LOWEST TEMP???

[Elaine_Bryant]

Whats the lowest temp we can keep our discus at? I was trying 82 but I don't think they did as well (adult) Elaine

[t_j]

Adult discus should do fine in 82 degrees.

[Ryan]

I keep mine at 84F. It fluctuates between 82 - 85 depending on w/c and things like that. They seem to be fine.

[billeagan]

81 - 82 should be fine, but I believe the color and activity is better at the 84F+ range.

I notice similiar things in PH. 7.0 is fine, but I notice better color and activity at the 6.4 range.

Not scientific just my eye and impressions.

[architect1]

Yeah I gave my grandma a blue diamond pair and they where doing amazing in my tanks. Then I gave them to her she keeps her tanks at the 70's and well there not as active and one is just black. i thought it was the slim coat fer the babies, or the male change his color. but they eat and do things just not as active.

[Elaine_Bryant]

Thanks everyone, I think I'll leave my adults at 82 (love those digital themometers!) Elaine

[AADiscus]

I would take your tank up to 84. We only keep our breeders at 82 but nothing lower then that.

[FairyDiscus]

I have mind at 86.5 i think i might lower it a little.

[White Worm]

84-85 unless trying to breed, then at 82-83.

[standoyo]

I think the higher the temperature the faster the metabolism> the shorter the lifespan. What do you guys think?
I have a pigeon that's 6 years old and still horny. He's been in air conditioned rooms, planted tanks, that hover at 78-82F. Now he's enjoying a balmy 84.2F. Lol.

[sleonard]

I once put 5 brand new digital thermometers in my tank and recorded 5 different temps! The variance was as much as 2 degrees. I now set my temp to 84 so that I know that it is at least 82. Sometime I use 2 thermometers and take the average.

Scott

[Elaine_Bryant]

2 degrees is quite a difference. I've had my ebo jagers for about 8 years and they no longer hold the temp I set them at. Maybe its better to replace them every so often. I bought the 8.99 digitals at petsmart and realized I have never really read the old ones correctly. Elaine

[ShinShin]

I've experimented with temps (and many other parameters) over time, and have come to the conclusion that, with the exception of treating a few diseases, 82-84F seems to be the optimal temp for discus. I have spawned them successfully in a temp range of 78-90F. I would not attempt to go below 78F or even normally keep them at that low of a temp as a normal enviroment because of stress induced health problems arising, nor would I keep them at the high end of the range either.

Mat

[pcsb23]

I have found over the years that temps below 82f (28c) seems to make the discus more susceptible to disease. I seem to get the best of all worlds when the temps are in the 84f (29c) range, ie activity, colour and vigour.