Does Wood Soften Water / How Do I Soften Water?

How do I soften water?
Is it true that wood (driftwood ext) softens water?

 

Driftwood releases tannins into the water which do soften the water. Which is why fish that come from the amazon like soft water because of all the trees and leaves that release the tannins. Never use any Ph down items, it does nothing and is a waste of your money.

 

Use almond leaves and alder cones, too--they're full of tannins!

 

The easiest way is probably just using DECAFFEINATED tea bags. Just seep them in your tank or filter. Coconut shells work as well and provide shelter. Peat is how it's usually done but on here you'll hear that it's not a sustainable resource but I mean every garage in middle America has a huge compressed bag of peat sitting there so why not use it. I'm not suggesting you contribute to the peat moss cultivation economy. There's really no need once you find some it's totally reusable. I swap out old dried bags of peat regularly. The used ones aren't as good but still you can stretch it. Like reusing teabags. Tannins are also beneficial for boosting immune system health against things like fungus infections etc

 

The easiest way is probably just using DECAFFEINATED tea bags. Just seep them in your tank or filter. Coconut shells work as well and provide shelter. Peat is how it's usually done but on here you'll hear that it's not a sustainable resource but I mean every garage in middle America has a huge compressed bag of peat sitting there so why not use it. I'm not suggesting you contribute to the peat moss cultivation economy. There's really no need once you find some it's totally reusable. I swap out old dried bags of peat regularly. The used ones aren't as good but still you can stretch it. Like reusing teabags. Tannins are also beneficial for boosting immune system health against things like fungus infections etc

I thought you have to boil your wood before you put it in the tank (from petco) to release tannins so they don't hurt your fish..... is this not true then lol....

 

Ppl don't like the look of tannins so they boil them out and soak them out but it's not what's best for the fish. I prefer the natural look of tannins anyway.

 

Why do you need to soften your water?

 

If there are fish already in there don't touch the pH. It can shock the fish and kill them. If here is nothing in the tankand you want to speed up the lowering of pH, distilled white vinegar can help if you can stand the smell

 

Why do you need to soften your water?

I'm interested as well. Do you have hard tap water? Are you on city or well water?

 

Very hard water area (London), and looking to keep Neon Tetra species only tank. I understnad that they like softer water.

There is nothing in the tank (exept plants) yet.

 

But do boil the wood for a few minutes to get rid of any foreign things from getting into your tank.