Keeping Discus..R/O water ?'s

Naps · 01-30-2008, 03:32 PM

So I've been wanting to ask these questions for a bit now because I'm pretty clueless on how the whole R/O water thing works with keeping Discus in the average household. Bear with me please because the questions might be kinda stupid to some.

So how does this all work in the "Normal" house hold. Does an R/O unit hook up to your average kitchen tap and then you need to fill up some sort of large container?? Where do you put this large container of water in your house?? Can you still use your python to do water changes, or does that not work anymore because you are taking water from a container and not out of the tap.

Some day I would like to keep Discus, but I really want to know what I'd be getting into before taking the plunge!!

So how do all of you have your discus water changing methods set up??

Thanks for the answers, tips and tricks, and help! (and sorry for the stupidity!!)

OrionGirl · 01-30-2008, 06:52 PM

I can't relate it to discus, but I can share how the RO unit it setup in my house.

We have a large agricultural tank in the garage. The RO filter is mounted behind the tank, and a hose from an outside tap connects to the filtration unit. The waste water runs outside into the yard so it doesn't just go down the drain. The filtered water goes straight into the agriculture sprayer tank. From there, we use buckets, but previously, we were able to connect hoses to the tank and run them to the tanks by gravity feed.

DaKineDiscus · 01-30-2008, 07:45 PM

I only use RO when breeding discus and for my salt tanks. I will also start using on an upcoming planted tank project.

My RO unit it located in my utility room in my basement out of sight and the way. I then run product line form unit to storage tanks depending on parameters that I need. I have 6 55g storage tanks though not all are full. I also have a large 110 storage tank for everyday water changes. 2 of the 55s are also for the salt tanks.

Now I do not waste the water coming from the waste side of the RO unit, as Oriongirls I use it to water some of my exotic plants and sometimes my garden when warm enough. I also use it for my angel and discus fry growouts. The reason for this is I think that the minerals in the water are needed for proper growth in them. And the best part is that it is already dichlorinated. No chemical nuetrilizers.

My planted tank will be using RO water to limit growth of algae mainly along with a UV. I am going to keep 5 non breeding discus adults in it for a show tank in my living room. I have many at my home ready for it.

I am not to full capacity for breeding discus or angels as of yet but I am working hard at getting it back together. I plan on 4 angel pairs and already have 5 pairs of discus and getting more hooked up to finally get at least 10.

Dont be afraid to use RO or to step into the discus world from others expiriences. Try them when you feel most comfortable in trying. Its great to here what others have to say. But boy when discus craze it bites you and it will, Youll be on top of the world. PS Can you tell I love my discus!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ask more ??????s

Ike

joephys · 01-30-2008, 08:00 PM

Typically RO units are hooked up into the plumbing, so they don't take up a faucet.

For fresh water tanks, the RO water is mixed with some tap water to keep some TDS in the aquarium. You don't want to loose all of your buffering capacity, and the fish do need some dissolved solids, just a low number of them.

You can still use a python to empty the tank, but generally people use a submersible pump from a container of RO water to fill the tank. The reason for this is because water comes out of the RO unit slowly. When it says it is a 50 gallon per day RO unit, it literally means, it takes a day to make 50 gallons of water. You don't want to hold a hose that long filling up a tank (well maybe you do, I don't

)

I don't have discus, so I can't speak specifically about them

Ike, This is off topic, but I wouldn't use RO water for a planted tank. I don't think it will help the algae issue (unless your tap water is really odd), but the plants like the trace elements. With RO water, you might not get the best looking plants or growth.

Also, chlorine and chloramins can get past an RO membrane, but if your fry aren't having a problem, its probably ok for you.

TwoTankAmin · 01-31-2008, 09:04 AM

Just to chime in from a different angle. I keep discus in tap water. It is well water with a pH of 7.4, gh 6 and kh 5. I have had them spawn a number of times but never gotten viable eggs.

Since space here is tight I really have no room to set up an ro system with any ease. In order to determine if it might benefit the discus, I messed with distilled water first by using it in a 50/50 mix with my tap in an effort to get viable eggs. It made no difference and the conclusion was the male was likely shooting blanks and not anything to do with the water.

Unless you have unacceptable tap water, many of the hardier strains of discus can do fine in tap. My discus supplier out of N. Philly uses tap water only and had some of the nicest discus I have seen and manages to spawn them as well.

wesleydnunder · 01-31-2008, 10:03 AM

I agree with TTA on this subject. Naps, my discus have lived in tapwater since they were juvies, and have never been in anything else.This includes the wild blue that I have. My tapwater originates in the same surface water source yours does, albeit a different treatment plant, so I'm confident the hardness is close to yours. If breeding and viable eggs become an issue in the future, you can always add an RO and start fiddling with the TDS. Just MO.

Glad to see you taking the plunge, dude!

Mark

Naps · 01-31-2008, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wesleydnunder

I agree with TTA on this subject. Naps, my discus have lived in tapwater since they were juvies, and have never been in anything else.This includes the wild blue that I have. My tapwater originates in the same surface water source yours does, albeit a different treatment plant, so I'm confident the hardness is close to yours. If breeding and viable eggs become an issue in the future, you can always add an RO and start fiddling with the TDS. Just MO.

Glad to see you taking the plunge, dude!

Mark

Thanks Mark!! I was hoping that you would chime in here!!! You have a great tank and I KNOW you love your Discus!

Thanks for all the help everyone!! Your responces have really opened my eyes and helped me out a ton!! Hopefully soon I can start keeping some of these great fish!!

Thanks again everyone!!

