Discus tank algae bloom prevention

[jellybelly]

I've been struggling with algae blooms in my 75-gallon Discus tank lately. Water params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, nitrate around 10 ppm. I do 30% water changes twice a week, feed them twice daily with a mix of flakes and frozen bloodworms. Lighting is on for 8 hours a day with a planted tank LED. Any tips to cut down the algae without messing with the plants or stressing the fish?

[Bamda]

Algae blooms can be a pain, but you're on the right track with the water changes. Try reducing the lighting to 6 hours a day and see if that helps. Also, check if any direct sunlight hits the tank, even for a short time. I've had success with adding a few nerite snails, they're chill and won't bother your Discus. What's your substrate like? If it's nutrient-rich, that might be fueling the algae.

[finch]

I had the same issue in my 55-gallon. Cutting the light to 6 hours helped, but what really made a difference was adding floating plants like frogbit. They soak up excess nutrients and shade the tank a bit. Also, how old are your bulbs? Older LEDs can shift spectrum and encourage algae. Mine were about 2 years old, swapped 'em out and saw improvement.

[Fade]

I had the same issue in my 55-gallon. Cutting the light to 6 hours helped, but what really made a difference was adding floating plants like frogbit. They soak up excess nutrients and shade the tank a bit. Also, how old are your bulbs? Older LEDs can shift spectrum and encourage algae. Mine were about 2 years old, swapped 'em out and saw improvement.

Yep, floating plants are a game-changer. I use water lettuce in my 90-gallon, and it keeps the algae in check. Plus, the Discus seem to like the extra cover. What's your filter setup, jellybelly? A canister with good flow might help too.

[Mango]

I feel your frustration! Algae blooms are the worst. Have you tried adding some Seachem Purigen to your filter? It's great for pulling out organics that feed algae. Also, maybe cut back on feeding just a tad. I found my guys were leaving bits behind, and that was fueling the problem. Your water changes are solid, though, so keep that up!

[Lippyton]

Algae's a real buzzkill. I'd second the floating plants idea, but also look at your phosphate levels. High phosphates can turn your tank into an algae party. Test kit's cheap, and if it's high, a phosphate remover in the filter can cut it. What's your tank temp? Warmer water can speed up algae growth, but I know Discus like it toasty.

[Magus]

Everyone's got good points, but don't forget about CO2. If your plants aren't growing well, algae'll take over. I run a low-dose CO2 setup in my planted Discus tank, and it keeps the balance. Also, how often do you clean your filter? A dirty filter can dump nutrients back into the water. I rinse mine every 2 weeks in tank water.

[Lena]

I'm new to Discus, but my tank had algae until I got a UV sterilizer. It's pricey, but it nukes the algae spores in the water. My tank's been crystal clear for months now. Maybe overkill for some, but it worked for me.

[Wind]

I'm new to Discus, but my tank had algae until I got a UV sterilizer. It's pricey, but it nukes the algae spores in the water. My tank's been crystal clear for months now. Maybe overkill for some, but it worked for me.

UV's a solid option if nothing else works. I'd try the cheaper fixes first, though. Jellybelly, how's your plant growth? Healthy plants outcompete algae, so if they're struggling, maybe tweak your ferts. I use ThriveS and my plants are lush.

[Astrid]

Algae blooms often come down to imbalance. You've got good params, but let's dig deeper. What's your photoperiod split? I run my lights 4 hours on, 4 off, 4 on to disrupt algae growth without hurting plants. Also, what's your stocking density? Overcrowding can spike organics. And lastly, what's your water source? Tap water with high phosphates or silicates can be a hidden culprit.