Water Conditions

[SensesFail]

Ok so my tank is still cycling but I'm getting all the research done still! I bought a new ph test kit and my tank water seems high so I tested straight from the tap and it gives a reading of 7.0 so I expect this to rise once it's left 24 hrs details below

Tap water Ph = 7.0 (initial reading has not been left yet for 24 hrs)
Kh = 8 (8*10= 80)
Gh = 8 (8*20=160)
(I have the overall aim of keeping discus)
What measures should I be thinking of to lower the Ph? I suspect it will rise to over 8 once left? What is the most effective way of lowering with no fluctuations once low? Is the Gh and Kh ok.

Some people mentioned peat pellets? How many would you add if used and how effective are they? Does it take long to sort the ph time wise or is it like cycling can take months? Any recommendations would be good. I have posts about discus but this is the current problem.

Many thanks

 

[walkers101]

most discus are now bred in local tap water or ro water so try and get some near to you and ask

i have hapily kept over 10 discus in normal tap water at 7.0 and i know others have

 

[SensesFail]

most discus are now bred in local tap water or ro water so try and get some near to you and ask

i have hapily kept over 10 discus in normal tap water at 7.0 and i know others have

RO unit wise what is the best? i mean what would you do fill the whole tank with RO water test it and see what the outcome is or would you mix the ro water with your tap water? i plan on changing 50 litres everyother day in the tank. any sugegstions on a good RO unit that will handle 50litres every other day?

cheers guys appriciated as ever

 

[mattlee]

what size tank is it?

there is no need for RO water just acclimatise them very very slowly and they should be fine with the possible exception of wild caught fish. if you do go for RO then its pure water so trace elements will need to be added for the health of the fish. mt discus were kept in a pH of 7.6-7.8 and lived perfectly happy.

there are a lot of myths surrounding discus that really are nothing to worry about. they do need very regular water changes and a good diet and are not really an ideal beginers fish but they are 100% not as difficult to keep as the myths state. dont buy discus from lfs as they are normelly small expensive and in a bad state. try to find a local breeder or specialists. by specialists i dont mean a shop claiming to be specialists but actual specialist that sell only discus, you will get better healthier fish from these people. also go for the biggest you can afford as they seem to adaspt to change better and are easier to care for than very small fish.

 

[snowflake311]

If it is tank raised don't worry. Mine are in water that's 7.3ph and it some times drops but my guys are happy and my pair spawns all the time.

It's more important to keep the water extra clean. 25% Wc everyday or 50% every other day is best.

 

[SensesFail]

what size tank is it?

there is no need for RO water just acclimatise them very very slowly and they should be fine with the possible exception of wild caught fish. if you do go for RO then its pure water so trace elements will need to be added for the health of the fish. mt discus were kept in a pH of 7.6-7.8 and lived perfectly happy.

there are a lot of myths surrounding discus that really are nothing to worry about. they do need very regular water changes and a good diet and are not really an ideal beginers fish but they are 100% not as difficult to keep as the myths state. dont buy discus from lfs as they are normelly small expensive and in a bad state. try to find a local breeder or specialists. by specialists i dont mean a shop claiming to be specialists but actual specialist that sell only discus, you will get better healthier fish from these people. also go for the biggest you can afford as they seem to adaspt to change better and are easier to care for than very small fish.

It's 190 litres I was planning on getting 4 discus with some small fish like tetras and cories. I understand discus need 50litres each but I mentioned it on a post within this section and people were saying I should get away with 4 just. But then discus should be in groups of 6 which I certainly can't do. I'll test the tap water once it hits 24hrs hopefully it won't be 8 or over