Hello

[SgtMaj]

Hello, I'm SgtMaj and I'm new around here, as well as to discus. I always enjoy learning about different types of fish though, and I'm sure one day I'll get a discus tank.

Anyway, glad to meet you all.

[Merrilyn]

Welcome to the forum SgtMaj.

Glad to see you're doing your homework before jumping into discus keeping.

We have lots of friendly members who will gladly help with any questions you may have.

[SgtMaj]

Thanks Merrilyn. I had a friend who's mother used to keep discus. He said it was difficult to keep the water parameters right for them (tap water here runs at about 8.2pH and around 10-20KH). But that was 20 years ago. I don't know if selective breeding has produced more hardy discus since then.

[Merrilyn]

A pH of 8.2 is still to high even for domestic fish. You may need to look at investing in an RO unit. Ideally you want the water at 7 or below.

Filtering your water through peat will help, but I don't think it will drop it down to 7.