my new discus are gasping at the surface

My tank was perfect last night. I was getting a shipment of plants today and I really wanted to get 2 discus and I was waiting until I was done with the tank to do so. This morning I put all my new plants in the tank and went out to get my discus. The tank has been running for about 8 weeks stocked for about started stocking about 4 weeks ago. 2 partial filter changes and a couple mini cycles when stocking. but I haven't put any fish in in over a week and the plants should only help right? Can ferts cause ammonia spike? or co2?
I did about 25 more gallons water change and used prime. From what I understand prime makes ammonia and nitrites safe but still let them be used by the bacteria. I will really be upset if they die. If my tank isn't perfect tomorrow I will bring them back until it is. They seem to be doing better now that the lights are off.
Thanks for all the input
matt
 
discus doing better

my tank is fully cycled. Its been running for 8-9 weeks. Two nights ago I tested the water because I was getting a shipment of plants and my discus yesterday.
Everything was in order.
I got my plants planted them did a 5 gal water change and went to get my discus.
I don't know what my ammonia is because I have 2 test that read totally different.
My nutrafin nh3 nh4 test reads 1.2 -2.4
and my API test reads 0 - .25
Nitrites -0
nitrates 10
After I did a large water change last night, shut the lights off and turned the bubbler on the discus were doing fine they came out and looked good and easy breathing.
This morning they looked the same.
But again after I started my co2 the started labored breathing and went back to the surface. I turned down the co2 to 6 BPM for today and it was still too much I guess. so I turned the bubbler on for a few minnutes and shut the co2 off. they are doing fine again.
This is kind of a dilemma. I asked if they needed very oxygenated water and I was told no. But even a little co2 is too much. I need it for my plants.
I don't know what to do. I don't know which test kit to trust.
I'm worried if I keep doing large water changes I might ruin my biological filter and have ammonia/nitrites spike and loose my 100dollar fish.
Is there a chance that my tank just isn't stable?
Will it ever be?
.
 
My tank was perfect last night. I was getting a shipment of plants today and I really wanted to get 2 discus and I was waiting until I was done with the tank to do so. This morning I put all my new plants in the tank and went out to get my discus. The tank has been running for about 8 weeks stocked for about started stocking about 4 weeks ago. 2 partial filter changes and a couple mini cycles when stocking. but I haven't put any fish in in over a week and the plants should only help right? Can ferts cause ammonia spike? or co2?
I did about 25 more gallons water change and used prime. From what I understand prime makes ammonia and nitrites safe but still let them be used by the bacteria. I will really be upset if they die. If my tank isn't perfect tomorrow I will bring them back until it is. They seem to be doing better now that the lights are off.

After I did a large water change last night, shut the lights off and turned the bubbler on the discus were doing fine they came out and looked good and easy breathing.
This morning they looked the same.
But again after I started my co2 the started labored breathing and went back to the surface. I turned down the co2 to 6 BPM for today and it was still too much I guess. so I turned the bubbler on for a few minnutes and shut the co2 off. they are doing fine again.
This is kind of a dilemma. I asked if they needed very oxygenated water and I was told no. But even a little co2 is too much. I need it for my plants.
I don't know what to do. I don't know which test kit to trust.
I'm worried if I keep doing large water changes I might ruin my biological filter and have ammonia/nitrites spike and loose my 100dollar fish.
Is there a chance that my tank just isn't stable?
Will it ever be?
Thanks for all the input
matt
 
your tests probably test for total ammonia(NH3 and NH4) so .25 ammonia is not uncommon if you have chloramine in your water.

what plants did you get? how much light do you have on your tank? you are running CO2.at 6 bpm? that doesn't sound right..are you using a pressurized injector ? I run more like 6 bps(bubbles per second) and my discus are fine.
do you know how to test your CO2 level?
if your discus are gasping at the surface when you run CO2 there is your problem..turn the bubbles down..
this will help with your plants..plants consume ammonia..but these plants are not established if you just got them.

what temp is your tank at? discus prefer warm water.(that means 84 degrees)

that said you may have had a spike in your tank by adding new fish..your biological should catch up..
you will not hurt your biological filter changing water..as it has been mentioned..the bacteria establish in your filter. and on objects in your tank..if you do filter changes you may see a spike in your readings...the bacteria will have to re-establish if you change media in your filter.
I would suggest rinsing your filter media in tank water..to reduce mulm but keep most of your bacteria.
adding plants may stress the discus but should not kill them..I prune my tanks everyweek..they hide but after awhile they return to normal.

discus are sensitive..but they do well with frequent water changes..I change water in my established discus tanks at least twice per week and do at minimum 40% changes..with young discus I change the water at a minimum 3 times per week..but most of the time I change the water daily.
a ton of info but I think we can figure out the issue and how you can run CO2 and keep discus..
 
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