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What's the best feeding routine for Discus in a 75 gallon planted tank? I've been doing twice a day with flakes and frozen bloodworms, but they don't seem as vibrant as they used to be. Water params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, nitrate around 10 ppm. Tankmates are a few tetras and corys. Using a Fluval canister filter and keeping temp at 84°F.

Twice a day might not cut it for Discus, especially if they're juveniles. I feed mine 4 times a day, small portions of beef heart mix, frozen brine shrimp, and high-quality pellets. They're in a 100 gallon with sand substrate and driftwood. Temp's at 86°F, and I do 50% water changes twice a week. How old are yours?

Yep, beef heart's the way to go. Mine go nuts for it. I do 3 feedings a day, mix in some spirulina flakes for color. Tank's a 55 gallon with LED lights, plenty of java ferns. Water changes every 3 days, about 30%. They're chunky and happy. Maybe cut the flakes, they're kinda sketchy for nutrition.

Mine are adults. I feed them once a day. Is that too little?

TankWarrior wrote: ↑Fri Jun 27, 2025 12:14 am Twice a day might not cut it for Discus, especially if they're juveniles. I feed mine 4 times a day, small portions of beef heart mix, frozen brine shrimp, and high-quality pellets. They're in a 100 gallon with sand substrate and driftwood. Temp's at 86°F, and I do 50% water changes twice a week. How old are yours?

Thanks for the tips. Mine are about a year old. Gonna try beef heart and up the feedings.

Once a day's fine for adults, but they'll thrive with more. Just keep portions small to avoid messing with water quality. What's your substrate? Sand's better for them, less chance of food getting trapped.

silence wrote: ↑Fri Jun 27, 2025 1:35 am Mine are adults. I feed them once a day. Is that too little?

Nah, once's cool if they're not skinny. But if you wanna see 'em pop, try adding a second feeding with some variety. Mine love the beef heart mix, and it's cheap to make.

I have gravel substrate. Should I switch to sand?

Gravel's not ideal for Discus. Sand's easier to clean and safer for them. If you're gonna switch, do it slow to avoid stressing them out. Maybe add a thin layer first, see how they react.

Yeah, sand's the move. I switched last year, no regrets. Just gotta vacuum it gently during water changes. Also, keep an eye on the temp when you're changing stuff around, they're picky about that.