Hardness?

[AquatiCreations]

Hey guys, I saw the stickies on PH and whatnot but I didn't find anything mentioning hardness. What is the basic rule of thumb about discus and hardness?

I apologize if this question has been asked a million times before.

Thanks-
Mark

[Chad Hughes]

Mark,

Domestic discus can adjust to just about any hardness. You just have to do it slowly. Breeding is a different story all togehter.

Best wishes!

[AquatiCreations]

Thanks chad,

I will be getting adults, I had heard that they prefer softer water, and that the harder end was used for growing out juvie's.

[Chad Hughes]

If your discus are coming from a soft water tank, then you should start with soft water and work your way towards your tap water. The reason that I say this is that your tap water is your source for water changes. If your discus can live in your tap water then you are lucky! You'll have less to deal with. If your water is just way too hard (mine is) then you'll have to get in to RO and mixing. My tap water is well over 600 ppm TDS. I breed too, so I have to use RO and tap mixed. With 30 gallons of pure ro water (0 ppm TDS) I can add on gallon of my tap water and instantly have 30 gallons of 70 ppm breeding water. I add 2 gallons of tap to 30 gallons of RO to get grow out water. Since I am already using RO I use a mix for juvies as well.

Have yuo tested your tap water? What are you dealing with?

Best wishes!

[AquatiCreations]

I haven't tested yet (gotta get a test kit), but i know we have relatively hard water, Florida basicly sits on a big bed of limestone!

[Chad Hughes]

Yeah, I'd test just to see. You may just have a lot of KH and no GH. Your Ph might read high, but your GH reading will be theone to really watch. Post your findings when you get em!

Best wishes!

[Goki27]

hmm I know this is lil off the subject I live in Florida s well, I just tested my water and the GH reads 300ppm?! and my KH read 120ppm do i need an RO unit?

[Chad Hughes]

hmm I know this is lil off the subject I live in Florida s well, I just tested my water and the GH reads 300ppm?! and my KH read 120ppm do i need an RO unit?

What are you trying to do? Raise/grow out or breed?

[Goki27]

raise and grow out, will get them around 2 to 3 inch 6 on a 55
Thanks

[Chad Hughes]

You should be good to go!

Best wishes!

[Goki27]

nice!,
thanks for the info Chad
you rock!

[Chad Hughes]

I try! ;)

[AquatiCreations]

Hey guys,

I discovered today that the water that the dealer uses is well water(extremely hard obviously). Should I use tap water and then slowly bring down the PH,and hardness by using sphagnum moss?

Thanks-
Mark

[Elite Aquaria]

I haven't tested yet (gotta get a test kit), but i know we have relatively hard water, Florida basicly sits on a big bed of limestone!


Hey guys,

I discovered today that the water that the dealer uses is well water(extremely hard obviously). Should I use tap water and then slowly bring down the PH,and hardness by using sphagnum moss?

Thanks-
Mark

Mark,

I live in South Florida and I have relatively soft water...My City water comes out of the tap at 230-260 uS. There is little Calcium in the water so my PH drops after 3 days if I do not use Crushed Coral.

Where in Florida do you live and are you using City or Well water for your discus?

[AquatiCreations]

I live in central florida,(Plant City). I use city water,but I do get Hard water stains frequently,(e.g. Shower,sinks etc.).

[Elite Aquaria]

Wow another neighbor. I get shower stains also...you need to check the hardness with a test kit or buy a meter if you are serious...Good luck. Call me if you need help with anything.

[AquatiCreations]

Thanks Dan,will Do!

I know I need a test kit,building a huge stand is taking up the funds, lol.