Using Groundwater for freshwater planted aquarium

svkr2k · 01-17-2013, 04:48 PM

Hi all,

I'm hoping to start a 48x12x18 low-tech planted aquarium soon.
Can I use the groundwater in my aquarium (during intial setup, cycling and continue to use it henceforth)?

FYI, the groundwater in my place is hard, promotes algae growth (i have seen algae building up inside the hose of the washing machine in my home - high phosphate, ammonia/nitrate content?), the vessels that i use to boil the water has white salty deposits throughout the inner surface.

Thanks in advance for your ideas.

lochaber · 01-17-2013, 09:03 PM

It would probably be easier if you could pick some hard-water plants, but that leaves most aquarium plants out.

Could also try filtering with peat- it should help bring the pH down some, and lower the hardness.

On the upside, you won't have to worry about chlorine/chloramine

svkr2k · 01-18-2013, 03:39 PM

Hi thanks for ideas.

Will guppies and platys survive in hard water?
So, if i use peat along with the hard water in my place, do you think this could probably solve my problem by reducing pH, hardness?

Diana · 01-19-2013, 12:34 AM

Guppies and Platies are hard water fish, it is better for them than soft water.

Test the water with all the tests you have, if any.

Most aquarium plants are fine in hard water. There are a few specialized plants that really require soft water, but that is a short list.

Filtering the water through peat moss may help, but I am afraid the only way to know for sure is to test the water before and after filtering with peat. It can. Peat moss can act like an ion exchange water softener, removing many minerals and adding organic acids that many soft water fish like.

svkr2k · 01-20-2013, 03:28 PM

Hi Diana, Thanks for the advice.

Is it worth investing in "API FRESHWATER MASTER TEST KIT" and test the groundwater to get an idea on it's properties?

If it is okay (pls suggest any other options you might have), I shall go ahead and purchase it and can provide the details.

svkr2k · 01-20-2013, 03:40 PM

I noticed that "API FRESHWATER MASTER TEST KIT" doesnt have hardness/phosphate/calcium tests unfortunately. Probably, only pH test can give an idea now, i believe.

Diana · 01-21-2013, 02:11 AM

Yes, get the Fresh water master test kit, you will need it for other things. Ammonia, nitrite and nitrate during cycling (do the fishless cycle). pH is helpful, but I depend on GH and TDS to make sure the water is right for the fish.
Get the Hardness test kit, it should come with both GH and KH tests.
A good 'extra' is a TDS meter, available on line for about $20.

Do not worry about phosphate or iron, unless you know your well is high in either of these. Do you have any sort of report about the water already?

SouthernGorilla · 02-01-2013, 10:57 PM

We tested our tap water and it came out very hard. I don't remember the numbers. But it's basically liquid granite. Our plants do just fine. The snails and shrimp are fine. Even the betta and cories are fine. Despite all the warnings about using only distilled water for top-offs and water changes we use regular tap water. Nothing has petrified yet.

01-17-2013, 04:48 PM	#1
svkr2k Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: india Posts: 16	Using Groundwater for freshwater planted aquarium Hi all, I'm hoping to start a 48x12x18 low-tech planted aquarium soon. Can I use the groundwater in my aquarium (during intial setup, cycling and continue to use it henceforth)? FYI, the groundwater in my place is hard, promotes algae growth (i have seen algae building up inside the hose of the washing machine in my home - high phosphate, ammonia/nitrate content?), the vessels that i use to boil the water has white salty deposits throughout the inner surface. Thanks in advance for your ideas.

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01-17-2013, 09:03 PM	#2
lochaber Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 808	It would probably be easier if you could pick some hard-water plants, but that leaves most aquarium plants out. Could also try filtering with peat- it should help bring the pH down some, and lower the hardness. On the upside, you won't have to worry about chlorine/chloramine

01-18-2013, 03:39 PM	#3
svkr2k Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: india Posts: 16	Hi thanks for ideas. Will guppies and platys survive in hard water? So, if i use peat along with the hard water in my place, do you think this could probably solve my problem by reducing pH, hardness?

01-19-2013, 12:34 AM	#4
Diana Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Contra Costa CA Posts: 5,083	Guppies and Platies are hard water fish, it is better for them than soft water. Test the water with all the tests you have, if any. Most aquarium plants are fine in hard water. There are a few specialized plants that really require soft water, but that is a short list. Filtering the water through peat moss may help, but I am afraid the only way to know for sure is to test the water before and after filtering with peat. It can. Peat moss can act like an ion exchange water softener, removing many minerals and adding organic acids that many soft water fish like.

01-20-2013, 03:28 PM	#5
svkr2k Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: india Posts: 16	Hi Diana, Thanks for the advice. Is it worth investing in "API FRESHWATER MASTER TEST KIT" and test the groundwater to get an idea on it's properties? If it is okay (pls suggest any other options you might have), I shall go ahead and purchase it and can provide the details.

01-20-2013, 03:40 PM	#6
svkr2k Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: india Posts: 16	I noticed that "API FRESHWATER MASTER TEST KIT" doesnt have hardness/phosphate/calcium tests unfortunately. Probably, only pH test can give an idea now, i believe.

01-21-2013, 02:11 AM	#7
Diana Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Contra Costa CA Posts: 5,083	Yes, get the Fresh water master test kit, you will need it for other things. Ammonia, nitrite and nitrate during cycling (do the fishless cycle). pH is helpful, but I depend on GH and TDS to make sure the water is right for the fish. Get the Hardness test kit, it should come with both GH and KH tests. A good 'extra' is a TDS meter, available on line for about $20. Do not worry about phosphate or iron, unless you know your well is high in either of these. Do you have any sort of report about the water already?

02-01-2013, 10:57 PM	#8
SouthernGorilla Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Euless, TX Posts: 62	We tested our tap water and it came out very hard. I don't remember the numbers. But it's basically liquid granite. Our plants do just fine. The snails and shrimp are fine. Even the betta and cories are fine. Despite all the warnings about using only distilled water for top-offs and water changes we use regular tap water. Nothing has petrified yet.