Opinions on Discus Anyone?

[Ginger726]

I have dreamed of purchasing some discus. I know I would need to reduce my water hardness from tap water. However I just tested my rainwater and it said it was very soft. Do you think I could catch rainwater to use or is this dangerous? Do you think their is a way to filter my rainwater of harmful contaminants if any or do I just need to use distilled or reverse osmosis filters? I had asked my fish store man about keeping discus. He said if I had just wanted them as fish they should do O.K., but if I wanted to breed them then that is where the picky water conditions come in to play. What are your thoughts?

 

[carey]

Rain water is the best type of water you can use unless you live in a place with polluted streams or rivers then I would advise you not to, but don't use the roof and catch it out of the gutters as piant and rust and be toxic to fish. Breeding them is like breeding angels but the water conditions must be pretty good. I like discus but I think that they are a little slow to move, kool foishies though!

PS They are not really a beginners fish ( I am not saying anything by that)

 

[Ginger726]

No, they aren't a beginner fish by any means. Thank you for your response, it helps out a lot. Ginger

 

[semper fi]

rain water would not be plentiful enough for discus imo. discus require perfect water quality and daily water changes. they cannot tolerate poor water quality. while they are beautiful fish, they do require alot of work. definitely not a beginner fish.

maggie