PH

[dinnese]

Is a product like Black Water Extract an additive that stabilizes the PH and replace the elements needed?

[Cliff]

I would use Kent R/O right,

I'm sorry I was not very clear on my last post. This was the additive I was referring to. There are some discus keepers in our local aquarium society that swear by this product when used with pure water containing 0 tds

[mojosodope]

Black water extract is more used to mix with tap water than R/O water, it lowers your ph,gh,kh. Keep in mind that your R/O water is basically a blank slate, I'm not sure how the extract would work in such a situation but Kent R/O right is a proven additive. Like Cliff said, many Discus owners/breeders who use R/O water swear by it.

[Cermet]

Pure R/O water will kill discus. You must have some trace minerals (esp. Ca ions.)

Once a pair of discus forms, breeding can be induced by a large temperature drop - say from 84/86 F to 78/80 F. The change can be created by adding cool water as a partial water change (pH should NOT change); however, the temperature fall should take fifteen to twenty minutes. This method has been used by experts and is similar to what happens in nature (spring rains.) At some point, the temperature needs to be allowed to rise back to 82 F. If breeding does not start, try again.

Once eggs are laid, return the temperature to a better 84 - 86F; free swiming young are best raised at 88 F (faster growth.)

[mojosodope]

^ my mistake on raising the temp to induce breeding, got mixed up with treatment. To add to what was said above, Juvenile discus grow much quicker in water with a higher TDS count, unlike what is needed for a high hatch rate.