Just started a tank of tetras and have been reading that they do better in softer water. I live in a city that gets well water that can be 16-27 dGH. It turns all my white clothes orangey-brown, too ftr. I have a water softener, but also read that the sodium can mess with the tank cycle. I saw the softener pillows, but it sounds like they do pretty much the same thing as a normal softener and also add sodium. I'm a buy-once cry-once kind of person, so I'm thinking I'll get a low-output RO filter and then use 1 part tap water to three parts RO water for the tank, to leave a few minerals but effectively quarter the hardness.
Is this a sound plan? Are there better less expensive ideas? My pH is pretty neutral so I figured I'd leave it there and call it good, but should I be looking to lower it a bit as well? Thanks for any help.