You'll only know the answer to that when you start stocking the tank. You will require to lower the nitrAtes to around 5-10ppm
Can I get a bottom line on Discus?
- Thread starter sledge760
- Start date
Nitrates have always been a struggle for me. I know I will have to get them down. I will have to start using my ro/di unit again.DasArab;1445791; said:
Keeping your PH low is a myth. My Discus are happier now that I stopped using chemicals to lower it and just keep it consistent!!! I use tap water.
My Ph is running from 7.7-7.9 and I can see no difference except they do seem happier without the chemicals. But I will stress keep it consistent.
They also have no problem with water current, I have a canister with a spray bar and two power sweeps going and they don't seem to mind and they even seem to enjoy playing in the current.
As far as water changes, I do 50-60% every other day or so. Just watch your fish. If you see a big difference - Happier fish after a WC then adjust accordingly.
Ray
My Ph is running from 7.7-7.9 and I can see no difference except they do seem happier without the chemicals. But I will stress keep it consistent.
They also have no problem with water current, I have a canister with a spray bar and two power sweeps going and they don't seem to mind and they even seem to enjoy playing in the current.
As far as water changes, I do 50-60% every other day or so. Just watch your fish. If you see a big difference - Happier fish after a WC then adjust accordingly.
Ray
Wow. 7.7-7.9. That is what my Africans are at now. I can still bring my water down to around 7.2 which is what my tap is. Actually when I had a SW set up I would mix 1/2 tap and 1/2 ro/di. I may do this to bring the ph to around 6.8-7.0. I do not need the powerheads. There is a plenty of current from the 2x fx5's. These I need. I can keep the water consistent.2sybs;1446168; said:
The only time I've heard that you need lower PH is for breeding and even then there seems to be some controversy. I believe the less you add to your water the better.
The only thing I add to the water is Prime to remove chlorine.
The only thing I add to the water is Prime to remove chlorine.
I agree 100% with not using additives. They do nothing but pollute the water in the long run. Prime is all I use for the water I add during water changes.2sybs;1446334; said:
2sybs;1446168; said:
Agreed. However this is because the fish in shops these days are so far gone from their wild ancesters that its not so much an issue. Its much better to match your PH with a Breeders/suppliers PH.
sledge760;1442986; said:
Daily approx 10 usg in a 55 usg tank
ziggy2;1446809; said:
If you have an RO/DI unit you may as well use it, the 50/50 mix with tap water seem to be the general way to go. By that I mean if you post that that is what you do you will get less people jumping up and down saying you need to do this and you need to do that, you can't do this, you can't do that.
No offense meant to the poster. You'll see what I mean in the conclusion
Discus advise is very difficult to come by because of the history of discus keeping, 20 years ago owners would drink their own tank water to 'show off' how good a quality it is and how perfect it is for the fish, normally after a 80%-90% water change.
These days a lot of fish are tank bred in various conditions as over the years they have slowly become a more main stream fish therefore a lot more hardy and less likely to have problems.
I have had Discus for a while now and you'll read some bad stories that I've posted recently after over a year or so of bliss with no problems.
I use ro water for the fish, some people here use tap water with x Ph that according to discus folklore would kill a fish on contact.
The best advise I've ever come across with these fish is:
Find good quality fish/breeder/dealer
Find out what they are kept in
Match what they are kept in
= Still good quality fish maintained in an environment that the good quality fish are happy in
I could go on for ever stating you shouldn't keep discus with this or that parameters, Wlydfya's tank ph swings still gives me nightmares but it works and that its the main thing. My fish were born and raised in ro water therefore that's what I keep them in, that's what normally works for me. Wlydfya's tank works with massive daily fluctuations that what works for him.
