Nhamunda Heckels, New Group

[damian_ireland]

beautiful fish. can you tell me a bit more about your water ?

[bonghapster]

beautiful group.

[Discus Origins]

beautiful fish. can you tell me a bit more about your water ?

I keep them in pure RO water and just let the biological filtration take down the pH. I add Kent Discus Essentials back to the water and Blackwater Expert for tannins. My water stabilizes at pH of 4.8 and GH of 20ppm.

[damian_ireland]

I keep them in pure RO water and just let the biological filtration take down the pH. I add Kent Discus Essentials back to the water and Blackwater Expert for tannins. My water stabilizes at pH of 4.8 and GH of 20ppm.

wow... 20ppm.. I am currently using RO water with Preis Discus Minerals. My pH is about 5 and my TDS of 80.

[Discus Origins]

Well I also have DI on my RO, my product water comes out at 0ppm. That is the most important measurement, remember adding minerals will raise your ppm but 80ppm reconstituted is very good.

[damian_ireland]

my RO is 0 also but I have been told that to avoid the possibility of a pH crash it is best to keep tds over 50.

[Discus Origins]

Is there a possibility, yes. Is it reality, no. Unless you are trying to lower the ph chemically the water is not going to go lower than 4.0 on it's own, it's almost chemically impossible. With scheduled water changes using just RO I've never had a tank go below 4, now I have added muriatic acid and killed a whole tank when it dropped to 2.0 from 6.0 overnight.

Get yourself a digital ph meter and monitor the tank. You'll be surprised how stable your ph will stay above 4 and doesn't drop below that.

[damian_ireland]

Is there a possibility, yes. Is it reality, no. Unless you are trying to lower the ph chemically the water is not going to go lower than 4.0 on it's own, it's almost chemically impossible. With scheduled water changes using just RO I've never had a tank go below 4, now I have added muriatic acid and killed a whole tank when it dropped to 2.0 from 6.0 overnight.

Get yourself a digital ph meter and monitor the tank. You'll be surprised how stable your ph will stay above 4 and doesn't drop below that.

I had a pH meter and thought it was rubbish. I test my pH twice weekly with liquid tests when doing my water changes. I do 30% twice a week

[Discus Origins]

I had a pH meter and thought it was rubbish. I test my pH twice weekly with liquid tests when doing my water changes. I do 30% twice a week

Liquid tests are fine for anything between 6-9.0, I'd like to see an accurate one that can differentiate between 4.0-5.0 or better yet 'trust' a color change in that range.

[Gajowa]

This heckels are absolute stunners !!! Good luck with them

[damian_ireland]

Liquid tests are fine for anything between 6-9.0, I'd like to see an accurate one that can differentiate between 4.0-5.0 or better yet 'trust' a color change in that range.

can you recommend a good metre?
I was thinking of getting a multi one. like this
http://cgi.ebay.ie/pH-C-ORP-EC-CF-TD...item35b164eea2

[Discus Origins]

That one looks just fine....no matter what brand they will need to be calibrated prior to use and every so often to stay accurate. I personally use a Pinpoint Ph monitor, not the best or most expensive, just one that I happened to find first.

[jimg]

I have many meters and testers i'm one of those people who has to have the correct reading from a meter. I had $350.00 down to $20.00 meters the best i have is this http://search.yahoo.com/r/_ylt=A0oG7...-/300368907586 when I need ph test I use api drops.
If really want to rely on ph I would get a milwaukee mw102 eseasongear on ebay is good.