Hi! Im planning on getting 6 discus for my new 65 gallon tank. I did some research and found that discus like clean water, and people who have discus do wc's everyday, or every other day. They also have some crazy looking filters. I want a good filter too, but I can't afford a canister filter. What filter should I use and how often should i do wc?
Discus Care...
- Thread starter Halo735
- Start date
Hello; First you have already answered one of your own questions. My research came up with the heavy WC schedule as well. Large volume WC very often is my understanding as well.
With a 65 gallon and 6 discus my guess you will be more toward the everyday WC schedule. I have been in the hobby over 50 years and have thought about keeping discus myself, but the WC schedule puts me off.
May I suggest you get a report from your water company if you have tap water or have well water tested if you have that. The quality of your source water could be a factor. If you are lucky enough to be blessed with very good source water then the keeping of discus may be more feasible.
good luck
Hello,
Discus are expensive fish, for the cost of two nice discus you can get a good canister filter. If you can't afford a canister filter, I wouldn't get into discus keeping. Not because canisters are the only good filtration (lots of members here don't like them and swear by hang-on backs), but because you should be ready to spend a few bucks if getting into keeping discus.
Good canisters can be had pretty cheaply too. I have had this exact one for a couple years and I am happy with it- https://www.amazon.com/HW-404B-5-St...pID=41nikO0FBHL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
That is a good cheapish option. Eheim filters are my favorite,
though they are pricey. I agree you should see what your water is like- discus prefer soft water with lower pH (though many captive bred strains are very adaptable).
Discus are expensive fish, for the cost of two nice discus you can get a good canister filter. If you can't afford a canister filter, I wouldn't get into discus keeping. Not because canisters are the only good filtration (lots of members here don't like them and swear by hang-on backs), but because you should be ready to spend a few bucks if getting into keeping discus.
Good canisters can be had pretty cheaply too. I have had this exact one for a couple years and I am happy with it- https://www.amazon.com/HW-404B-5-St...pID=41nikO0FBHL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
That is a good cheapish option. Eheim filters are my favorite,
though they are pricey. I agree you should see what your water is like- discus prefer soft water with lower pH (though many captive bred strains are very adaptable).
This is what water changing schedule would look like for optimum growth (which is what I assume everyone intends to achieve after spending so much on discus):
- 2-3 inch size- daily 50%-75% water change. The reason: juvenile discus have a very fragile immune system and require pristine water in order to stave off bacterial and parasitic infections.
- 3-4 Inch size- Can do every other day- 50-75%. Immune system has strengthened considerably once reach 4 inch size..
- 5 inch- every 3 days- 50%.
- 6 inch +- every 3-7 days depending on bio-load/bio-filtration.
- For example: I have a 60 gallon discus tank with high bio-load, The discus are adults and range from 6-7 inch. I have a Fluvel G6 filter that is excellent with biological filtration, not so great with mechanical. But, that's okay, what is most important is the biological capacity of any filter you choose. With discus, you are the mechanical filtration- i.e: water changes. No high capacity filtration, no matter how powerful it is can substitute the need for water changes with discus when it comes to dissolved solids.
- You can most certainly use HOB filters for discus, I did successfully for years, however, think biological filtration: load that HOB with various bio-materials: bio-balls, rings, etc... and do not use your mechanical media as biological media! Routinely clean and change out your mechanical as recommended by manufacturers instructions. Filters for discus must also be kept clean, flow unimpeded, and nitrates to minimum.
I run a 75 gallon with 6 adults 5.5-6.5 and some sterbai corydoras (clean up crew) with an fx5, ac110, and foam filter. I use an RODI, a TDS stick and temp gun to keep the hardness of the water and temp on check. Feed FDBW (about $50 for 100g) and mix it up with home made BH mix and FBW. I also have a medicine cabinet for all types of ailments and water conditioners (love prime). Its a pimp hotel wc maybe once every week or two until two pair up before I move em to my breeding tanks.
Get a plastic tote from some cheap place or a dumpster and fill it with lavarock. Also temperature needs to be in the 80s always. Water change as often as needed but remember discus are very sensitive compared to other fish. Buy tetra brand test strips or liquid test kits and keep an eye on the quality and you will know how often to do water changes. If you get the strips cut them with scissors straight down the middle lengthwise and you will get twice as many tests for the same price.
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