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If you cycle the tank before adding fish and use bottled reverse osmosis water, you’ll be fine. The water will have a pH of about 7.5 – 8.0 for the first 2 months and will then drop to about 7.0 – 7.8 after 2-3 months. Don’t use tap water as your primary source with live sand in a freshwater tank until the tank is cycled.
