Discus fry tank heater choice

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Raven
Posts: 5
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 3:34 pm

Discus fry tank heater choice

Post by Raven »

Setting up a fry tank for my Discus and need advice on heaters. Current tank is 20 gallons, bare bottom, sponge filter, temp at 84°F. Heater I have is sketchy, keeps fluctuating. What's a reliable brand for fry tanks? Prefer something with precise control.
BoldRom
Posts: 10
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 3:38 pm

Re: Discus fry tank heater choice

Post by BoldRom »

I've had good luck with Eheim Jager for fry tanks. They're solid, hold temp steady, and won't break the bank. My 20-gallon fry tank runs at 85°F with zero swings. Just make sure you get the right wattage, 100W should cut it for your setup.
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Fade
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Sep 23, 2024 5:10 pm

Re: Discus fry tank heater choice

Post by Fade »

Seconding Eheim Jager. Used one for my last batch of fry, no issues. Also, consider a backup thermometer. I've seen heaters fail even from good brands. My tank's got a digital one stuck to the side, gives me peace of mind.
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belleora
Posts: 139
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2022 5:03 am

Re: Discus fry tank heater choice

Post by belleora »

If you wanna splurge, go for a Cobalt Neo-Therm. They're pricier but super accurate and slim. My fry tank's been at 84.5°F for months with no tweaks. Plus, the LED display is handy for quick checks without opening the hood.
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dynamo
Posts: 16
Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2023 2:24 am

Re: Discus fry tank heater choice

Post by dynamo »

Anyone tried the Fluval E series? I'm running one in my 30-gallon community tank, but curious how it handles fry temps. My Discus are adults, so I keep it at 82°F, but heard fry need tighter control.
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Kargo
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Joined: Thu Feb 10, 2022 9:44 pm

Re: Discus fry tank heater choice

Post by Kargo »

dynamo wrote: Fri Jun 13, 2025 6:40 pm Anyone tried the Fluval E series? I'm running one in my 30-gallon community tank, but curious how it handles fry temps. My Discus are adults, so I keep it at 82°F, but heard fry need tighter control.
I've used the Fluval E 100W in a 20-gallon fry tank. It's decent, but the calibration was off by 1°F out of the box. Had to adjust it manually. Not a dealbreaker, but worth noting.
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elixir
Posts: 22
Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2022 6:37 pm

Re: Discus fry tank heater choice

Post by elixir »

What's the ideal temp range for Discus fry? I've heard 84–86°F, but some say 82°F is fine. My tank's at 83°F, but growth seems slow.
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knight
Posts: 21
Joined: Tue Dec 27, 2022 8:31 am

Re: Discus fry tank heater choice

Post by knight »

elixir wrote: Fri Jun 13, 2025 8:32 pm What's the ideal temp range for Discus fry? I've heard 84–86°F, but some say 82°F is fine. My tank's at 83°F, but growth seems slow.
Stick to 84–86°F for fry. Lower temps slow metabolism, which can stunt growth. My fry tank's at 85°F, and they're packing on size fast. Also, feed 'em small amounts 4–5 times a day if you aren't already.
gurer
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 6:15 pm

Re: Discus fry tank heater choice

Post by gurer »

I've got a cheap Aqueon in my quarantine tank, and it's been surprisingly reliable. Not as fancy as the others mentioned, but it gets the job done. Just double-check the temp with a separate thermometer, 'cause the built-in dial can be a bit off.
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SlyFox
Posts: 32
Joined: Thu Mar 17, 2022 10:42 pm

Re: Discus fry tank heater choice

Post by SlyFox »

Heater drama is the worst. Had one fry batch wiped out because a no-name heater spiked to 90°F overnight. Now I only trust brands with fail-safes. Eheim and Cobalt are my go-tos, like others said. Also, always unplug during water changes—fried one heater that way, lol.
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