huge discus

[Julie]

I think they stop growing around age 2, unless in width of course.

[NjOyRiD]

i have a question, why doing waterchange daily?! the nitrite when you have discus goes up fast or what?! i just dont get it ... once a week woulnd be enough?!

[Nelson]

i have a question, why doing waterchange daily?! the nitrite when you have discus goes up fast or what?! i just dont get it ... once a week woulnd be enough?!

Daily waterchanges is NOT necessary.  I perform 30% changes twice a week in my tanks, including the discus tank, and that's plenty.  Never had a problem.

[Julie]

Morning Nelson, I'm curious what your nitrates are on average?

[Marx]

this is a great subject on husbandry.. i believe people make fish keeping more of a chore then a hobby... and that 50% weekly or twice weekly is just a way to keep them busy.. i see no need for this.. and in Dr Fosters books he states that smaller water changes are the best way to keep everything equal...

i do 10% weekly to all my tanks.. even my reef.. and sometime wonder if i really need to..

just my pennies..

[Nelson]

Morning Nelson, I'm curious what your nitrates are on average?

Hi Julie, I used to check my water chemistry religiously but I haven't performed checks for many months.  I guess since all appears to be going very well and the fish seem happy and prospering based upon my routine, then the water quality must be OK.  Having said that, I will test it and let you know.

[Evan]

it all depends on your tank, feeding, filtration and stocking levels.

The age of the discus also would be an issue.  In the first stages of life even small amounts of nitrates etc.  can harm them.

Generally you feed growing discus more and in  turn creates a lot of waste.

Same goes for when they are are spawning  the eggs can be spoiled if the water is not very clean.


In my discus tanks I do a little bit of maintenance every day.  There is a lot of waste built up even after one day and it is good to get that out of there.

In the end you just need to find out what works for your tank.  If your discus are growing properly, healthy, the parameters are in line and there are no copeods (and whatever those other worms are are called)  then you are doing the right level of maintenance.

[Nelson]

this is a great subject on husbandry.. i believe people make fish keeping more of a chore then a hobby... and that 50% weekly or twice weekly is just a way to keep them busy.. i see no need for this.. and in Dr Fosters books he states that smaller water changes are the best way to keep everything equal...

i do 10% weekly to all my tanks.. even my reef.. and sometime wonder if i really need to..

just my pennies..

I don't look at it like that at all Marx...I very much enjoy the hobby and part of that enjoyment is performing routine maintenance, including in my case two 30% water changes weekly.  If I began looking at that aspect of the hobby as a chore, then I guess I would re-visit the need for the regime I've adopted and/or ask myself why it's becomming a chore - losing interest?  no time?  etc.

Are my frequent water changes necessary?  Probably not, but I have also been very fortunate in that I've experienced very little mortality, plant growth is very good, never experienced a "crash" and my water quality is always excellent.  Can't see myself risking that by modifying my maintenance schedule.

...and that's my story :wink:

[Marx]

one thing i like about the hobby is the activity in a tank..

and also seeing other peoples accomplishments in the hobby.. i would never tell anyone how to do their maint.  i believe the more the merrier. and after i re-read my previous post i feel like an idiot.. i don't believe in what i posted..

i believe that my 10-15% weekly water changes are good enough for my needs.. but 30% would be better.. it just makes sense..

Sorry about that!

[Nelson]

one thing i like about the hobby is the activity in a tank..

and also seeing other peoples accomplishments in the hobby.. i would never tell anyone how to do their maint.  i believe the more the merrier. and after i re-read my previous post i feel like an idiot.. i don't believe in what i posted..

i believe that my 10-15% weekly water changes are good enough for my needs.. but 30% would be better.. it just makes sense..

Sorry about that!

Not only an accomplished aquarist but an honest one at that :wink: