Discus and carbon? Myth or fact?

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Stambo6194

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 9, 2011
99
1
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Long Island, NY
Yesterday I went out with my girlfriend to purchase discus for her new tank from discus madness in NJ. The experience was very nice and the facility is top notch, you can tell they take great pride in their discus. After buying 4 discus (small) the breeder advised us to remove the carbon from the filter! After asking why he replies with," discus don't like it and they become fearful and shy when approaching the tank" and " it will eventually blind the fish". This is my first time EVER hearing this! But this is also my first time with discus. For all the discus owners out there, is this a myth or fact? Do any of you use carbon in your filters? Will carbon affect the discus's health?
Currently the discus are in the tank with carbon still in the filter, and they are stressed and not really swimming around much but is this really based on the carbon? I feel like its because they are still new to the tank but Should I remove it? Will it kill them?
Sorry for all the questions but I'm just curious bc I've never heard this before.... Thank you in advice everyone N happy Super Bowl !!


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I've never heard of it blinding a fish. However, I'm not a big fan of using carbon, unless I need to remove meds. From what I understand it doesn't last long and can eventually, leech what it has removed, back into the water. I would get rid of it and give them a nice water change. I have been to discus madness many years ago. It was very clean back then as well and he did large daily water changes on his fish.
 
It's a myth. At times, carbon can be useful in an aquarium. However, if you are constantly doing water changes (which most discus require to remain healthy), using carbon would be a waste of money. The water changes will remove the impurities same as the carbon would.
 
Blind a discus, lol!!! I've never heard of that, ever. I've never had carbon in my discus tank for going on 4+yrs now and have never had an issue from not using it. I only use carbon to remove any medications after a treatment is complete......Putting any discus in a new environment can take time fopr them to adjust to their new surroundings. Now mind you there is alot of work that will be had with raising juvies (juvenile discus) to have healthy beautiful fish. Like tank size, other fish, diet and water change schedule. My advice would be to register on SimplyDiscus.com and read all the stickys in the beginner section. Read up all you can now to avoid any sick or stunted fish. Juvies that small require lots of TLC. Good luck..........
 
not sure how old and big are they? if they're small, you can keep them in 20G temporary unless they reach 3-4 inches with BB only and daily water change (maybe 2-3 times wc if you feed BH and power feed them). Anyway 20G is too small, Discus needs min 55G tank with 5-6 discus to spread out aggresive.
 
:popcorn: Another foam pad would be ideal. As to the fact or fiction I would have to lean towards a tall tale. I've used carbon on occasion to remove meds but not a regular run. Discus can be skiddish at times just naturally till they become comfortable & familiar. As MKD stated they do best in groups of 5 or more. This is due to their shoaling nature. You're gonna need to upgrade that tank to at least 55g to raise a healthy group of Discus. BTW I have double sponges in one of my AC 500's (110) & Seachem Matrix Bio Media in the other. Water changes are gonna be your new best friend. the more the better especially when young. Quality food & good maintenance is essential to healthy Discus. "T"
 
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