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What's the best way to test pH for a Discus tank? I've got a 75-gallon with 6 adults, sand substrate, and a Fluval 407 canister. Been using API test strips but they feel sketchy. Water changes every other day, temp at 84F, and they're on a mix of beef heart and flakes. Just wanna make sure I'm not messing with their comfort.

API strips are kinda unreliable for Discus, especially if you're aiming for that sweet spot around 6.5–7.0. Grab a liquid test kit like the API Master Kit or a digital pH pen. I've got a 125-gallon with driftwood and RO water, keeps things stable. How often are you calibrating your tools?

Yep, strips are trash for this. I use a cheapo digital pen from Amazon, works fine if you calibrate it monthly. My tank's smaller, 55-gallon, but same deal—sand, temp at 83F, and weekly water changes. Discus seem chill with it.

Never trusted strips either. My LFS guy swears by Seachem's liquid test. I've got a 90-gallon with bare bottom, temp at 85F, and daily water changes. Discus are picky, so why cut corners?

3monkeys wrote: ↑Sun Aug 17, 2025 9:18 pm API strips are kinda unreliable for Discus, especially if you're aiming for that sweet spot around 6.5–7.0. Grab a liquid test kit like the API Master Kit or a digital pH pen. I've got a 125-gallon with driftwood and RO water, keeps things stable. How often are you calibrating your tools?

Totally agree on the liquid kit. I use the API Master Kit too, 100-gallon tank with planted substrate, temp at 84F. RO water's a game-changer if you can swing it. How's your tap water's pH outta the box?

Thanks for the tips, everyone. Gonna grab a liquid kit today. My tap's around 7.8, so I've been using Seachem Neutral Regulator. Sounds like I need to step up my testing game.

Mixes wrote: ↑Mon Aug 18, 2025 2:04 am Thanks for the tips, everyone. Gonna grab a liquid kit today. My tap's around 7.8, so I've been using Seachem Neutral Regulator. Sounds like I need to step up my testing game.

7.8's high for Discus, but Neutral Regulator's solid. Just watch for pH swings—they're worse than the actual number. RO system's worth the investment if you're serious.

Yeah, pH swings freak 'em out. I buffer with crushed coral in the filter, keeps things steady. 55-gallon, temp at 83F, and weekly 50% changes. Discus ain't cheap, so why risk it?

Crushed coral's a good call. I've got a mix of that and peat in my 90-gallon. Temp's at 85F, daily 30% changes. Discus are thriving, no stress lines.

Peat's underrated for pH control. I toss a handful in a media bag, 100-gallon planted tank, temp at 84F. RO water's a must with my tap at 8.0. Discus are happy, and so am I.