01-30-2008, 03:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
Naps Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 338	Keeping Discus..R/O water ?'s So I've been wanting to ask these questions for a bit now because I'm pretty clueless on how the whole R/O water thing works with keeping Discus in the average household. Bear with me please because the questions might be kinda stupid to some. So how does this all work in the "Normal" house hold. Does an R/O unit hook up to your average kitchen tap and then you need to fill up some sort of large container?? Where do you put this large container of water in your house?? Can you still use your python to do water changes, or does that not work anymore because you are taking water from a container and not out of the tap. Some day I would like to keep Discus, but I really want to know what I'd be getting into before taking the plunge!! So how do all of you have your discus water changing methods set up?? Thanks for the answers, tips and tricks, and help! (and sorry for the stupidity!!) __________________ 20gT 2 Bolivian rams 3 zebra danios 1 bristle nose pleco 90g Koi Angel Rummynose tetras Cardinal tetras Clown loaches Giant Otos Green lemon spotted pleco L-200 Last edited by Naps : 01-30-2008 at 03:39 PM.

01-30-2008, 06:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
OrionGirl Miss you, Old Man Join Date: May 2006 Location: California coastline Posts: 6,715	I can't relate it to discus, but I can share how the RO unit it setup in my house. We have a large agricultural tank in the garage. The RO filter is mounted behind the tank, and a hose from an outside tap connects to the filtration unit. The waste water runs outside into the yard so it doesn't just go down the drain. The filtered water goes straight into the agriculture sprayer tank. From there, we use buckets, but previously, we were able to connect hoses to the tank and run them to the tanks by gravity feed. __________________ ~Sheila tempus edax rerum Ideas do not have to be correct in order to be good; its only necessary that, if they do fail, they do so in an interesting way. ~Robert Rosen

01-31-2008, 09:04 AM	#5 (permalink)
TwoTankAmin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Westchester Co., NY Posts: 721	Just to chime in from a different angle. I keep discus in tap water. It is well water with a pH of 7.4, gh 6 and kh 5. I have had them spawn a number of times but never gotten viable eggs. Since space here is tight I really have no room to set up an ro system with any ease. In order to determine if it might benefit the discus, I messed with distilled water first by using it in a 50/50 mix with my tap in an effort to get viable eggs. It made no difference and the conclusion was the male was likely shooting blanks and not anything to do with the water. Unless you have unacceptable tap water, many of the hardier strains of discus can do fine in tap. My discus supplier out of N. Philly uses tap water only and had some of the nicest discus I have seen and manages to spawn them as well. __________________ Te audire non possum. Musa sapientum fixa est in aure.

01-31-2008, 10:03 AM	#6 (permalink)
wesleydnunder Resident Cannibal Join Date: May 2006 Location: La Marque, Tx. Posts: 2,303	I agree with TTA on this subject. Naps, my discus have lived in tapwater since they were juvies, and have never been in anything else.This includes the wild blue that I have. My tapwater originates in the same surface water source yours does, albeit a different treatment plant, so I'm confident the hardness is close to yours. If breeding and viable eggs become an issue in the future, you can always add an RO and start fiddling with the TDS. Just MO. Glad to see you taking the plunge, dude! Mark __________________ If it can't be fixxed with a hammer, then you've got an electrical problem.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

01-30-2008, 07:45 PM	#3 (permalink)
DaKineDiscus Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 74	I only use RO when breeding discus and for my salt tanks. I will also start using on an upcoming planted tank project. My RO unit it located in my utility room in my basement out of sight and the way. I then run product line form unit to storage tanks depending on parameters that I need. I have 6 55g storage tanks though not all are full. I also have a large 110 storage tank for everyday water changes. 2 of the 55s are also for the salt tanks. Now I do not waste the water coming from the waste side of the RO unit, as Oriongirls I use it to water some of my exotic plants and sometimes my garden when warm enough. I also use it for my angel and discus fry growouts. The reason for this is I think that the minerals in the water are needed for proper growth in them. And the best part is that it is already dichlorinated. No chemical nuetrilizers. My planted tank will be using RO water to limit growth of algae mainly along with a UV. I am going to keep 5 non breeding discus adults in it for a show tank in my living room. I have many at my home ready for it. I am not to full capacity for breeding discus or angels as of yet but I am working hard at getting it back together. I plan on 4 angel pairs and already have 5 pairs of discus and getting more hooked up to finally get at least 10. Dont be afraid to use RO or to step into the discus world from others expiriences. Try them when you feel most comfortable in trying. Its great to here what others have to say. But boy when discus craze it bites you and it will, Youll be on top of the world. PS Can you tell I love my discus!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ask more ??????s Ike

01-30-2008, 08:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
joephys Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: auburn, wa Posts: 4,383	Typically RO units are hooked up into the plumbing, so they don't take up a faucet. For fresh water tanks, the RO water is mixed with some tap water to keep some TDS in the aquarium. You don't want to loose all of your buffering capacity, and the fish do need some dissolved solids, just a low number of them. You can still use a python to empty the tank, but generally people use a submersible pump from a container of RO water to fill the tank. The reason for this is because water comes out of the RO unit slowly. When it says it is a 50 gallon per day RO unit, it literally means, it takes a day to make 50 gallons of water. You don't want to hold a hose that long filling up a tank (well maybe you do, I don't ) I don't have discus, so I can't speak specifically about them Ike, This is off topic, but I wouldn't use RO water for a planted tank. I don't think it will help the algae issue (unless your tap water is really odd), but the plants like the trace elements. With RO water, you might not get the best looking plants or growth. Also, chlorine and chloramins can get past an RO membrane, but if your fry aren't having a problem, its probably ok for you.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)