Should I do anything to my water?

[remikz]

I recently did a conductivity test on my water..

it came off with a reading of 6 (on a TDS meter like Carol's).


Does this mean I need to add some minerals/trace elements to my water?

The TDS reading from my tank water is 20

but I add a Discus trace element solution to it...




I'm confused now as to what would be good for my discus


please help!


--Ian

[Ardan]

Hi,
What water are you using for water changes? RO, Tap??

[remikz]

it's straight from my tap.


when i add my discus trace i think that takes the tds to 20.

Hi all

If those readings are right it is to low.
The conductivity for Juvenels should be at least 250.
You could add R/O right.

What is you pH, KH and GH ?

[Carol_Roberts]

That does sound like pure RO water. . . are you sure the meter is calibrated correctly? Could your water be that pure? You could test a bottle of mineral water from the store or put a pinch of salt in a cup of water and see what the tds is . . .

[remikz]

The tester is my neighbours (big discus keeper)

We tested:

my water = 20
Tap water = 6
His tank = 260 (He uses R/O and R/O right)



My PH is 6.8-7
My KH 0-50 ppm
My GH 0-50 ppm

I would add some R/O right to get around 250 and then check the KH again. Also I would keep a eye on the pH in case it fluctuates. KH is at around 3 (2.8) DKH which could be ok depending on the bioload and filter options as well as W/C schedule.

hth Ronald

[fcdiscus]

How can I get that water piped to my house? Frank 8)

[Steve_Warner]

Hi all,
Ian, do you live in the "British Amazon"?, 'cause damn that is some good tap! What kind of meter(brand) do you have and does it have different modes of readings(changed with a dial)? Have you calibrated it with the manufacturer's calibration solution?

Steve

[remikz]

I think it's a hanna one, it is calibrated properly..

how do i go about acclimatising my discus to harder water then?

if you want me to use R/O right


--Ian

Well I for one dont want you to do anything.

You must do what YOU think is best for your Discus.
If you decide to add R/O right do so in prepaired water and continuie with W/C. that brings it slowly up. To speed it up a bit you could do 50 % W/C . (if you dont already do that).

hth Ronald

[remikz]

What exactly is R/O right? I mean what is in it? I think that this trace element liquid that i'm using is not to far off it and they seem to be a lot happier with this stuff in making the water a little harder... I've started adding it to the water changes now so i'm adding back the minerals in the water I replace and then some. They don't get as stressed out on the w/c now.


http://www.seachem.com/en_products/p...cus_trace.html

This is the stuff i've been putting in to help.... is it any good or would I need R/O right?

I just want to do whats best for my discus and you people are the experts... Please i'm begging to know what I have to do..


thanks guys


--Ian

[Ardan]

HI,
RO right can get expensive, you can get it at www.drsfostersmith.com or you can add your own minerals.

here is a link
http://forum.simplydiscus.com//index...;threadid=1147

hth

Hi Ian,
Here is another tread about regenerating R/O with a recipe from Joe Selezi.

http://forum.simplydiscus.com//index...;threadid=7285

According to the Kent Marine site the ingredients from R/O right are
Contents: Nearly neutral pH salts of sodium, magnesium, potassium, and calcium with all necessary trace minerals.


Sorry if I sounded a bit harsh.

hth Ronald