discus tank water change frequency
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Lavida - Posts: 17
- Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 3:33 pm
discus tank water change frequency
How often do y'all change water for your Discus? I got a 75 gallon tank with 6 adults, sand substrate, and a Fluval canister filter. Been doing 30% weekly but they seem stressed after. Water's at 84°F, pH 6.8, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10 nitrate. Maybe I'm messing with them too much?
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brites - Posts: 12
- Joined: Thu Aug 03, 2023 2:33 am
Re: discus tank water change frequency
With adults in a 75, you can cut it back to 20% weekly if params stay stable. Key is consistency, not volume. I do 15% twice a week in my 90 gallon, same temp and pH as yours, with driftwood and Java fern. Less shock that way.
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Blazer - Posts: 20
- Joined: Fri May 20, 2022 3:59 pm
Re: discus tank water change frequency
Mine hated big changes too. Switched to 10% every 3 days and they chilled out. Using Seachem Prime, sponge filter, no plants. Tank's bare bottom though, which might make a diff.
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Kargo - Posts: 23
- Joined: Thu Feb 10, 2022 9:44 pm
Re: discus tank water change frequency
Stress could be from temp or pH swings during changes. Try matching new water to tank temp within 1°F and pre-treating with Prime. My group in a planted 120 gets 25% weekly, aged water only.Lavida wrote: ↑Fri Aug 15, 2025 6:57 am How often do y'all change water for your Discus? I got a 75 gallon tank with 6 adults, sand substrate, and a Fluval canister filter. Been doing 30% weekly but they seem stressed after. Water's at 84°F, pH 6.8, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10 nitrate. Maybe I'm messing with them too much?
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Ticgo - Posts: 22
- Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 3:33 pm
Re: discus tank water change frequency
Weird vibe, mine love fresh water! 50% weekly in a 55 with pool filter sand and a HOB. They crowd the siphon like it's feeding time. Maybe your flow's too strong during changes? I trickle refill over an hour.
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Luxury - Posts: 18
- Joined: Mon Dec 18, 2023 2:58 pm
Re: discus tank water change frequency
Aight, real talk, if they're hiding after changes, something's sketchy. Test your tap for chloramines or metals. My crew gets RO mixed with tap, 20% every 5 days, with almond leaves. Eheim heater keeps it steady at 86°F.
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Lavida - Posts: 17
- Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 3:33 pm
Re: discus tank water change frequency
Thanks for the tips! Gonna try smaller, more frequent changes and check my tap. Didn't think about the refill speed.
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brites - Posts: 12
- Joined: Thu Aug 03, 2023 2:33 am
Re: discus tank water change frequency
Interesting! Might depend on strain. My German Heckels are way more sensitive than domestic blues. What variants do you have?
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Kargo - Posts: 23
- Joined: Thu Feb 10, 2022 9:44 pm
Re: discus tank water change frequency
That's a solid middle ground for stressed fish. Just watch nitrates don't creep past 20ppm.
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Ticgo - Posts: 22
- Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 3:33 pm