This article is from the Beginning Fishkeeping FAQ, by Thomas Narten with numerous contributions by others.
You may want to get one of these, but having one is not critical. You
don't need to know the exact hardness level. Knowing whether your
water is ``soft'', ``very soft'', etc. is good enough. Your local fish
store may be able to give you sufficient information. Alternatively,
call your water utility (see the TAPWATER SECTION of this FAQ).
 
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