[mechanical8dragon]

It's not that my pH is a huge issue. It is on the high end (about 7.6-7.8) but it's mainly because I have very... very hard water. 12 drops on the test kit but for all I know it could be higher than that, but that's as high as the chart goes. My 'buffer' is also pretty high as well, somewhere around 9 drops which means naturally altering my pH via driftwood, etc. is impossible.

I only have a 20g long so I'd only need 20 jugs and at about $0.86 each at walmart that's just a bit under 20$ which is manageable. The only issue would be during water changes and hauling those jugs back from walmart (the target i live right next to only has purified water).

Another issue is... i know distill water lacks beneficial minerals and such which means I'd have to add them back in... but how?

Is purified water better? Would it be safe? Or is there any difference?

Is this just more hassal than it's worth for someone who has no means of transportation other than a bike?

Also my light... as a side question... its 65000k but it's about... a foot in a half above my tank (screwed into top of stand) would it be best to invest in a fixture that I can rest over my tank lower because I've noticed that my realy low plants are dying (not having luck with dwarf hairgrass and crypts and my cardinal) but my anubias and java fern are just fine, but they are also bigger/taller/don't need much light. So I'm wondering if i should lower the light closer to the tank or not

 

[rsskylight04]

For the plants it is important to place the light as close as possible. Light levels (PAR) are much lower at the substrate than at the surface... the light becomes diffused quickly with distance from the source.

Only my opinion, but i wouldn't use distilled water for the very reason you mention- because you have to replace the minerals. I dont know how to do that, but 'im sure the information is available if you search and ask questions here. I would PM the moderators and reference team if you really want to do it.

My water is also very, very, very............hard, and my pH is higher than yours, and i keep a variety of species successfully. I have everything from Angelfish to Gouramis to Loaches, South American cichlids, catfish, Rams, rainbow shark... Soft water species like rams and loaches seem to need a few days to adjust, but i almost never have any problems long-term.
Good luck!

 

[BWG]

The chart does only go up to 12, but honestly it's not necessary at all once you figure out that one drop equals one dGH.

I don't want to offer too much advice without knowing what the hardness is, although based on your stocking I personally wouldn't worry about using 100% R/O. A rapid shift like that would not be good for your fish. Even long term I wouldn't think it necessary to do more than a mix of tap and R/O.

 

[mechanical8dragon]

Well I had planned to slowly change the tank from tap to distilled. Like during a water change maybe half a jug rest water and then every water change just add a bit more each till all I have is distilled. But without knowing how to add nutrients back into it unless using half tap half distilled I wouldn't bother. P:

If it's not needed I won't bother hassling with it.

The lights though I feel I must figure something out but... I don't want to spend 30$ on a tube light case -_-;
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[BWG]

To remineralize water you need something like Kent's R/O Right water conditioner. I've heard of it and similar products, but having never used them can't really tell you much more.

 

[rsskylight04]

... I don't want to spend 30$ on a tube light case -_-;
Posted via Mobile Device

If your good at crafts and have a few tools, you can make a lid out of quality plexiglass. A power jigsaw will be needed to do the cutouts for filter, heater... and just rest the light on the lid. Or try wires to hang the light lower- maybe a bit simpler than making a lid.

 

[mechanical8dragon]

i might try just some chains to loop around it and the stand. I'm not very tool savy. Just have to figure out... where it's screwed to the wood o-o

 

[Austin]

Sounds expensive! I wouldn't bother at 10$ per 50% water change (plus minerals). It's strange that your crypts are doing poorly... They are pretty durable with low light. I guess it depends on the variety.

 

[mechanical8dragon]

yeah they green crypts. But.... i think.. it might have been due to the toxic gass i had going in my substrate even though it wa sless than 2inches thick, I know when i was sucking it up to clean it had some decomposing plant matter in there was was as black as black can be. and most of the roots on my plants were black too. I had to trim off my anubia roots and my amazon sword a bit cus they were turning black too. All i have left now is my anubias my sword, and my java fern P:

I'm going to figure out how to unscrew my ligth fixture and lower it via chains a bit to see if that will help future plants. If I can't well.. guess i just have to hope the new plants will be alright. P: I want to do half my tank with a carpet of dwarf hairgrass so bad.. the urge.... its so great @[email protected]