If your nitrate are that high out of the tap then you desparately need an RO filter to keep discus happy and healthy. Nitrate are best kept at 10ppm or less to be optimum for discus. Plants help but as always," The solution for pollution is dilution." It really is that straight forward.
Small discus will not be stunted if you buy them fresh from a breeder or importer. They will require feeding 4X day at sizes under 3 inches or they will not grow to their potential full size. So it is fine to by them small if you can ensure the feedings.
I recommend a minimum of two 50% water changes each week.
I have been breeding discus since 1969 so you may take what I say for what its worth. I supply many shops with fine discus within a 259 mile radius. Out West in the rural areas we fish keepers and the shops are necessarily far flung.
Larry Waybright
Small discus will not be stunted if you buy them fresh from a breeder or importer. They will require feeding 4X day at sizes under 3 inches or they will not grow to their potential full size. So it is fine to by them small if you can ensure the feedings.
I recommend a minimum of two 50% water changes each week.
I have been breeding discus since 1969 so you may take what I say for what its worth. I supply many shops with fine discus within a 259 mile radius. Out West in the rural areas we fish keepers and the shops are necessarily far flung.
Larry Waybright
