Is my PH a bit to low planted discus tank? (pic included)

[Roryland]

Hey guys,

I posted this on another forum I use and thought I would try here too.

I am looking at keeping a planted discus tank. It has finally finished cycling and I was looking at starting to stock it.

Stocklist:
(any clean up crew that could handle low PH,advice appreciated?)
Corydoras
Cardinals
Discus 5-6 once the housemates are all established.

My problem is I am using ADA Amazonia soil + Co2 and my PH is extremely low. I know discus prefer soft acidic water but its around 6.0 in the mornings before Co2 comes on and then 5.5 from the Co2. I know that this is natural 6.0-5.5 due to the Co2 but isnt this way to low for these fish species still?

I've been advised to leave it alone,use marble chips,buffers etc.
Id rather leave it alone if I could.

Can I please have any input from members here please?

Below is the tank:

[Nev]

ADA amazonia should have a constant ph of 6.5, are you sure of your pre co2 reading?

[ILLUSN]

your tank looks amazing, id just leave it be. the plants dont seem to mind the low PH. for cleanup crew corry are your best bet any sucker mouth catfish will murder your plants.

my discus were kept at 5.0-5.8 and the bred like crazy 5.5-6.0 will be fine

[Roryland]

Illusn,
Thanks for the tank comment
Mate that is very good to know.
I had purchased some crushed coral and was going to bag some up and put it in the filter. Looks like I'm not going to need it then.
Appreciate the comment.

Nev,
Yeah mate its 6.0 before Co2 starts,maybe even lower around 5.5...
Then drops to 5.5 borderline 5.0...
Driftwood wouldn't play much of a part would it?
I cant think of anything else that would be keeping it that low.

Ive tested my Tap Water and Water change tank and theyre both around 6.5-7.0.

[swampy1972]

The crushed coral will aid in reducing the Ph drop associated with the Co2 injection.

I have a small bag in my filter for that very reason and it's helped signifcantly.

For clean up, try Glass shrimp (readily caught in your local creeks), or get some Darwin Algae Eating shrimp from Dave at Aquagreen. Both will handle the conditions you've listed.

[Roryland]

Thanks Swampy,

Yeah i've always wanted to try shrimp! Same deal was just scared I'd kill them. Gotta start somewhere I guess. Will try the species you mentioned.

Thanks for the input about the coral too cheers!

You the same swampy from Aquariumlife by any chance?

[Hooked]

Hi,

Love the tank. Best looking tank I have seen in ages. I have a bunch of Corys. They do a great job of cleaning up the bottom. I've also got a bunch of Rummy nose Tetras that clean up most of the small stuff during feeding and look effective as they school very well. They are all happy at ph6
Man, that's a nice tank,

Cheers

[Roryland]

Thanks mate!

I ended up going with Cardinals,I really want corys but I have a carpet floor of hairgrass so not sure if they would like it being bottom feeders. Anyone keep Corys with planted carpet bottoms?