Discus seems off, how would you recommend treating it?

[LizStreithorst]

Are you vacuuming the bottom with every WC?

[lpsouth1978]

Unfortunately, I am not. I work long hours , out of the house from 6am to after 7pm daily, and don't have an opportunity to vacuum every day. I try to vacuum each weekend as best I can. This is not the easiest setup to vacuum well.

I have been contemplating simplifying the setup and removing the sand and most of the organics from the system. I just have not had the time to tackle that project.

[LizStreithorst]

I would recommend you remove the sand. The driftwood and plants on them are fine. If you can siphon the sand out little by little you can leave the fish in the tank while you remove a portion of sand with every WC.

[lpsouth1978]

I should have time this weekend to work on removing sand. Also, I tested my GH and KH this evening and found that both are at 2, definitely soft, but not totally lacking in buffering capacity.

[slicksta]

Unfortunately, I am not. I work long hours , out of the house from 6am to after 7pm daily, and don't have an opportunity to vacuum every day. I try to vacuum each weekend as best I can. This is not the easiest setup to vacuum well.

I have been contemplating simplifying the setup and removing the sand and most of the organics from the system. I just have not had the time to tackle that project.

Get yourself at least 6 Albino bristlenose pleco... They do an excellent job of bottom cleanup as far as food is concerned. And if you have proper water flow across the bottom of the tank most of the waste should be picked up by the filter. If you see the bottom looking dirty, just skip feeding for a day
My tank is tightly packed micro sand and all I do is occasionally comb it with a old fish net to prevent dead spots from forming under the sand.
Not suggesting that you don't have to clean ever, but you will definitely notice the difference.