growth questions? kinda confused

[wheatgerm]

I use my stunted fish to take the brunt of the aggression. Less possibility of something else getting stunted. I also use them as test fish in bringing two groups together after quarantine. The have their uses just not as big and pretty as other fish. I use one stunted fish I have to get picky eating groups eating other foods. Throw him in and he races for anything you drop in the tank and the others follow. As long as they are healthy no reason to get rid of them unless you just cant stand the sight of them.

That's a very good point and Idea. And with the better strains in the tank I don't even notice the small ones lol they just kind of blend in. I guess I better hurry and order in some more around 4 inches before the larger ones get any larger!

 

[wheatgerm]

Does good filtration not matter with discus as much because of the frequent water changes? My tank is sumped and has a huge bio and mechanical system also a natural plant system in the filtration. It just seems to me I would be washing out all the bio in my scrubbier if I do that often of changes

 

[TNT77]

That would make sense but I don't have any pairs and mine aren't really that big. But still I think I agree on the waterchanges. Being over 100 gallon tank do I still do about 30% w/c twice a week or even more often if possible? Or should I do bigger volume changes

I have a group of 13 growouts in a 120 atm that I still do 50% every day or every other day on busy days. If you are going to do 2 waterchanges weekly I would up them to at least 75%. You could try 50% 3 times a week. Believe me you will notice a huge difference in appetite in the group.

 

[TNT77]

Does good filtration not matter with discus as much because of the frequent water changes? My tank is sumped and has a huge bio and mechanical system also a natural plant system in the filtration. It just seems to me I would be washing out all the bio in my scrubbier if I do that often of changes

Ive got a FX5 filled with matrix, Rena xp3 with bio rings and mech media, and 2 sponge filters on my 120. I have to rinse my filter pads out about once every 2 months. I do rinse the sponges out every couple days though. I have left the tank running for 4 days without water changes when Im gone and not had a change in water params. The fish were much happier after I got back though.

 

[wheatgerm]

Crazy, well that helps a ton thanks!

 

[evilobster]

I have a group of 13 growouts in a 120 atm that I still do 50% every day or every other day on busy days. If you are going to do 2 waterchanges weekly I would up them to at least 75%. You could try 50% 3 times a week. Believe me you will notice a huge difference in appetite in the group.

i can attest to the appetite part... but my discus growthrates is all jacked up due to the fact that i didn't do my research before i was sold by the LFS