10% WC every 3 weeks? These guys are doing it

[Arcturus]

Hello guys, just wanted to share something that might go more than one flip out, but a lot of people in Mexico are keeping discus and altums with 10% WC every 3 weeks. How they do it? They've built very good sump filtration which includes k1, double sand beds for nitrate control, and quartz bio balls to "polish" the water. Just the media for these setups costs between $1500 and $2000, but the results speak for themselves. I want to pull out something similar. I'm sharing these videos for you to see it for yourselves. They're in Spanish, though:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuedoLr2Rcg&t=247s check minute 7

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBQl703YDnw&t=1914s check minute 14:40

[jwcarlson]

Small sample size here, but I find it hard to believe that with those massive sumps that they're not evaporating off more than 10% every week. Let alone close to a month. Of course, there are a ton of factors here. Do they mention how long they've been keeping the fish successfully in these systems? I think that's the real trick. If it's been set up for six weeks, I don't think it's particularly notable.

[fljones3]

You can pay for a lot of water for $2000.
I am very suspicious of their claims long-term.

[LizStreithorst]

I'll keep doing what has always worked for me...Large daily WC and sponge filters.

[For100]

The water change dilema strikes again!!!!!!! Hahahahaha

I guess I am old fashion, I won’t change what I think is right,
I am incline to say it works for what his goals are.
All world champion breeders cannot be wrong, frequent water changes and good food = Big beautiful discus

PS, I am not saying his method if flawed.

[Arcturus]

They do say they add water for evap, though. They've been keeping them for years. They say nitrates stay at 0. They swear by it.

[brewmaster15]

Tank set ups like those are beautiful tanks but they are display tanks. They are generally understocked and maintenance fed. They are not tanks for growing discus out to large sizes. Im sure they work fine for what they are though I always caution people when they see a 10-20 min snapshot of a set up at its best.

The heavy use of pothos and Philodendron monstera is going to help alot with nitrates... so if they are low I don't doubt it.

Theres nothing wrong with these tanks though I think you can do similar without taking on such huge financial costs. Its all basic fishkeeping principles really.

Its not much use to me though. My goals are more towards breeding and raising fry quickly and as large as I can..these setups though attractive really are useless to that goal.

There are many ways to keep discus.. it really depends on your goals.

Al

[Arcturus]

Yeah, I agree, they're not focusing on raising fry. Do you think I could have the same success using lots of Matrix instead of those expensive quartz bio balls?

[brewmaster15]

Yeah, I agree, they're not focusing on raising fry. Do you think I could have the same success using lots of Matrix instead of those expensive quartz bio balls?

I don't see why not. You just need surface area for Bacteria to Grow on that gets adequate water/oxygen.