best discus tank ph buffer
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FairyFish - Posts: 59
- Joined: Sun Mar 06, 2022 6:46 pm
best discus tank ph buffer
What's the best pH buffer for a Discus tank? My water's sitting at 7.8, and I need to bring it down to around 6.5. I've got a 75-gallon tank with six Discus, two German Blue Rams, and a bunch of Cardinal Tetras. Running a Fluval FX6, sand substrate, and driftwood. Tried peat moss but it's not cutting it. Any suggestions?
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flashy - Posts: 8
- Joined: Tue Feb 20, 2024 10:18 am
Re: best discus tank ph buffer
I've had great results with Seachem Acid Buffer. It's stable and won't crash your pH if you dose correctly. My 120-gallon is at 6.4, and I use it with RO water. Just make sure to test daily at first. Also, your driftwood should help over time, but it's slow.
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guppy - Posts: 10
- Joined: Sun Jun 25, 2023 12:20 pm
Re: best discus tank ph buffer
Yep, Acid Buffer's solid. I pair it with Alkaline Buffer to keep things steady. My tank's 55 gallons, pH 6.6, and I do 30% water changes twice a week. Discus are thriving.
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Coralite - Posts: 23
- Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 6:15 pm
Re: best discus tank ph buffer
I'm kinda new to Discus, but my LFS recommended API pH Down. It's working okay, but I'm nervous about overdoing it. Tank's 40 gallons, pH 7.0, and I've got three young Discus. How often do you guys adjust the buffer?
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Fantom - Posts: 8
- Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 6:20 pm
Re: best discus tank ph buffer
API pH Down is sketchy for long-term use. It can cause swings if you're not careful. RO water with a remineralizer like Seachem Equilibrium is safer. My 90-gallon stays at 6.5, and I only tweak the buffer after water changes.
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FairyFish - Posts: 59
- Joined: Sun Mar 06, 2022 6:46 pm
Re: best discus tank ph buffer
Thanks for the advice, everyone. Gonna try the Acid Buffer and Alkaline Buffer combo. I'll report back in a week!
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Craftsman - Posts: 27
- Joined: Fri Jul 29, 2022 8:45 am
Re: best discus tank ph buffer
Don't forget to check your KH too. If it's too low, your pH will bounce all over. I keep mine at 3-4 dKH with a mix of crushed coral in the filter. 65-gallon tank, pH 6.8, and my Discus are chill.
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wilde - Posts: 99
- Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2022 2:47 pm
Re: best discus tank ph buffer
I've been using peat pellets in my canister filter. It's a slower process, but my pH is a steady 6.7 in my 50-gallon. Takes patience, though.
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Lodgemaker - Posts: 10
- Joined: Sun Jul 17, 2022 5:42 am
Re: best discus tank ph buffer
Yo, just cut it with RO water straight up. No buffers needed if you mix it right. My tap's 8.0, but 50/50 RO gets me to 6.5. Easy peasy.
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Haterw - Posts: 12
- Joined: Thu Aug 03, 2023 10:47 am
Re: best discus tank ph buffer
Buffers are a crutch. If you can't keep Discus in your tap water, maybe they're not for you. Just saying.