is discus tank too bright?

[ailam]

Just set up a 75-gallon tank for my Discus, but I'm worried the LED lights might be too intense. They're on for 8 hours a day, and the fish seem a bit skittish. Using a Finnex Planted+ 24/7, sand substrate, and a few pieces of driftwood. Water params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 5 nitrate, pH 6.8. Temp's at 84°F with an Eheim heater. Anyone else run into this?

[Magpie]

Bright lights can definitely stress them out, especially if they're new to the tank. I've got a similar setup, 90 gallons with Fluval Plant 3.0, but I dim it to 50% for the first month. Try reducing the intensity or adding floating plants like frogbit to diffuse the light. How long have they been in there?

[ailam]

Thanks for the tip. They've only been in for about a week. I'll try dimming the lights and see if that helps. Appreciate it!

[bloom]

Bright lights can definitely stress them out, especially if they're new to the tank. I've got a similar setup, 90 gallons with Fluval Plant 3.0, but I dim it to 50% for the first month. Try reducing the intensity or adding floating plants like frogbit to diffuse the light. How long have they been in there?

Yep, floating plants are a game-changer. I use red root floaters in my 120-gallon, and the Discus chill way more under them. Also, check if the tank's near a window. Sunlight plus LEDs can be overkill.

[rockel]

My dude, I had the same issue with my cheap Amazon LEDs. Fish were freaking out until I slapped on some window tint film on the back glass. Now it's all good, and they're coloring up nice. Maybe try that if dimming doesn't cut it?

[Bijack]

I'd second the floating plants idea. My Discus tank has a mix of frogbit and dwarf water lettuce, and the fish seem way more relaxed. Also, how's your water flow? High flow + bright lights can make them bolt. I run a canister filter with the spray bar pointed at the back wall to keep it gentle.

[Corona]

Mine hated bright lights too. Switched to a dimmer schedule, 6 hours at 30% intensity, and they're way happier. Tank's a 55-gallon with black sand, lots of driftwood, and Anubias. No plants floating yet, but might try that next. What's your feeding routine like? Mine get frozen bloodworms twice a day.

[Blazer]

Not sure about the lights, but my Discus tank has a dimmer switch. Maybe your LED controller has one? Mine's a Nicrew, and it was cheap. Tank's 65 gallons, temp at 82°F, with a sponge filter and some Java fern. Fish seem fine with the light at 40%.

[Veloce]

If the fish are hiding or darting, it's probably too bright. My 75-gallon has a Twinstar LED, but I keep it low for the first few weeks. Also, check the color spectrum. Cool white can be harsher than warm. I switched to a 6500K bulb, and the fish calmed down.

[Magpie]

I'd second the floating plants idea. My Discus tank has a mix of frogbit and dwarf water lettuce, and the fish seem way more relaxed. Also, how's your water flow? High flow + bright lights can make them bolt. I run a canister filter with the spray bar pointed at the back wall to keep it gentle.

Exactly! Flow matters too. I've got an FX6 with the output baffled by a sponge. Discus hate strong currents, especially when they're stressed. What's your tank's background color? Darker backs can help reduce glare.