discus breeding tank ph stability

[melodic]

My breeding tank's pH keeps swinging from 6.5 to 7.2, even with daily water changes. Running a 75-gallon with sponge filters, driftwood, and almond leaves. Temp's at 86°F, and they're paired but not laying. Anyone dealt with this?

[Finny]

Yep, pH swings can stress them out big time. What's your KH? If it's low, the pH won't stay stable. I buffer mine with crushed coral in the filter. Also, check your tap pH—mine's 8.0 out the pipe, so I cut it with RO.

[bigDiscus]

Yep, pH swings can stress them out big time. What's your KH? If it's low, the pH won't stay stable. I buffer mine with crushed coral in the filter. Also, check your tap pH—mine's 8.0 out the pipe, so I cut it with RO.

Spot on. KH's the key. Mine's at 4 dKH, pH stays rock-solid 6.8. Also, skip the almond leaves if you're already using driftwood—too much tannins can mess with the buffering.

[turret]

How often are you testing? If it's right after water changes, the swing might just be temporary. I test mine at the same time every day, right before feeding. 55-gallon, bare bottom, two HOBs with peat pellets. pH holds at 6.6.

[spance]

Had the same issue till I switched to RO water. Tap was all over the place. Now I remineralize with Seachem Equilibrium, KH at 3, pH stays 6.5. Also, what's your WC routine? Big changes can shock 'em.

[melodic]

Testing every morning, KH's at 2. Gonna try the crushed coral trick. Thanks, y'all.

[maverick]

Crushed coral's solid, but add it slow. Dumped a cup in once and pH shot to 7.5 overnight. Scared the heck outta my pair. Now I use a media bag with a tablespoon, check every 12 hours.

[jennyfish]

Your driftwood's probably leaching acids like crazy. Either boil it for a week or yank it. My pH was a rollercoaster till I nuked the wood. Now it's just almond leaves and coral, chill at 6.7.

[vivid22]

What's your substrate? Sand can hold pockets of gunk that mess with pH. I vacuum mine weekly, but some folks go bare-bottom for breeding tanks. Less variables.

[metiteh]

Your driftwood's probably leaching acids like crazy. Either boil it for a week or yank it. My pH was a rollercoaster till I nuked the wood. Now it's just almond leaves and coral, chill at 6.7.

Disagree—driftwood's fine if you prep it right. Soak it for a month, change water daily. Mine's in a 120-gallon, pH 6.5 steady. Also, what's your CO2 situation? Even low levels can drop pH.