discus fry tank cleaning tips

[Deepsea]

My discus fry tank's been getting cloudy fast, even with daily 50% water changes. Running a sponge filter, bare bottom, 20 gallons, temp at 84F. Feed them 4x a day with crushed flakes and baby brine. Any tips to keep it cleaner without stressing them?

[morse]

How often do you siphon the bottom? I had the same issue till I started vacuuming twice a day. Also, maybe cut back on the flakes, they're messy.

[swiftly]

How often do you siphon the bottom? I had the same issue till I started vacuuming twice a day. Also, maybe cut back on the flakes, they're messy.

Yep, flakes are sketchy for fry. Try switching to powdered fry food or more baby brine. Less waste, better growth. What's your ammonia reading? Cloudiness could be a bacterial bloom.

[Danca89]

I'd add some floating plants like frogbit. They suck up nitrates like crazy and give the fry cover. My 30-gallon fry tank stays crystal clear with them, even with heavy feeding. Just gotta trim 'em weekly.

[swiftDart]

Yo, ditch the sponge filter and grab a small HOB. Sponges are chill but don't cut it for bio load. I run a AquaClear 20 on my fry tank, zero cloudiness.

[StarD]

Are you using RO water? My fry tank stabilized when I switched from tap. Less mineral buildup, fewer algae issues. Also, check your light duration—keep it under 8 hours.

[Deepsea]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll try vacuuming more, switching foods, and adding plants. Ammonia's at 0, but nitrates creep up fast. Gonna test the HOB idea too.

[swiftly]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll try vacuuming more, switching foods, and adding plants. Ammonia's at 0, but nitrates creep up fast. Gonna test the HOB idea too.

Nitrates over 20ppm? That's your cloudiness culprit. Plants will help, but double-check your tap water's nitrate level too. Some municipal supplies are high.

[Danca89]

If nitrates are the issue, try Seachem Purigen in your filter. Stuff's magic for polishing water. Just recharge it with bleach every few months.

[morse]

Never thought about tap nitrates. Gonna test mine tonight. Good call.