discus breeding tank water clarity

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Playful
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Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 12:42 am

discus breeding tank water clarity

Post by Playful »

My breeding tank water keeps getting cloudy a few days after water changes. I've got a 75-gallon tank with six adult Discus, sand substrate, and a Fluval FX4 filter. Temp's at 84°F, pH 6.5, and I do 50% water changes every other day. Feeding beef heart mix twice daily. Any ideas why the water's not staying clear?
Swiftsea
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Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 6:16 pm

Re: discus breeding tank water clarity

Post by Swiftsea »

Cloudiness could be bacterial blooms from overfeeding. Beef heart's high in protein and can mess with your bio load if you're not careful. Cut back to once daily and see if it clears up. Also, check your filter media, might need a rinse in tank water.
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micsim
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Joined: Sat Feb 12, 2022 3:50 pm

Re: discus breeding tank water clarity

Post by micsim »

I have same problem but smaller tank. 40 gallons, 4 Discus. Water cloudy after 2 days. Use sponge filter. Maybe need more filtration?
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coralCartel
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Joined: Tue May 03, 2022 10:48 am

Re: discus breeding tank water clarity

Post by coralCartel »

Swiftsea wrote: Fri Sep 12, 2025 6:16 pm Cloudiness could be bacterial blooms from overfeeding. Beef heart's high in protein and can mess with your bio load if you're not careful. Cut back to once daily and see if it clears up. Also, check your filter media, might need a rinse in tank water.
Yep, agree with Swiftsea. Beef heart's messy stuff. Try adding some purigen to your filter, it's a game changer for clarity.
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Playful
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Re: discus breeding tank water clarity

Post by Playful »

Thanks for the tips. Gonna try cutting back on feeding and check the filter media. Appreciate it!
Haterw
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Joined: Thu Aug 03, 2023 10:47 am

Re: discus breeding tank water clarity

Post by Haterw »

Your tank's too small for six Discus. That's the issue. Crowding causes waste buildup, no matter how much you clean.
StarD
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Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 6:16 pm

Re: discus breeding tank water clarity

Post by StarD »

I've had luck with adding more plants. Java fern and anubias help keep water clear. Also, try a UV sterilizer if it's persistent. Works wonders for me in my 55-gallon.
digger
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Joined: Wed Aug 02, 2023 2:49 pm

Re: discus breeding tank water clarity

Post by digger »

What's your nitrate level? High nitrates can cause cloudiness too. Test it next time it gets hazy.
gleek2
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Joined: Fri Aug 02, 2024 8:03 am

Re: discus breeding tank water clarity

Post by gleek2 »

Haterw wrote: Sat Sep 13, 2025 8:48 am Your tank's too small for six Discus. That's the issue. Crowding causes waste buildup, no matter how much you clean.
Nah, 75 gallons is fine for six if you're on top of maintenance. It's more about the feeding routine, like others said.
Ridgerider
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Joined: Sat Oct 12, 2024 6:30 pm

Re: discus breeding tank water clarity

Post by Ridgerider »

I use a canister filter with ceramic media. Never had cloudiness. Maybe upgrade your filtration?
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