Skimmer? UV cleaner? Peat?

[Cermet]

Quick questions for some quick answers:
Would a skimmer help in a discus tank so cleaning the walls so often could be reduced? Anyone have experience with these things for that purpose?

Some breeders say a UV water cleaner is great - anyone out there tried (and failed) or did well with a unit?

Peat - trying some German stuff (really smells great.) So far, water still is completely clear. Has anyone used peat (any type) for a long time? If so, has it helped? I am growing some small discus (2-3 inch) and was wondering?


Tank: 75 gal, sand bottom, bio-wheel filter with 100 micron pad, carbon (never), planted; water: pH 6.2 - 6.4, KH < 75 ppm, temp 88 F. Discus only.
:fish

[rich311k]

Protein skimmers do work in fresh water.

UVs can be effective but they kill living organisms, They have no effect on water quality.

Peat will lower the KH and PH of the water and I am sure discus would enjoy water like that. Its effectiveness would depend on your tap water readings.

If you want big healthy discus do semi daily water changes.

[Cermet]

Thanks - I do 10% changes every day and 30% weekly. My tap water is pH 6.2 so I don't think I need to lower it. Hope the micro-minerals in peat help the overall health of the discus. Might try a skimmer to reduce wall cleaning.:goldfish:

[Dkarc]

Most skimmers available wont work in freshwater very well (needle wheel impellar). Need a pump driven venturi to work effeciently and even then, there are mixed results. IMO, not worth the hassle for a small system.

UV Sterilizers work great....so long as they are sized, installed, and maintained properly.

Peat works fine, but it's not necessary unless it is a wild discus. Modern domestic fish do just fine in about any pH.

-Ryan