Unsuccessful pair

[LizStreithorst]

I'm the friend who started using the tea on Pat's recommendation. I can't say for sure that it was the tea that did the trick, but I can tell that the fish like it and I've finally had a couple of successful spawns. At first I added it to the tanks of the recalcitrant pairs. Today I started adding it to my water storage containers. Now all the fish will share in the joy.

[modealings]

Thanks yea with my RO a TDS of 15 is about as low as I can go.

[modealings]

The Meth blue would only be of use if there was an issue with fungus. The eggs turning white means they aren't fertile.

Yea this was my thinking as well. Eggs are just pure white, no stringy white appearance evident w fungus. Now my question is why aren't they fertile? If they truly are male and female seems like nothing more to do besides keeping up w a good beefheart mix, water changes, and time.

[modealings]

I'm the friend who started using the tea on Pat's recommendation. I can't say for sure that it was the tea that did the trick, but I can tell that the fish like it and I've finally had a couple of successful spawns. At first I added it to the tanks of the recalcitrant pairs. Today I started adding it to my water storage containers. Now all the fish will share in the joy.

Thanks Liz. So you had pairs that weren't producing fertile eggs at all and the only change was rooibos tea and now they're fertile?

It was actually on sale at the grocery store the other day so I figured I'd give it a shot. Certainly not expecting miracles but worth a try. I'll keep up w it for a few weeks and see if I can notice a difference.

[warblad79]

rooibos tea helps with hatching process and lowering the PH. I used RO/Tap with Black water extract with great success

[LizStreithorst]

Pretty much. I have one pair out of three that now produce kids. If I were you, I'd give it more than a few weeks. Change doesn't happen overnight. Buy a pound from the place Pat linked to.

[Second Hand Pat]

Here is where I get mine https://www.amazon.com/Davidsons-Tea...ds=rooibos+tea. I also use it for acclimating new discus and the tiny altum babies. I learned about on an angelfish forum and using it with altum angels. The tea is say of have a number of useful benefits with fish.
Pat

[RogueDiscus]

You seem to be doing all the right things, so I'm just thinking of possibilities, problem solving:
Young male
2 females
infertile male
have you checked your water chemistry? no2, no3, ammonia (forgot that one NH...)
hardness, want low tds
turbulence? too much flow

?

[LizStreithorst]

You seem to be doing all the right things, so I'm just thinking of possibilities, problem solving:
Young male
2 females
infertile male
have you checked your water chemistry? no2, no3, ammonia (forgot that one NH...)
hardness, want low tds
turbulence? too much flow

?

This is a proven pair that he is working with. His water sounds fine. I suppose turbulence could be a problem but if he has a reasonable tank it should not be.

I feel this guy's pain. I know what it's like to have fish that should be fertile and are not. You change things that should not be the problem but might be before you ask for help if you're like me. If like me, when you're ready to throw your hand up in defeat, you suck it up and ask someone you trust for advice. When I get what seems like quack advice from a serious Discus person I take it.

We will never know the benefits of the tea, if any. Nobody will ever do a controlled experiment on the tea and Discus. I can't vouch for it because I still have two pairs that continue to frustrate me, but I can tell that all my fish like it so I am now putting it in 700 gallons of water storage containers. I have had two successful spawns from one of the three pairs that have given me fits. The two other pairs continue to frustrate me. I'll keep using it for 6 months.

[RogueDiscus]

Hope nobody was thinking I was trying to down play the tea. I have no experience with it, but can totally imagine it's effect. Just seems like a tough case and was trying to think of options.
Steve

[modealings]

You seem to be doing all the right things, so I'm just thinking of possibilities, problem solving:
Young male
2 females
infertile male
have you checked your water chemistry? no2, no3, ammonia (forgot that one NH...)
hardness, want low tds
turbulence? too much flow

?

Yea at this point I am thinking either young male or just infertile. They are in a BB 20 gal with just a sponge filter so I doubt it's turbulence. (Although I'm starting not to like the 20s. 29s seem like a better size). As far as the water chemistry, I'm doing 90-100% daily wc's and my tap has low nitrates so I never check that anymore.

[modealings]

This is a proven pair that he is working with. His water sounds fine. I suppose turbulence could be a problem but if he has a reasonable tank it should not be.

I feel this guy's pain. I know what it's like to have fish that should be fertile and are not. You change things that should not be the problem but might be before you ask for help if you're like me. If like me, when you're ready to throw your hand up in defeat, you suck it up and ask someone you trust for advice. When I get what seems like quack advice from a serious Discus person I take it.

We will never know the benefits of the tea, if any. Nobody will ever do a controlled experiment on the tea and Discus. I can't vouch for it because I still have two pairs that continue to frustrate me, but I can tell that all my fish like it so I am now putting it in 700 gallons of water storage containers. I have had two successful spawns from one of the three pairs that have given me fits. The two other pairs continue to frustrate me. I'll keep using it for 6 months.

Thanks Liz. I do have to admit that I'm a little skeptical of the tea making a big difference but after 2 months of weekly batches turning white I'm willing to try whatever you pros recommend. It's frustrating in that I have 2 pairs - the other will have a great hatch rate at 200-300 TDS. Unfortunately they like to eat their fry and have recently gone on a break from laying at all.

I will keep up with the tea and standard maintenance and see how things go.

[Larry Bugg]

I think it helps to prevent the fungus from forming on the eggs. I have no documentation on this but it is good for the fish and it is fairly cheap.
Pat

Since you are putting it in a media bag I'm assuming it last during many daily water changes. How long will a bag full last doing daily water changes? I'm thinking about buying some and trying it.

[Second Hand Pat]

Since you are putting it in a media bag I'm assuming it last during many daily water changes. How long will a bag full last doing daily water changes? I'm thinking about buying some and trying it.

It is good for a couple days Larry. In a 40 breeder I add a couple tablespoons every other day or so.
Pat

[modealings]

While I waited on the bulk order I found the individual bags on sale at the grocery store. Just been using one after every other water change in the 20gal. No idea if that's enough but it's easy to do.