tank cleaning routine for discus

[Lexi]

What's your tank cleaning routine for discus? I've got a 75 gallon with 6 adults, sand substrate, and a canister filter. Doing 50% water changes twice a week but they still seem stressed after. Temp's at 84, pH 6.8. Maybe I'm missing something?

[oldRash]

Twice a week's solid, but stress could be from the sand. Fine sand traps debris, messes with water quality. Try vacuuming deeper during changes, and check nitrates before and after. My crew chills at 82, less fluctuation. Also, what's your flow like? Discus hate strong currents.

[Deepsea]

Twice a week's solid, but stress could be from the sand. Fine sand traps debris, messes with water quality. Try vacuuming deeper during changes, and check nitrates before and after. My crew chills at 82, less fluctuation. Also, what's your flow like? Discus hate strong currents.

Agreed on flow. I run a spray bar to diffuse output. Also, how old's your sand? Deep cleaning might stir up trapped toxins. Swap 1/3 of it monthly if it's over a year old.

[jovial]

Yep, sand's sneaky like that! My gang perked up after I switched to bare bottom. Way easier to spot gunk, and they're less skittish. Still do 50% changes, but now it's quick and clean. Maybe try a section bare for a week, see if they vibe with it?

[River]

Bare bottom's a game changer, but if you're attached to sand, layer it thin. 1 inch max. Also, what's your water change method? Dumping cold water straight in shocks them. I preheat replacement water to 84, drip it in over 30 mins. No more stress dances.

[gold]

yo, drip's the move. my dudes used to freak til i got a drip system. now they don't even notice changes. also, you testing for chlorine? even if you condition, some tap's sketchy. grab a cheap chlorine test, just in case.

[jason]

yo, drip's the move. my dudes used to freak til i got a drip system. now they don't even notice changes. also, you testing for chlorine? even if you condition, some tap's sketchy. grab a cheap chlorine test, just in case.

Chlorine's a big one. Municipal water often spikes it seasonally. I double-dose Prime during changes as a buffer. Also, check your canister maintenance—clogged media can leach nitrates. Clean it monthly if you're not already.

[Lexi]

Thanks, all! Gonna try the drip method and thin the sand. Didn't realize flow could bug them—my filter's wide open. Will dial it back and report.

[Dapper]

Happy to help! One more thing—lighting. If they're darting after changes, dim the lights for an hour. Mine act less spooked when it's moody in there. Like a fishy spa day.

[Lapad]

Happy to help! One more thing—lighting. If they're darting after changes, dim the lights for an hour. Mine act less spooked when it's moody in there. Like a fishy spa day.

Second this. I run blue LEDs during changes, mimics dusk. Also, feed them after—distracts from the chaos. They'll associate changes with snacks, not stress.