How hard can Discus take the water GH and KH levels? I live in Balbriggan and the water is really hard. I want to keep discus without using RO. It's a large planted tank with a PH of just under 7 (due to co2 injection) KH 15 and a high GH 14+

Anyone in my area keeping them? or can anyone advise me? I know they can't breed in hard water but it'll be for display only and I'll probably go for one of the pigeon types.

HELP!

this is a good site rockymountaindiscus.com/Default.htm

European origin discus could be kept in these conditions, GH below 17 could be still tolerated.
Famous Stendker discus in Germany are kept at GH 15, KH 8 and pH 7.

water parms. are not that important... 30oc+ and stable water is more important, discus will live in a wide variety of conditions... but stability is the key!! IMO...

Most Domestic strains will adapt to most water perams if kept stable. the only time you need to concern yourself is if trying to Breed. Then Kh Gh & Ph come into play

Thanks everyone, I put in 2 blue snakeskins on saturday and they seem happy and healthy. Although I'm having a bit of trouble feeding them, they don't seem too keen and one of them keeps spiting food out, they are eating some though. They had dark stress bars when i first put them in but they've almost gone now and they don't try to hide at all.

i would try to reduce the hardness if you can. i live near blachardstown and i use a lot of RO water for my fish.

the main thing for discus is clean water.. and lots of it..

watch them closely for a while and if they start to hide in corners or you notice white poo hanging from them, then you need to act..

they sound like they are taking something, if they start ignoring it completely, watch closely for signs.

dull eyes, dark, slime coat problems, bloated stomach and such..

My Discus live in hard water which in some cases range from 18 to 24. In actual fact their parents managed to breed in these conditions without any problems. No additives is added in the water to maintain stability.

That certainly is some achievement.. I am amazed to hear that Discus have bred at that higher GH, i know that Stendker keeps his fish in dGh18, dKh 12, cond 800ms, but this is his growing on / hold tanks not breeding water.

soft water is required so that the male can fertilise the eggs. do you have any more info on the pair breeding at 18-24?

Thanks