Who Gives A Fish Forums

I had the same issue until I switched to blackwater setup. Tannins seem to chill them out. Also, maybe cut the feeding to 3 times a day? Overfeeding can foul the water fast, even with daily changes.


Blackwater is a solid suggestion. Tannins mimic their natural habitat. Also, are you using any ...

Agree with EasyGo on the sponge filter. Another thing, are you using any meds or additives? Even small amounts of meds can wipe out fry. Also, check for any sudden temp swings, even a degree or two can be sketchy for them.

Water quality is non-negotiable. Discus and Tetras both need pristine conditions. I run a UV sterilizer to keep pathogens in check, especially with new additions. My tank's at 83°F, pH 6.5, and TDS around 150. Cardinals and Discus have coexisted peacefully for 2 years now.

How's your lighting setup? Bright lights can stress them out if the water's too turbulent. I keep mine dim with floating plants to diffuse the light and flow.

Anyone tried freeze-dried foods? I'm kinda sketched out by the mess from frozen stuff. My tank's got sand substrate, and it's a pain to clean.


Freeze-dried can work, but you gotta soak it first. Otherwise, it swells in their stomachs. I use freeze-dried tubifex worms soaked in tank water for 5 ...

Agree with greenthumb on root tabs for swords. I use Osmocote Plus in gel caps as DIY tabs. Cheap and effective. Just push them deep into the substrate near the roots. My swords exploded with growth after switching from liquid-only. CO2 and lighting sound good, so it's likely a nutrient distribution ...

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll try increasing water changes and keep an eye on the Rams. No discoloration yet, and they're still eating like pigs. Substrate is sand, and flow's pretty gentle. Appreciate the help!

Noticed some fraying on the edges of my Discus fins yesterday. They're in a 75-gallon tank, temp at 84°F, pH 6.8, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, nitrate around 10 ppm. Been doing 30% water changes twice a week, feeding a mix of frozen bloodworms and beef heart. Tankmates are 6 cardinal tetras and a pair of ...

Re: New discus

Those discus are really catching my eye, especially that stripe. Looking forward to seeing how they'll color up.

That's rich