Who Gives A Fish Forums

200ppm is definitely on the high side. RO will help a ton. Also, if you're mixing tap with RO, aim for a slow drip acclimation when you do changes. Sudden shifts in hardness can freak 'em out. What water conditioner are you using? Prime's good for binding any nasties during big changes.

Sounds like you're on the right track with the water changes and feeding. How old are the fry? If they're under 2 weeks, growth can be slow until they hit that 1 inch mark. Also, what's your water hardness? Discus fry do better in softer water, like under 100ppm TDS. If your tap is hard, might wanna ...

My discus has been looking pale for the past few days. Water params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, nitrate around 10 ppm. Tank is 75 gallons, temp at 86°F, running a Fluval FX6. They're eating but not as aggressively as usual. Any ideas?


How old are they? Juveniles can fade if they're not ...

Yep, opposite sides for sure. Also, make sure they're near water flow, like by the filter output. Helps circulate the heat. What kind of filter you running?

Just remember to keep the QT tank at the same temp and water params as the fry tank. Sudden changes can stress them out.

Depends on growth, but usually around 2 months. By then, they should be big enough to handle a larger tank with less risk. Just watch your stocking density.

Blossom wrote: ↑Thu May 22, 2025 3:02 am Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll start with daily water changes and baby brine shrimp. Gonna order a hatchery setup today.

Smart move. Just remember to rinse the brine shrimp well before feeding. They can carry bacteria if not cleaned properly.

For fry that young, daily water changes of at least 50% are crucial. They're super sensitive to water quality. Use a siphon to remove waste without disturbing the sand. For food, start with freshly hatched baby brine shrimp or a high-protein powdered fry food. Keep the temp steady, 84°F is perfect.

Yep, gotta agree with jason. Discus aren't fans of strong currents. I run my 407 at half power in my 90 gallon, and they're way happier. Also, check your water temp, they like it warm, around 84°F.

Stressed Discus can be tricky. Your params look solid, but how's the flow from your filter? Too much current can stress them out. Also, check if any tankmates are bullying them. I've got a Fluval FX4 on my 90 gallon but dialed it way down with a spray bar. They're chill now.