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discus fry tank water buffer
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 6:23 am
by joshito
What's the best way to buffer water for my Discus fry tank? I've got a 20-gallon setup with a sponge filter, temp at 84°F, and RO water. Been using crushed coral but pH swings are sketchy. Feed them 4x a day with beef heart mix. Need something stable, ya know?
Re: discus fry tank water buffer
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 8:03 am
by Olive
Crushed coral works but it's slow to react. For fry, you want instant stability. Try Seachem Discus Buffer, it's designed for soft water and won't mess with your TDS too much. Pair it with their Neutral Regulator if pH swings are wild. How often are you testing?
Re: discus fry tank water buffer
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 9:34 am
by joshito
Olive wrote: ↑Sun Aug 03, 2025 8:03 am
Crushed coral works but it's slow to react. For fry, you want instant stability. Try Seachem Discus Buffer, it's designed for soft water and won't mess with your TDS too much. Pair it with their Neutral Regulator if pH swings are wild. How often are you testing?
Testing daily, man. pH jumps from 6.4 to 7.0 after water changes. Gonna grab that Discus Buffer tomorrow. Appreciate the tip!
Re: discus fry tank water buffer
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 10:52 am
by Sand
Yo, RO water's a pain without buffers. I mix mine 50/50 with tap to cut the swings. Also, drip acclimate new water over an hour. Fry are fragile, bro. What's your water change routine? Mine's 30% every other day with a Python.
Re: discus fry tank water buffer
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 12:45 pm
by Dkade
I've had luck with almond leaves. They release tannins slowly, buffer pH naturally, and fry seem to dig the darker water. Plus, it's cheap. Just toss in a couple, replace every 2 weeks. How old are your fry? Mine are 3 weeks, barely eating brine shrimp.
Re: discus fry tank water buffer
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 2:13 pm
by julian
Dkade wrote: ↑Sun Aug 03, 2025 12:45 pm
I've had luck with almond leaves. They release tannins slowly, buffer pH naturally, and fry seem to dig the darker water. Plus, it's cheap. Just toss in a couple, replace every 2 weeks. How old are your fry? Mine are 3 weeks, barely eating brine shrimp.
Almond leaves are clutch, but watch for mold if your flow's low. My fry are 4 weeks, still on microworms. Beef heart's too rich for 'em yet. You using a breeder box or free swim?
Re: discus fry tank water buffer
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 3:05 pm
by Marksfish
Buffer tips aside, how's your bio load? Overfeeding + small tank = ammonia spikes. I'd bump water changes to daily if you're feeding 4x. Sponge filter's good, but fry tanks need pristine water. You got a test kit for ammonia?
Re: discus fry tank water buffer
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 4:40 pm
by swiftly
Seachem's stuff is solid, but pricey. Baking soda's a temp fix in a pinch—1 tsp per 5 gal, dissolve first. Just don't go wild with it. What's your KH at? If it's under 3, that's why pH bounces.
Re: discus fry tank water buffer
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 5:59 pm
by FishNe
swiftly wrote: ↑Sun Aug 03, 2025 4:40 pm
Seachem's stuff is solid, but pricey. Baking soda's a temp fix in a pinch—1 tsp per 5 gal, dissolve first. Just don't go wild with it. What's your KH at? If it's under 3, that's why pH bounces.
Baking soda's risky with fry, dude. One miscalculation and you nuke the tank. Stick to commercial buffers till they're bigger. My KH's at 4, pH stays at 6.8 like clockwork.
Re: discus fry tank water buffer
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 6:43 pm
by nicey
Anyone try peat moss? I stuffed a mesh bag in my HOB, keeps pH at 6.5 steady. Fry are growing faster than my last batch. Downside: water's tea-colored, but they don't seem to mind.