dlwn88
Aquarium Advice Activist
So,
I recently setup a 75g freshwater tank about two weeks ago that’s currently cycling. I’ve had this plan to include a combination of Central American cichlids such as a Blue Acara, Firemouth, and most likely a green or gold Severum as well.
BUT…
I recently purchased Aquarium magazine and read the article on Discus and I’m hooked. I’m still not sure yet if I’m going to do it but I’m considering it. Patience is hard when cycling and I’ve found doing a lot of research and reading is helping out a lot!
Most articles I’ve read on the internet say it’s not as hard as everyone claims it is, just like the magazine, and everything I’ve read claims that frequent water changes to key to success in keeping these beautiful fish.
My main question is about water chemistry as far as doing a water change with tap water. I’ve created a DIY Phython (haven’t used it yet because it wont screw onto faucet, simple fix hopefully) and I know this makes changing water a lot easier, however, I know how the Discus requires soft water conditions and I’m hoping my tap water can match.
Looks like my tap has a pH of 7.4-7.5 after settling for about a day. I haven’t checked KH but my 75 gallon has been cycling for about two weeks now and my kH is really low, 3 or 4 degrees hardness and it’s all from tap (doesn’t this make for pH swings?). I’m worried that using a python would drastically change my water conditions every time I do a water change. Say for example my ph is at 6.5 in the tank and I began to do a 50% water change. If the tap water pH is coming in at 7.4 wouldn’t this a huge problem? Or do you slowly acclimate a new Discus with your current tap water conditions in your tank, or do you just thrown in buffer as you do your changes, how does this work? Trying to figure out how to do a water change without drastically changing levels.
Thanks,
-Dave
I recently setup a 75g freshwater tank about two weeks ago that’s currently cycling. I’ve had this plan to include a combination of Central American cichlids such as a Blue Acara, Firemouth, and most likely a green or gold Severum as well.
BUT…
I recently purchased Aquarium magazine and read the article on Discus and I’m hooked. I’m still not sure yet if I’m going to do it but I’m considering it. Patience is hard when cycling and I’ve found doing a lot of research and reading is helping out a lot!
Most articles I’ve read on the internet say it’s not as hard as everyone claims it is, just like the magazine, and everything I’ve read claims that frequent water changes to key to success in keeping these beautiful fish.
My main question is about water chemistry as far as doing a water change with tap water. I’ve created a DIY Phython (haven’t used it yet because it wont screw onto faucet, simple fix hopefully) and I know this makes changing water a lot easier, however, I know how the Discus requires soft water conditions and I’m hoping my tap water can match.
Looks like my tap has a pH of 7.4-7.5 after settling for about a day. I haven’t checked KH but my 75 gallon has been cycling for about two weeks now and my kH is really low, 3 or 4 degrees hardness and it’s all from tap (doesn’t this make for pH swings?). I’m worried that using a python would drastically change my water conditions every time I do a water change. Say for example my ph is at 6.5 in the tank and I began to do a 50% water change. If the tap water pH is coming in at 7.4 wouldn’t this a huge problem? Or do you slowly acclimate a new Discus with your current tap water conditions in your tank, or do you just thrown in buffer as you do your changes, how does this work? Trying to figure out how to do a water change without drastically changing levels.
Thanks,
-Dave