A Few Discus Questions

[Craig100]

Hello There;
I'm currently converting one of my tanks into a discus tank, I have bought a RO unit, and finally finished filling the tank with RO water, I just have a couple of questions from here:

1. My tap water has a pH of 7.4, however somehow(apparently this is quite unusual), the RO unit has reduced the pH down to 6.4/6.6, which is ideal...I had already purchased some pH6.5 powder to reduce the pH, but I guess my question is does that pH reduction sound right/normal with just a RO unit(I have tested several times using the API liquid test kit)?

2. I know I have to add essential minerals back into the water now to increase the hardness, I have a power called equilibrium. What would be the ideal hardness to take the tank upto? I was thinking around 3dH?

3. I plan to add various corys and tetras to begin with and make sure the filter is still doing its job properly(i've got it added to another tank at the moment to keep the bacteria alive). My question here is related to the acclimatisation process, if i get fish that are from a less acidic, harder water...is it just a case of increasing the time used for acclimatisation? - to ensure the fish survive the difference in water parameters.

Thanks in advance,
Craig.

 

[cheesy feet]

Hello There;
I'm currently converting one of my tanks into a discus tank, I have bought a RO unit, and finally finished filling the tank with RO water, I just have a couple of questions from here:

1. My tap water has a pH of 7.4, however somehow(apparently this is quite unusual), the RO unit has reduced the pH down to 6.4/6.6, which is ideal...I had already purchased some pH6.5 powder to reduce the pH, but I guess my question is does that pH reduction sound right/normal with just a RO unit(I have tested several times using the API liquid test kit)?

2. I know I have to add essential minerals back into the water now to increase the hardness, I have a power called equilibrium. What would be the ideal hardness to take the tank upto? I was thinking around 3dH?

3. I plan to add various corys and tetras to begin with and make sure the filter is still doing its job properly(i've got it added to another tank at the moment to keep the bacteria alive). My question here is related to the acclimatisation process, if i get fish that are from a less acidic, harder water...is it just a case of increasing the time used for acclimatisation? - to ensure the fish survive the difference in water parameters.

Thanks in advance,
Craig.

1. From what I understand you add chemicals back to the water to create the RO with a pH of 7.Do not use the buffers to reduce the tanks pH, it's more hassle then it's worth.
2. 3 dH sounds perfect
3. Most breeders, which will be the best place to get discus from raise there discus in a pH of 7.0, give or take.Just do the float method with them (for around 20 mins), to slowly adjust the temp and water conditions.Although this is not proven to actually do what it's supposed to do it is still probably the best thing to do with discus.

One thing though your tap water pH is 7.4 , if it were me I would just add a few bits of bog wood and maybe peat to the filter and your pH would be perfect.

29c seems to be the best temp to keep discus at Ime.Also most cory's prefer lower temps so be careful to what ones you get.

 

[kev_kb]

You do not need to chemicals to alter the ph, they should be avoided.

RO water is almost pure water and will not support aquatic life, you need to add minerals to it. You can do this two ways, one using a powder such as you have purchased and or the other is adding a percentage of normal tap water. For example if you use 1/3 tap and 2/3 RO water you have water that is 1/3 as hard as tap water.

3dh is good for breeding, but you could easily go higher. Discus will love the soft water but remember to do frequent partial water changes so you don't get a ph crash. The use of peat is not need with RO water and in my experience bog wood rarely changes the ph any worthwile amount.

The acclimatisation process if very important IMO. For discus I normally try and take 2-3 hours if they are not showing signs of stress. I float the bag and remove bag water and insert tank water with a turkey baster periodically. If you have the ability setting up another tank or container and dripping in tank water would be the best approach.

Good luck.

 

[cheesy feet]

You do not need to chemicals to alter the ph, they should be avoided.

RO water is almost pure water and will not support aquatic life, you need to add minerals to it. You can do this two ways, one using a powder such as you have purchased and or the other is adding a percentage of normal tap water. For example if you use 1/3 tap and 2/3 RO water you have water that is 1/3 as hard as tap water.

3dh is good for breeding, but you could easily go higher. Discus will love the soft water but remember to do frequent partial water changes so you don't get a ph crash. The use of peat is not need with RO water and in my experience bog wood rarely changes the ph any worthwile amount.

Good luck.

I'm so dumb, I got mixed up with the adding minerals back to RO water and adding chemicals, then underneath I said do not use them :stupid: .I forgot you can add tapwater to change the pH/dH etc to the level desired

Yup, as I said if it were me I would just add peat to the filter and add bogwood or mopani to lower the pH and not bother with an RO unit.

 

[Don Trinko]

There is so little in ro water that the chemicals that you use to test the PH will effect the reading. Pure water (ro is close) is 7.0. After you add your tap water or chemicals to the ro then you can get an acurate reading. Don T.

 

[beechey]

serbi like 30 deg