New at breeding discus

[blesser13]

I have been keeping discus for a while and I would like to get to the next level ‘’Breeding”

I have done many research, but I’m still a beginner and need some advices =). I have a 20 gallon tank and a Pair of discus that I purchased. Here is a list of the equipment that I already have, but please let me know if I’m wrong or something missing:

20 gallon tank, empty only a breeding cone, won’t add anything else easier to clean, also cover the sides glass (white color paper)
Sponge filter to prevent strong water flow
Very low light
RO system to soft water (do I really need this?)
Heater 84-86 F water temp
50% daily water changes
Frozen food: FBW, Brine shrimps, high protein food

Now the part that I don’t really get is the PH, How decrease and keep a PH of 6.2-6.8 with the daily WC?

[Second Hand Pat]

It would be helpful to know your water parameters out of tap (including TDS) to determine if an RO is necessary. Of course you could take your pair (is the pair confirmed as in produced wigglers?) place them in the tank and see what happens. Can always do a slow adjust with RO if needed.

[blesser13]

Ok,

Water parameters, everything is 0 ppm except some for the nitrates about 10 ppm( daily WC 50%). PH is very high 7.9.

[Second Hand Pat]

Any idea what your TDS is? Reason for asking is my Cuipeua X females would eat their eggs until I got the TDS to about 80. Also my GH was 4dGH, KH was 4dKH and PH is 7.4 with the inclusion of about 2/3 RO and 1/3 tap. But everyone's water situation is different and your guys might breed in your tap water so you could try that first.

[blesser13]

what kind of test kit I will need to buy to be able to test my TDS, I know there 1 from API for the GH/KH test.

[Second Hand Pat]

That will work for GH/KH. Do a search for a TDS meter. Search button for the forum is the upper right corner of the browser window.

[blesser13]

So if I understand well, the best to keep a lower TDS is by changing the water, the TDS meter will only show you when you need to WC

[Second Hand Pat]

Actually a common indicator is the level of nitrates in the water to determine when to change water (generally less then 20 ppm but many target < 5 ppm) with discus. To lower the TDS in the tank the TDS of the new water needs to be lower then the TDS in the tank. For example my tap water has a TDS of 233 ppm. If I want to lower the TDS to about 80 I will do a 1/3 tap to 2/3 RO ratio in my WC barrow to target a TDS of 80 of the new water. When lowering the TDS in my main tank I do not lower more then 50 ppm at a time during a WC.

[blesser13]

Ok I get it, do you also use a Electronic digital PH meter?

[Second Hand Pat]

I use the API liquid tests for measuring PH.

[Chad Adams]

20 gallon tank, empty only a breeding cone, won’t add anything else easier to clean, also cover the sides glass (white color paper)
Sponge filter to prevent strong water flow
Very low light
RO system to soft water (do I really need this?)
Heater 84-86 F water temp
50% daily water changes
Frozen food: FBW, Brine shrimps, high protein food
Now the part that I don’t really get is the PH, How decrease and keep a PH of 6.2-6.8 with the daily WC?

I yield to Pat on the Water Chemistry, I use Tap Water.

Lighting may very well depend on what kind of discus you are attempting to breed.

Your Temp is entirely way too high. The higher the temp, the lower the fertilization - Dick Au.

FBW & Brine shrimp are ok for snacks, but I do not feed to conditiion.

HTH,

Chad

[bonginator]

WHat should the temp be for breeding?

[blesser13]

discus breeder told me around 82-84 F, are you planning on breeding? XD

[Chad Adams]

I keep my temp at 81-82

[blesser13]

I have a group of 6 discus for almost 1 year and still no sign of breeding, all females or all males? I read that they start breeding around 2 years old is it true? . My water parameters are fine 50% WC daily, water temp about 84, but PH is high 7.9, tap water from city =(. How I could lower the PH?

[Second Hand Pat]

Blesser, how old were they when you got them and what size were them? Also which strain? Some strains mature later then others.

[blesser13]

Im not really sure, I got them from 2 different LFS, the 2 small "Blue diamond" I got them really young about 2.5'' so, and the 2 Discus "Red stripped pigeon" I got them already around this size, The big blue turk kind I dont have it anymore.
http://youtu.be/vtadMaPKfZ8

And I also have this 2 Discus in quarantine


http://youtu.be/GU_9dtevYZk