major pH drop?

[Naja002]

The ~$300 figure is based on getting from the tap to the tank--with a reasonable level of quality and efficiency.

You can buy a 5-6 stage RODI unit off ebay for probably $100 shipped, but you still have to get the water to the tank. With discus you are going to need an RO holding tank, a pump to get it out of that tank and into the discus tank. Plus tubing/hose, etc. If your household tap pressure is below ~40psi--then you'll want/need a pressure pump (quality=~$130 shipped). By the time you add up the things that you will probably need/want---~$300 is fair.....

[Naja002]

Keep in mind also, that your dad--via the carwash--can probably set you up with better equipment at a cheaper price and deduct the purchase as a business expense.....

[lauraleellbp]

If you're serious about wanting to breed discus you need to build a relationship with a LOCAL breeder- find out what did and did not work for them, especially in regards to water. Some ppl can breed discus in their tap water, but the majority of discus are bred and raised in RO water.

[Naja002]

Originally Posted by Jonnywhoop!

i just checked my pH out of my tap. if you wanna get technical, its 8.69 - 8.72

I think its safe to say that any local breeders where not breeders using that tap water...... Unless they're folks that count a 5% periodic/random hatch rate as "Succesful"! Oh, yeah, they're out there.......

There's just too much TDS in that water to get much, if any eggs to hatch.

But there's always the claim:

Post #5 by Ihavefishwantmore--"I know it is to hard for the eggs to develop, but, what is 180 ppm ?"

Somehow they can never seem to explain it though.......

[david10072]

I think its ur driftwood. Where did u get ur driftwood? My driftwood drops my pH pretty quickly when first time putting it in. Maybe there is dirty stuff in ur driftwood? Check and tell us the result

[Jonnywhoop!]

i honestly have no clue what my driftwood is. i rinsed it and boiled it for a while. its clean.

[Naja002]

Do you know what your Kh is in the tank and the tap?

Did you buy the driftwood or collect it yourself?

[Jonnywhoop!]

i bought the driftwood from ocean aquarium in SF. its a legit shop with great reviews. so yeah

and... my kH is well. i really dont have a test kit. what company should i buy a kH test kit from

[fishsandwitch]

Originally Posted by Naja002

I think its safe to say that any local breeders where not breeders using that tap water...... Unless they're folks that count a 5% periodic/random hatch rate as "Succesful"! Oh, yeah, they're out there.......

There's just too much TDS in that water to get much, if any eggs to hatch.

But there's always the claim:

Post #5 by Ihavefishwantmore--"I know it is to hard for the eggs to develop, but, what is 180 ppm ?"

Somehow they can never seem to explain it though.......

I know a guy that gets more than 70 percent hatch rate in our tap water. it is ph of 8.2 and his discus are extremely hardy

[Carissa]

If I read right that you are not doing water changes, that is likely at least 50% of the pH issue if not the whole problem. Built up waste decomposing in the gravel creates acidic compounds as byproducts. Without water changes and a gravel vac to remove both the compounds and the waste producing them, it will probably be impossible to maintain a stable pH especially if you are trying to go with softer water. I have repeated this over and over in my tanks, I have very soft water with little buffer, but the pH remains stable as long as I'm doing my weekly 25% water changes. Leave it for two or three weeks or more, and the pH goes through the floor. Regular water changes are really necessary for good fish and plant health, not just for pH reasons but for a multitude of other reasons (one other big one being the constantly increasing TDS level as the water evaporates).