Habitat - Indoor :: Testing water ( GH and KH )

[talal]

What are symptoms of hard water? does using carbon make your water softer/harder? Also what is the best test kit to check your water parameters GH and KH. Thanks

[steve]

Hard water is easy to spot visually. You'll probably notice it around your bathroom first... bathtub and faucets would show it. API generally makes the best kits.

[VeipaCray]

I think API makes the best bang for the buck kits. If you want the best kits (expensive) salifert is your brand.

Info on hard water:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_water

Get a free water test strip:
http://www.mortonsalt.com/for-your-home ... your-water

[devilduck]

Check your cities website too, they may publish yearly reports on your water. With the exception of expense and hassle of going RO there not much you can do about hard water.

[talal]

thx veipa and steve I will get the API kit then.

devilduck, I see. What are your views on distilled water?

[devilduck]

In Chicago, our water is pretty much liquid rock its chimes in at around 280 GH. Other than the stains on the tank glass theres not much effect on the turtle.