8 replies to this topic

[Michael the fish fanatic]

Hey, so I have recently been thinking of getting some discus, I don't want to put chemicals, or use a co2 system to lower the ph, and I want to keep them in regular tapwater ( mine is ph 8). I have been reading these posts : http://www.monsterfi...p/t-211489.html, and http://forum.simplyd...p/t-83959.html. Will it work, and how long would it take them to adjust to high ph water?

[Redevilz]

I have heard of a guy breeding them in 8.3.

Would probably be ok as long as they are tank bred and raised... You might have to use chemicals/co2 for a little while and then slowly slow down with it and then get stop because I you do it too suddenly it could upset them.

That's if they have come from very low pH...

[Michael the fish fanatic]

Yeah, maybe use chemicals, then slow down on the addition if chemicals

[aajvcad]

I tried keeping them in perth water. They were not happy at all. As soon as I got a RO filter and slowly started changing the water they changed completely.

All stress bars disappeared.

Before that I tried buffer and moss but water was inconsistent and they didn't like it.

Most lfs told me they keep it around 7ph.

With the ro filter I got it just below 7 with discus trace added.

I only changed water 1x per week and no issues whatsoever. Keeping in mind that my bioload was low. Tank was not overstocked.

Good ro filter will set u back $300ish with expectancy to change cartridges every 6 months. This also depends on your water change. Cartrage replacement $60ish.

Best of luck

[fuggers]

whats your rain water like?

[deliriouz]

I find domesticated strains will tolerate Perth tapwater just fine..at least where I am where the pH is about 7.4. I've been breeding them at ph 6-7.4. PH 8 is probably too high for breeding but have read people who have been successful. Growing out about a 100 juveniles at the moment so the water can't be too bad.

Edited by deliriouz, 15 January 2015 - 12:31 PM.

[aajvcad]

Tap water at 7.4 is not bad. In Stirling its above measurable on high Ph test kit at first. After running air for about an hour it is 8 or slightly above.

[deliriouz]

Get seachem discus buffer to drop the pH. Don't have to waste good water on ro. I buy the big bucket from amazon us...mainly use it on the breeding tanks so it last ages.

[Westie]

You can just put more driftwood in the tank, and peet media in the filter. That will bring the ph down