Hot Spring vs Hot Spot

[Vanguard]

I think one of the main keys is to know what the hardness level is coming out of the tap.  You may be fine adding the tap water, but you might already have more than enough calcium.  Where I used to live, the water was so soft I had to add a fair amount of calcium to the water.  Where I live now, you can add tap water, pH balancing chemicals and chlorine and you're done.  I'd rather not go with soft water because, to me, it is easier just to go with the tap.

[honeypot]

When he took the sample of water, he only took from inside where the water is softened.   He didn't want a sample from the outside faucets where the water is hard.  He seems to really think that adding the softened water and then treating it is the best way to go 

Perhaps it is easier to add the minerals that softening the water removes than to take away too much of the minerals.

Tomorrow morning the pavers/sand/rocks or whatever arrive.  The plan is to put a layer of pebbles, then a layer of sand then the pavers then more sand in between the pavers.  However, they still have to level the area that has been dug and it is a large area.  I will put some pics out here soon.