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kc7jty
05-18-2011, 11:46 PM
The well water is supposed to be a little towards hard from the middle mark here. Maybe 60% hard.
When I was using the surface water in PA it seemed like just a tablespoon of liquid laundry detergent would make way too much suds. Here I have to use 2 whole measuring caps.

The water here is loaded with calcium, magnesium, and some salts. I only drink it when I'm working in the yard, all dirty, and just take some hand scoops from the outside faucet.

The Glacier Water vending machine at my favorite supermarket gets lots of my change @ 35c/gal.
KG4CGC
05-19-2011, 12:00 AM
Give me a minute. I'll give you a reading from my aquarium test strips.
Hardness: less than 35 GH ppm.
Alkalinity: 80KH ppm.
PH: 6.8
kc7jty
05-19-2011, 01:10 AM
91-154 mg/L

http://www.fcwa.org/water/hardness.htm
NQ6U
05-19-2011, 01:19 AM
Most of the water down here on the Islets of Langerhans comes from the Colorado River, which got it's name ("colored" in Spanish) because of the suspended sediments in it. Not surprisingly, it's about as soft as a chunk of granite.
kc7jty
05-19-2011, 02:55 AM
I spent years of accumulated time in Yuma which gets it's water from the Colorado. It is loaded with chlorine and isn't quite as hard as the well water here.
N9FE
05-19-2011, 04:43 AM
Calcium and iron are the two things here. Some areas on the state you need no softener. Some.. The pipes clog so fast you here em tighten up. We are still very very lucky to live in a water rich state.
W5GA
05-19-2011, 06:05 AM
The water here is usually hard as a rock. One of the things that can be entrained in our water is natural gas, which can make for a pretty exciting fireworks display in the well house if it's not vented properly.
W7XF
05-19-2011, 01:37 PM
The tap water in the Tucson metro meets or exceeds California earthquake standards for structural soundness. Pipes last 5-10 years max. Water heaters last 3-5 years max.
W5GA
05-19-2011, 02:02 PM
Water heaters last 3-5 years max.
It'll last longer if you replace the zinc anode in it every 2-3 years.
W1GUH
05-19-2011, 04:12 PM
Speaking of detergent suds, don't ever, ever, ever put regular sink-type detergent in a dishwasher!
kf0rt
05-19-2011, 04:34 PM
Speaking of detergent suds, don't ever, ever, ever put regular sink-type detergent in a dishwasher!

What happens?
NQ6U
05-19-2011, 04:54 PM
What happens?

Big mess on floor. Don't ask how I know, just be aware that dishwashers are not entirely watertight.
W1GUH
05-19-2011, 11:50 PM
What he said. Ralphs soap suds all over the place, and doesn't get the dishes clean.
KG4CGC
05-20-2011, 01:05 AM
Just use a tablespoonful. That's all it takes.
W1GUH
05-20-2011, 03:40 PM
That's probably true...but I'm not going to even think about trying it after the last disaster!