If you want to keep a smaller soft-water tank, this is an inexpensive way to do it.

[Texasmom6]

H-E-B has the Primo water machines where you can buy water for 35 cents a gallon, so 25% water change is still not that expensive.

I have a 37 gallon tank, and want to keep SA cichlids, so I'm going to see if I can keep these fish at 50% tap water and 50% Primo water. (Sugar Land water is very hard.) Tank water won't be as hard, and I should be able to keep a fairly stable ph going (not to mention my filtration system).

So far, my little GBR is looking gorgeous!

ETA - Primo uses reverse osmosis to filter the water.

[mnemenoi]

Definitely a good deal! I ended up stocking distilled water, but this is far cheaper in the long run for sure. definitely update with your parameters after using a 50/50 mix to give everyone an idea what even that amount will do to their parameters.

[Texasmom6]

I will. I started with 100% tap water, and am making 20% water changes using 50/50, so it's going to take a few weeks. My little GBR is doing great, but I believe his long term health will benefit from the 50% reverse osmosis water, and I want more to get 3 more. :)

My husband and I have decided that we're each going to keep a three gallon jug in our car, so we'll always have a bottle ready for filling. You can also get the 5 gallon jugs, but that's just too heavy for me to handle once filled. :(

[mnemenoi]

Yeah they can be heavy at that size

[Roshan8768]

Tell me about it lol... I bought four 6 gallon jugs to buy my saltwater in. All kinds of fun moving those @ over 50 lbs. a piece

[Texasmom6]

Tell me about it lol... I bought four 6 gallon jugs to buy my saltwater in. All kinds of fun moving those @ over 50 lbs. a piece

LOL I think I wouldn't have fish for very long!