Fresh water 101

scottdwh said:
Where do you want to keep your ph, gh, and kh at in a fresh water tank? I also have a water softener, is that a good thing or a bad thing?
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Ph, gh, and kh question: depends on the type of fish.

Water softener question: depends on the method used to soften the water, I believe that some water softeners add salt to the water, which will actually raise either your gh or your kh (not sure which). Anyone want to verify?
 
scottdwh said:
I thought this fresh water stuff was supposed to be easier than salt! :nilly:
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It is as hard or as easy as you want it.

Just buy some plants, fish and throw them in, you will probably be just fine, as long as you don' get super finicky fish.

If you want to go high tech, like in your pictures, that is the fresh water equivalent of a reef tank, complete with frags and everything!

Personally I think softened water is bad, as generally it is adding stuff to the water, not removing it. I would try and get water from before the softener to use for the tank, and use straight tap, or mix 50/50 with ro.

That's my 2 cents, should be a nice tank once you are done!
 
scottdwh said:
I thought this fresh water stuff was supposed to be easier than salt! :nilly:
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Freshwater unplanted is very easy. The fish do just fine with a little food and regular water changes with reasonable water. You don't even need a light. If you go coldwater all you need is a filter. My 125 gallon goldfish tank is extremely easy to care for; Feed the fish daily, change the water weekly, clean the filter monthly... done.

But when you add the silly little plants, then it all gets more complex. I spend a couple of hours every week on my two 10 and one 15 gallon planted tanks. I'm always messing with them.

FYI. I take care of several greenhouses at work. While I was learning how to grow plants in the greenhouse I lost 4 cycles in 2.5 years (2 cycles per year). There is a very big learning curve figuring out what the plants need and when. Eventually you get so you know what they need with just a glance.

Those beautiful examples that you posted will probably take you several years to accomplish (with several failures). If it takes you less than that of course most of us will hate you.

When you do get them to look really good it is worth it. One of my 10 gallon tanks is just now starting to look like I want it to. I've only had it going for 5 months now too. The 15 gallon is mediocre, and the other 10 gallon my 5 year old son says "oh yucky, It's messy." Kids can be so cruel.
 
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