Discus tank algae prevention

[Dory]

My Discus tank has been getting a lot of algae lately, especially on the glass and plants. I've got a 75-gallon tank with six adult Discus, sand substrate, and a mix of Java Fern and Anubias. Lighting is on for 8 hours a day, and I do 30% water changes twice a week. Using a Fluval canister filter and keeping temp at 84°F. Any tips to cut down on the algae without messing with the fish?

[River]

Algae can be a pain, especially with high lighting. I'd try reducing the light to 6 hours and see if that helps. Also, how often are you feeding? Overfeeding can contribute to algae. I've got a similar setup, 80 gallons with seven Discus, and I found that cutting back on flakes and using more frozen foods like bloodworms helped. What's your feeding routine like?

[Kargo]

I had the same issue in my 90-gallon. Besides lighting, check your nitrates. Mine were creeping up, and once I got them below 10 ppm, the algae slowed way down. I also added a few Nerite snails, and they've been great at cleaning the glass without bothering the Discus. What's your nitrate level at?

[Dory]

Algae can be a pain, especially with high lighting. I'd try reducing the light to 6 hours and see if that helps. Also, how often are you feeding? Overfeeding can contribute to algae. I've got a similar setup, 80 gallons with seven Discus, and I found that cutting back on flakes and using more frozen foods like bloodworms helped. What's your feeding routine like?

Thanks for the advice. I feed twice a day, mostly pellets and frozen brine shrimp. I'll try cutting back to once a day and see if that helps.

[River]

Yep, overfeeding is a common culprit. I'd also recommend adding some floating plants like Frogbit. They'll shade the tank a bit and soak up excess nutrients. I've got some in my tank, and they've made a noticeable difference. Plus, the Discus seem to like the cover.

[Kargo]

Yep, overfeeding is a common culprit. I'd also recommend adding some floating plants like Frogbit. They'll shade the tank a bit and soak up excess nutrients. I've got some in my tank, and they've made a noticeable difference. Plus, the Discus seem to like the cover.

Floating plants are a great idea. I've got Red Root Floaters in mine, and they've helped a ton. Just make sure they don't block too much light if you've got live plants below.

[River]

Another thing to consider is your water source. If you're using tap water, it might have high phosphates, which algae love. I switched to RO water with a remineralizer, and it made a big difference. What's your water source like?

[Kargo]

Good point about the water. I've been using tap with a phosphate remover in my filter, and it's worked pretty well. Also, make sure your filter media isn't clogged. A dirty filter can't keep up with the waste, and that'll feed the algae. How often do you clean your canister?

[Dory]

I clean the canister every 3 months, but maybe I should do it more often. I'll try the floating plants and cut back on feeding first. Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone.