listen... a lot of what was said to you has some validity in it. I know some will disagree with me, but here is my opinion, also based on my experiences.
first, let's address water changes. look... this really just depends. if you have juveniles you are trying to grow, then you are going to need to go barebottom, feed at least fairly often, and do pretty frequent water changes, FOR BEST RESULTS! now... if you do not feed them really often, will they be okay? sure. if you don't do daily or every other day water changes, will they be okay? again... sure. those two things alone, will not necessarily "stunt" them. but also, they may not get, what discus "experts" refer to as "maximum growth". not everyone cares about that though. sometimes, you just want healthy, pretty fish. fine... that will work for you.
now... the caveat here, again, imo, is "barebottom" tanks. look... if you have juveniles you are trying to grow, it is best to go barebottom. your chances of getting stunted fish are nearly guaranteed, if you do not do that much. imo, you have to go barebottom to grow these guys out, and it is at least best practice to feed at least fairly often, and do fairly frequent water changes.
now, this all changes if you go with adults. adults still require clean, warm water. but they can handle things like planted tanks and a substrate and such, with weekly water changes. no problem. and reduced feedings as well, though be sure to still give them plenty of protein and fat.
now... pH... this mumbo jumbo about low pH and soft water... well, it is mumbo jumbo, UNLESS you are dealing with wild caughts... which would not be wise, as a beginner with discus. wild caughts require conditions as close to their habitat as possible. otherwise, you really just need to know the parameters of the water you are getting them from, and frankly, if you bring them along carefully, they will adapt to most any parameters that are not insane. I did fine with mine in what is basically liquid rock, and 8.0 pH. and by "fine", I don't mean "just got by"... I mean my fish were fine. captive bred discus are not unlike most other captive bred fish... meaning, stable pH is more important than trying to screw around with your pH. just leave your pH what it is, and buy fish form a quality source, and stay away from wild caughts for now, and you will be fine.
as far as lighting is concerned, my fish were in low lights. no floaters. I know people who have these fish in hi-tech, hi light, planted tanks, with no floaters. as far as I can tell, they don't seem to care about the lighting. again, maybe this is a wild caught thing, but I think it is another old school discus myth.
just do what you are doing... your due diligence. and remember one rule, more important than any other... it is a rule you should already know, since you are already in this hobby... there is not "absolute" rule. ask lots of questions, visit many forums, listen to what people have to say, but don't take everything you hear as gospel... including this post right here... you'll be fine. don't get intimidated. this fish is expensive, and you do want to minimize mistakes... but real complex. keep the water clean. keep the water warm. keep the fish fed. they will be happy. all you have to do is come up with the formula of accomplishing this, that works for you.
spend less money up front, do a little more work, and get juvies... spend more money up front, do a little less work, and get adults.
that about sums it up.
sorry if I was long winded... but you will be okay. I am sure of it. just be patient, sort out your info, and jump in. check out
www.simplydiscus.com, in addtion to this great forum, and I can point you to a few others if you pm me, so as not to be inadvertently disrespectful to this forum.
good luck!
-Rich
