Discus color strains comparison

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slimfox
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Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 6:08 pm

Discus color strains comparison

Post by slimfox »

I've been keeping Discus for about a year now, and I'm curious about the differences in color strains. My current tank has a mix of Blue Diamonds and Pigeon Bloods, but I'm thinking of adding some Red Turquoise. Anyone have experience with how these strains compare in terms of vibrancy and stability? My tank is 75 gallons, with a canister filter, sand substrate, and driftwood. Water params are stable, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10 nitrate, pH 6.8, temp at 84°F. I do 30% water changes twice a week.
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SlyFox
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Re: Discus color strains comparison

Post by SlyFox »

Red Turquoise are stunning, but they can be a bit more sensitive than Blue Diamonds. I've found they need pristine water to really show their colors. My 90 gallon has a mix of Red Turquoise and Pigeon Bloods, with a sump filter, black sand, and lots of plants. I keep the temp at 86°F and do 40% water changes three times a week. The Reds pop more under LED lighting, but the Pigeon Bloods are more consistent in color.
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julian
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Re: Discus color strains comparison

Post by julian »

Yo, I've got some Red Turquoise in my 55 gallon, and they're fire when they're happy. But man, they're picky. Gotta keep the water clean, or they'll look washed out. I run a sponge filter, bare bottom, and temp at 85°F. Feed 'em beef heart mix and frozen bloodworms. The Blue Diamonds are way more chill, just kinda do their thing. My Reds are the divas of the tank, but worth it when they're showing off.
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Ranger2
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Re: Discus color strains comparison

Post by Ranger2 »

The Red Turquoise strain is known for its vibrant colors but requires more maintenance. Blue Diamonds are hardier and more forgiving. Pigeon Bloods are a good middle ground. Ensure your lighting is adequate for color enhancement.
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Sailor
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Re: Discus color strains comparison

Post by Sailor »

I've only kept Blue Diamonds. They're easy to care for and look great. My tank is 60 gallons, with a hang-on-back filter, gravel substrate, and a few plants. Temp is 83°F. I do 25% water changes weekly. They're not as flashy as some other strains, but they're reliable.
slimfox
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Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 6:08 pm

Re: Discus color strains comparison

Post by slimfox »

Thanks for the insights, everyone. I think I'll give the Red Turquoise a try and see how they do in my setup. I'll keep an eye on the water quality and adjust the lighting if needed.
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SlyFox
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Re: Discus color strains comparison

Post by SlyFox »

slimfox wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 9:38 pm Thanks for the insights, everyone. I think I'll give the Red Turquoise a try and see how they do in my setup. I'll keep an eye on the water quality and adjust the lighting if needed.
Good luck! Just remember to acclimate them slowly. I've found they're more sensitive to changes in water params than other strains.
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julian
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Re: Discus color strains comparison

Post by julian »

Yeah, man, take it slow with the Reds. They're worth the effort, though. My tank's got a mix of strains now, and the Reds are the stars. Just don't freak out if they hide for a few days after adding them. They'll come around.
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