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Re: discus tank substrate pros cons
Posted: Wed May 07, 2025 4:39 am
by Jazzie
I'm team bare bottom for quarantine tanks, but display tanks need substrate. My show tank's got black sand, and the contrast with their colors is insane. 65-gallon, Tidal 110 filter, and I add catappa leaves for tannins.
Re: discus tank substrate pros cons
Posted: Wed May 07, 2025 6:09 am
by Lionheart
Gravel's too rough. Switched to sand last month, and the fish are less skittish. 50-gallon tank, AquaClear 70, and I keep the lights low to reduce stress. Water's at 84°F, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10 nitrate.
Re: discus tank substrate pros cons
Posted: Wed May 07, 2025 7:53 am
by faldo
keeper wrote: ↑Wed May 07, 2025 1:29 am
Dark sand mimics their natural habitat best. I use Estes Marine Sand in my 180-gallon, and the colors pop. Filtration's handled by dual FX6s, and I change 25% water daily for fry. Adults get beef heart mix every morning, brine shrimp at night.
Absolutely. Noticed my Discus show better coloration on dark substrate. Using a mix of black and white sand in my 200-gallon, with a massive planted section. Filtration's a beast—two Fluval FX4s and a UV clarifier.
Re: discus tank substrate pros cons
Posted: Wed May 07, 2025 8:16 am
by swiftly
Sand's easier to clean than folks think. Just hover the siphon an inch above it during water changes. My 75-gallon's got a thin layer, temp's 82°F, and I feed a homemade beef heart mix. Tankmates are just a school of Rummy Nose.
Re: discus tank substrate pros cons
Posted: Wed May 07, 2025 8:40 am
by bajil
Substrate's personal preference, but sand's safer. My 60-gallon's bare except for a few river rocks, and the Discus are healthy but bored. Planning to add sand next month. Running a Rena Filstar XP3, temp at 83°F.