best discus tank water testing

[Wind]

What's the best way to test water for Discus? I've got a 75 gallon tank with 6 adults, sand substrate, and a Fluval FX4 filter. Been using API test strips but heard they're sketchy. Need something reliable, gonna do daily tests for a bit.

[Olive]

API strips aren't precise enough for Discus. Get a liquid test kit like the Salifert or Red Sea Pro. Test ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, and KH daily. Keep temp at 84°F, and do 30% water changes every other day with RO water mixed with a mineralizer.

[Coralite]

API strips aren't precise enough for Discus. Get a liquid test kit like the Salifert or Red Sea Pro. Test ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, and KH daily. Keep temp at 84°F, and do 30% water changes every other day with RO water mixed with a mineralizer.

Yep, liquid kits are the way to go. I use Seachem Prime for conditioning and a TDS meter to check purity. My Discus are way happier since I switched.

[bigDiscus]

If you're gonna test daily, cut it with the strips. Hanna Checkers are pricey but worth it for accuracy. I run a 125 gallon with 10 Discus, planted with CO2, and my pH swings were brutal till I got one.

[Seadog]

Stick to liquid tests for now. I've got a 55 gallon with 4 juveniles, sponge filter, and driftwood. Tested with strips for months and got false zeros. Switched to API Master Kit and found nitrates at 40 ppm. Scary stuff.

[keeper]

Stick to liquid tests for now. I've got a 55 gallon with 4 juveniles, sponge filter, and driftwood. Tested with strips for months and got false zeros. Switched to API Master Kit and found nitrates at 40 ppm. Scary stuff.

Same here. My tap water's KH is super low, so I buffer with crushed coral in the filter. Liquid tests show the real numbers, strips just guess.

[Wind]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. Gonna order a Salifert kit and a TDS meter today. Appreciate the help!

[Dubson]

Good call on the Salifert. I chill with weekly tests now but started daily like you. My 90 gallon's got 8 Discus, bare bottom, and a UV sterilizer. pH stays at 6.8 with peat granules in the sump.

[Kargo]

Don't forget GH testing if you're using RO. My Discus bred once I got GH to 6 dH. Tank's 100 gallons, heavy plants, and a canister filter. Liquid tests saved me from a crash last year.

[Silvan]

I'm new to this, but my LFS said strips are fine. Got a 40 gallon with 3 young Discus, HOB filter, and no plants. Should I still switch to liquid tests?