I have my 2 shrimp tanks all setup now, trying to cycle the water in them using Tetra Aquasafe and Interpet Filter Start.
I'm trying to use my tap water but as expected here in the south of England the water is very hard, so hard my readings with test strips now are off the chart maximum color saturation.
I've now even tried mixing 50% of my smaller tank with water collected in a rain barrel but the reading is still off the chart.
From the research I've done I think this is the last obstacle to overcome along with a complete cycle to keep shrimp (CRS/Sulawesi) and a few live plants (Anubis Nana, Vallisneria, Java Moss) succesfully.
If this is the case what would be the best way to treat my water?
Peat, softener tablets?
I'd really appreciate some advice, I very much want to be admiring the water more than playing with it soon.
