Growing out

[Cjbear087]

So I am thinking about going for a much bigger discus size now: 13-14cm. If they are this size, how long will I have to be doing the daily 50% water changes for so they dont get stunted, and once I am finished doing the grow out water changes how often and how much should I back off to changing the water? Thanks

[jwcarlson]

As you know, I don't have discus anymore. But the health of mine declined a lot without large, frequent water changes. I had to do at least three 80% changes per week or they weren't doing well in their 75 (with 8 grown discus). Once I put them in their 125, I was doing 3 changes of about 75% per week and they seemed to be OK.

[Cjbear087]

As you know, I don't have discus anymore. But the health of mine declined a lot without large, frequent water changes. I had to do at least three 80% changes per week or they weren't doing well in their 75 (with 8 grown discus). Once I put them in their 125, I was doing 3 changes of about 75% per week and they seemed to be OK.

So you also think that 3-4 50% changes weekly will be good? Keep in mind it’s probably more realistically like 70% because I have a line drawn in my tank for half of 350L, but the tank has a deep sand bed and lots of substrate so it’s more than half.

[LizStreithorst]

Your biggest problem will be the junk that settles into the substrate. I suggest you remove it and if you must, just add a sprinkling of sand to barely cover the bottom.

[Cjbear087]

Your biggest problem will be the junk that settles into the substrate. I suggest you remove it and if you must, just add a sprinkling of sand to barely cover the bottom.

I have been and will be doing lots of vacuuming, so I’ll make sure the sand stays relatively clean. Also I don’t really want to move any of the sand as I am happy with the scape I have made.

[jwcarlson]

I fully agree with Liz. You'll never keep the sand clean, I don't care how much you try to vacuum/clean it. But... it's ultimately your choice.

I think discus keeping, successful keeping anyway, really is about tradeoffs and sacrificing what's right for you vs. what's right for the fish. It's always best to change more water more frequently. It's always best to have less substrate. It's on you to balance those "bests" and come up with how you can reconcile your wants with what the discus need.

[fljones3]

Wrestled with gravel and sand at the beginning. When I removed my "clean" substrate is was very dirty. Like it has been mentioned, a sprinkling of sand is you desire.

[mleibowi]

I have ~190 total gals with a sump that turns my water over ~7-8x/hr. I have 15 discus, 10 Congos, 10 cardinal tetras and 10 rummy nose with 8 sterbai. I have driftwood and live plants with 1/4 inch of white sand substrate. I do 60-70% water changes twice per week and clean the sand. I used to do it 3x/week. My discus are thriving. I think it will come down to your filtration and bioload. Check your nitrates before water changes. I agree with others, a sand substrate is fine but I wouldn’t do a thick sand substrate. My QT and grow out tanks have sponges and are bare bottoms. It’s definitely easier to keep a bare bottom tank but I didn’t want that for my show/display tank. Best of luck.