, run some peat through your filter, and add some driftwood to the tank.  Natural plant tannins are a great way to soften your water without potential problems from chemicals. 

[BettaBelle]

What about coir? You think that would help?