What would YOU consider the optimum parameters?

[Scooter]

This may prove to be too vague for you "technicians" of the hobby, but I thought this would be an interesting question. What would you consider the optimum water parameters (TDS, gH, kH, pH) for a large sized (~70-90 gal.) general Apisto tank (non-breeding)? Let's assume that the Apistos are not the black water variety but some of the more clear water, less soft water/acidic dependent species.

My opinion is as follows:

TDS = 80-100
GH = 5-6
KH = 5-6
pH = 6.8

Anyone else? No wrong answer (well there is, but....). I just wanted to see what everyone else shoots for.

 

[farm41]

I'm just using what comes out of the tap:

Ph 7
Kh 6
Gh 10

TDS unknown

I have started using some peat, softening the water for my rams

 

[Scooter]

Ahh, farm, I wish I had your tap. Mine's in the upper range of everything, which is not ideal for Apistos I'm afraid, though Z man will probably chime in and say not to stress over it :lol:

 

[aspen]

my water is gh8, kh 4, ph 7.8. ideally, i would mix it 1/2 1/2 with r/o. this would be stable, and easy to maintain. that is the key, easy to keep stable, imo. large fuctuations, and esp ph crashes will stress or kill your fish. i'm no water tech, and my water is esp hard to move, ph wise.

rick

 

[Scooter]

Hey Rick. The pH of my tap is about identical to yours. I actually use about a 1:4 ratio of tap to RO in my water changes in my Apisto community tank. I just thought I'd see what everyone else thinks is "ideal".

 

[aspen]

i consider peat to be nice to use, if you can keep it clean in the tank. ime, a bag left floating takes a long time to make any big difference.

rick

 

[farm41]

I'm using as 32g garbage can with 4-6" peat in the bottom filled to the brim with my tap and an airpump going. It took a week for most of it to sink to the bottom, and after the week was up I checked the water. I could have never guessed, but the Ph is 6 or less(my test kit only goes that far), Kh 1 and Gh 3. I just use some of this when doing water changes.

I guess I'm using enough peat.

 

[Neil]

Without the issues of breeding, a tank with as easy a water make-up to replicate as possible would be of great benefit. Apisto, by and large, do not have to have particularly soft, acidic water to remain healthy and active. Just to breed! Filtering through peat, additions of minerally depleted water(RO), extremely varied diets, etc. are all beneficial but are not precursors to adequate husbandry.
If you water is very hard and alkaline, it is a different deal, but a system of regular water changes and a couple of good food items are all that is necessary. The structure in the tank and appropriate tankmates are also a must.
Most apistos should fair well in a tank with neutral pH and neutral hardness (both GH and KH) as long as they are unstressed and given very clean water. I would simply choose an appropriate mixture of tap and RO (in relation to how bad my tap was) and rarely even test for hardness and pH after, as long as I kept up with my regular water change schedule.
Neil

 

[Z Man]

Scooter, "Don't get stressed out over water!" Your water is better than mine from the tap and that's what I use when not breeding them.

 

[Bissot_J]

Scooter, "Don't get stressed out over water!" Your water is better than mine from the tap and that's what I use when not breeding them.

yes
if i can permit me
Z Man is true
dont get stress
i move two month ago and didn't have a lot of time to put all my tank in good condition rigth away after the move

so i leave a tank with some APisto (caetei juvenil) and some badis badis birmanicus (actually 3), this tank have a strange setup i am testing
it planted no so much but have a lof of external plant who have the roots in water, with a little filter "aquaclear mini
the tank is 20 gallons.

last week i get some time so i decided to take care of this tank
i didn't make any water change , only add water (evaporation)
and that 's iit , no cleaning nothing ....
believe or not i never see caetei so Beutiful
and the badis are very very healthly.

so ......

B.

 

[Scooter]

Wait a second! I make a post requesting others to reveal their own water parameter preferences in a general apisto community tank and I'm suddenly accused of stressing and asking for help. :lol: Holy cow!!

I'm not stressed at all, but thanks Z Man. I knew you'd jump in sometime. And I'm not asking for any help on this issue. Don't get me wrong, I'm no expert. I always welcome good advice, but I thought some of those hoping to learn more about keeping apistos would appreciate hearing about the water paramaters of those of us who keep them. That's all. As with most boards like these, more people lurk than post. Many would like to know but won't ask. I've shared my thoughts and I'm just asking for you regular posters to share yours. Thanks Neil, Rick, Z and farm. Hey Bissot, what would your ideal water parameters be?