frequency of WC for Discus

[Aquanero]

I have been keeping Discus for about 15 years. I always do planted tanks, never bear bottom. I don't expect my discus to grow to the size of dinner plates. My fish usually top out at about 6" which is a good size for what I want. The key is never exceed the bio load your tank can handel. The plants maintane excelent water qualty and changing more than 50% a week in my application is detramental to the over all health of the system. A fully cycled planted tank is a micro eco system and once balanced requires much less maintance than people think. Check out some of Takashi Amano type tanks to see what I'm talking about. IMO if I had to keep Discus in a bear bottomed aquarium I would not not bother with them. The beauty of a group of Discus in a planted tank is one of the most beautyful sights in fishkeeping. Research and you will find a wealth of information and as you progress you will learn and see things you didn't realize you could do.

 

[sunvalley aquarist]

I posted recently that if you want your discus to be as big as possible do a trickle WC 24/7. Discus secrete a hormone into the water that stunts there growth.

 

[TiggertheOscar]

Your tank is large enough that when cycled there should be no reason for frequent changes, of course IMO. Your fish are not large enough to produce harmful toxins in the water that the bacteria in the water cant handle on it's own natural schedule. However, also IMO, large changes can and will be harmful if the fish are not accustomed to your tap water parameters. My recommendation is 2 25% changes a week, or whatever time it takes to gravel vac the entire aquarium should be enough of a water change to keep your water at it's best condition. Do this 2 times a week and you will have very healthy fish for a long time...

 

[Arkangel77]

I posted recently that if you want your discus to be as big as possible do a trickle WC 24/7. Discus secrete a hormone into the water that stunts there growth.

I have seen many debates on this topic and no one has provided any Proof to support this theory. I am not sure I buy into this train of thought BUT - I just don't know for sure.

 

[XxPiScEaNxX]

i think it depends how you feed your fish.. if you feed your discus 4-6 times a day like i do, i would do 50% wc everyday.. this way i have maintained 5ppm nitrate readings and 0 ammonia.. and they grow really nice with this regime. i feed them with NLS Pellets.

and if you only feed the fish 1/day i think the 1/week water change will do you fine. but that is not guaranteed that the parameters are good with that regime, you have to test the water also.. this is just my 2 cents.

 

[3dees]

really depends on the size of the fish. juvies need to be fed 5 or 6 tmes a day. beefheart is also usually fed to juvies and it gets messy. I would do no less than 50% three times a week. I have 6" wilds and feed them 3 times a day. no beefheart. bloodworms, flake, and pellets and I do 2 50% changes a week. takes only 10 minutes more for 50% as opposed to 25%. can you get by with less? sure, but if you want the fish to grow to thier full potential I would change the water as often ass I could.

 

[Arkangel77]

takes only 10 minutes more for 50% as opposed to 25%. can you get by with less? sure, but if you want the fish to grow to thier full potential I would change the water as often ass I could.

 

[StripeGirl]

i am on the every day plan but they are in a tank with 35 plecos(10 of which are wood eating) and 35 small angelfish.the tank is a 5x3x2.so a quick vacuum and maybe 20 percent a day.Filtration is 4 huge sponge filters and 2 fx5's.