discus tank water testing kits

[Jurn]

What's the best water testing kit for Discus? My tank's been running for 3 months, 75 gallons, sand substrate, and I'm using a Fluval canister filter. Parameters are usually 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, but nitrates creep up to 20ppm after a week. Need something reliable, not sketchy.

[luxe]

API Freshwater Master Kit is solid. Used it for years with my 120-gallon planted tank, Discus are thriving. It's accurate and easy to read, just follow the instructions. Also, if nitrates are hitting 20ppm, maybe up your water changes to twice a week, that's what I do.

[foxcape]

API's fine if you're cool with color matching, but Salifert's where it's at for precision. My nitrates were off by 10ppm with API, switched to Salifert and it's way tighter. Plus, their phosphate test is clutch if you're running plants.

[Lister]

API's fine if you're cool with color matching, but Salifert's where it's at for precision. My nitrates were off by 10ppm with API, switched to Salifert and it's way tighter. Plus, their phosphate test is clutch if you're running plants.

Agreed on Salifert. I've got a 90-gallon with Discus and Rams, and their KH/GH tests are unbeatable for keeping the water soft.

[Wind]

Anyone tried the Hanna Checkers? Pricey but no guesswork with digital readouts. My Discus are in a 55-gallon bare bottom, and I'm paranoid about ammonia spikes since I feed beef heart daily. Hanna's ammonia checker gives me peace of mind.

[Duppy]

Hanna's great if you can swing it. I use their nitrate checker in my 180-gallon show tank, and it's dead-on. Just remember to calibrate it monthly. Also, beef heart's messy, so maybe cut back if you're seeing ammonia, or add another sponge filter.

[FishNe]

I'm cheap and use Tetra strips. Yeah, they're not lab-grade, but for a quick check on my 40-gallon, they're fine. Discus are healthy, water changes every 5 days. If something seems off, I'll double-check with API.

[Nimbus]

I'm cheap and use Tetra strips. Yeah, they're not lab-grade, but for a quick check on my 40-gallon, they're fine. Discus are healthy, water changes every 5 days. If something seems off, I'll double-check with API.

Strips can be hit or miss, but glad it's working for you. Just keep an eye on expiration dates—they go bad faster than liquid kits.

[kicks]

Seachem's MultiTest is underrated. Does ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, and hardness in one go. My Discus are in a 65-gallon with driftwood, and it's been spot-on for a year. Only downside is the reagent bottles are tiny, so you'll need refills quick.

[Jurn]

Thanks for the recs, everyone. Gonna try the API kit first since it's easy to find. If I start chasing numbers, maybe I'll upgrade to Hanna later.