KH and GH

[Lurch1]

The water when it bypasses the softener has a KH of 12 and GH of 22. When it is softened it has a kh of 12 and GH of 0. When adding water to the cichlid tank should I use the softened water or bypass it?

[bizfromqc]

I'm no cichlid expert but I would guess it depends on what kind of cichlids you're keeping?
Africans, North and Central Americans, South Americans?

I know Africans and some North/Central Americans will prefer water on the harder side while the South Americans (at least Apistogramma) prefer softer water.

My 2 cents.

[jetstream]

The soft water from a water softener is not true soft water. It use salt or sodium to replace calcium and magnesium. You should use water from the bypass and use peat moss or other means instead.

[Lurch1]

My bad, I always think of africans when I say cichlids for some reason. I have an african set up.

[touchofsky]

Use the bypass water, hard water suits them. 

[Lurch1]

roger