Do Guppies Prefer Hard or Soft Water?

Every guppy fish lives in water, so it is very important to keep the ideal water parameter. Many new fish keepers have a question do guppies prefer hard or soft water?

– What is the best GH/KH for guppies?

– Is hard water good for guppies?

– How to measure water hardness and ways to adjust it?

Do Guppies Like Hard or Soft Water?

Hard water fish guppies tend to have problems in soft water. Let’s, understand what is water hardness in aquarium?

Water hardness in a fish tank refers to the concentration of dissolved essential minerals like calcium and magnesium.

This concentration depends on the area from where water comes which means the hardness of water may vary from area to area.

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What Water Hardness Do Guppies Like?

Guppies like 6-8 dGH range of water hardness. The reason is hard water contains a good amount of required minerals.

Ideal GH for Guppies

General Hardness (GH) is a measure of the concentration of magnesium and calcium dissolved in water.

GH is important to determine whether water is hard or soft as well as measures the sufficiency of minerals essential for guppies growth and well-being.

Ideal KH for Guppies

Carbonate Hardness (KH) is a measure of the concentration of carbonate and bicarbonate dissolved in water.

KH stops pH fluctuation caused by acid in a fish tank. Hence, it is important to maintain the optimal level of carbonate hardness (KH).

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Why do Guppies Need Hard Water?

After knowing the ideal parameters of water hardness, it is important to know why hard water is important for guppies.

1. The mineral present in hard water helps guppies absorb nutrients and improve metabolism which leads to the overall growth of fish.

2. Water hardness contributes to balancing pH range.

3. Breeders prefer hard water as guppies breed faster, have good quality egg development and healthy fry growth.

4. Hard water enhances guppies’ immune system and can easily fight against diseases.

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How to Measure Water Hardness For Guppies?

It is advisable to check water hardness every week to create a good environment for guppies. Now a days, it is easy to monitor hardness in aquarium water.

There are three methods to measure GH and KH levels:

1. Digital Meter – gives quick and instant test results.

2. Test Strip – just put the strip in tank water twice and match it with the provided color chart.

3. Test Kit – take sample tank water in a test tube, then add the testing solution in it and compare it with a color card.

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How to Raise Water Hardness For Guppies?

If you are worried about soft water for guppies then you can use any of the listed ways to make water hard for guppy fish:

1. Routine Water Change

Water chemistry is important for guppies growth.

Check your water hardness whether it is above 4dGH. Performing a 25% water change every week helps in raising water hardness in a fish tank for guppies.

2. Clean Substrate

You can do weekly substrate cleaning which maintains water hardness and aquarium condition.

3. Alkalinity buffers

You can use an alkalinity buffer to prevent pH spikes and raise water hardness in freshwater guppy tank.

Seachem Alkaline Buffer helps in achieving optimal pH levels without using phosphate which even avoids algae growth and fogginess in guppy fish tank.

This is one of the easy ways to boost water hardness.

4. Dolomite Rock, Aragonite, Limestone and Crushed Coral

To increase KH in your guppy fish aquarium, prepare a mixture of dolomite rock, aragonite, limestone and crushed coral and put it in the substrate.

You should note that this is one of the slow methods of raising the KH as dolomite rock, aragonite, limestone and crushed coral takes time to dissolve in aquarium water.

5. Soda Ash

Soda Ash is sodium carbonate, so don’t get confused by baking soda as it is sodium bicarbonate. Both are different.

Putting a daily small dose of soda ash gives enough time to achieve the desired pH range.

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How to Lower Water Hardness For Guppies?

When your tap water is hard or you are using a planted tank, you need to lower KH which drops the pH level as they both go hand in hand.

1. Acid buffers

Acid buffer is used with alkalinity buffer.

You can use Seachem Alkaline Buffer to lower KH which drops pH. You should use acid buffer in the planted tank and avoid overdosing as it is harmful to guppies.

Read the instructions carefully and follow it.

2. Distilled water

Distilled water has no KH. As some hardness is required for an aquarium, you should take distilled water and tap water in equal proportion.

Before adding water, you should measure water parameters with API Master test kit to achieve the ideal range.

There is a recurring cost every week so suited for a small guppy fish tank.

3. Reverse Osmosis (RO) System/ Deionization (DI) Filter

Reverse Osmosis System is very expensive but in the long run will prove beneficial.

When you are having steady hard tap water all the time, then installing RO/DI is a practical solution. Further, RO/DI water ensures the tank water remains free from any discoloration.

RO/ DI water is pure and clean, so you need to dilute it with tap water.

Before adding this water mixture in the aquarium perform water chemistry test which ensures the optimal water parameters.

4. Indian Almond Leaf (Terminalia Catappa)

The favorite way to reduce KH and pH is Indian Almond Leaves.

Terminalia Catappa is rich in chemicals like tannins and humic acid which helps in lowering KH for guppy fish tanks.

These almond leaves decompose slowly in the tank water, so it will take time to lower water hardness. Hence, it is suggested to perform the frequent water change.

Terminalia Catappa acts as a natural medicine for treating skin diseases like fin rot.

Protip: For every 10 gallon of aquarium water add 1 Indian Almond Leaf to lower water hardness.

5. Peat moss

Peat moss is the best way to reduce water hardness for guppies.

Fill peat moss in a mesh bag then insert it in the water filter. You should measure water quality regularly as peat moss releases tannins which will change aquarium water color.

You must take out peat moss from the fish tank once you achieve ideal water parameters and soon you will see normal water.

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Can Guppies Survive in Soft Water?

No, guppies cannot survive in soft water. Soft water is more acidic and has less amount of minerals like calcium and magnesium.

It is important to note that soft water is not suitable for guppies because they require a higher content of minerals in aquarium water. This is reason why guppies are popularly known as hardy fish.

If guppies are kept in soft water will face below problems:

– Not able to absorb essential nutrients

– Difficulty Breeding

– Weakened Immune System

– Behavioral Changes like inactive, stress, laziness and hiding

– Lack of appetite

– Short Lifespan.

Hence, guppies prefer hard water. So if your tap water is soft then follow above methods to raise water hardness in your fish tank.

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What Fish Can Live in Hard Water?

The fish that can live in hard water are:

– Guppies

– Mollies

– Platies

– Swordtails

– Tetras

The list is exclusive and there are many other freshwater fish that can live in hard water.

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Conclusion

Do Guppies Like Hard or Soft Water? – Guppies prefer to live in hard water as it will help to maintain their good health.

It is suggested to maintain optimal water hardness in your guppy fish tank. You can refer ways to adjust water hardness in this article.

If you have any questions, please mention them in the comment box.

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FAQS

Do Guppies Like Cold Water?

No, guppies do not like cold water. In cold water guppies feel stressed, remain lazy, breed less, inactive, weak immune, slow growth and other health issues.

Do Guppies Like Water Current?

No, guppies do not like water current. In nature, guppies are found in lakes, ponds and rivers with slow flow and moderate current.

Do Guppies Like Planted Tanks?

Yes, guppies like planted tanks but they can live without plants. There are many benefits of having plants in guppy tank such as more hiding spots, enhanced water quality, appeals like natural habitat, absorb harmful chemicals and other wastes.

Happy Guppy Keeping!

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