Who Gives A Fish Forums

Good call on testing. Let us know how it goes. Also, consider a reflector upgrade if you're still using stock ones. Cheap way to boost PAR by 10–15%.

T5s can be tricky with Acros. What's your PAR reading at the coral's location? I've found they need at least 300–350 PAR under T5 to match LED intensity. Also, how old are the bulbs? They lose spectrum after 9–12 months.

Your buddy's sketchy advice might work for tetras, not Discus. They're messy eaters, especially if you're feeding beef heart. Stick with 50% unless your tap's got weird vibes (chloramines, etc.). Test before/after changes to dial it in.

Pale coloration can stem from stress or diet. What's your feeding routine? Are you using beef heart or other high-protein foods? Also, how often are you doing water changes? Discus thrive with frequent changes, like 50% twice a week.

Stick to reputable brands like Hikari or San Francisco Bay. Cheap stuff can have parasites. My discus are in a 100g, temp 84F, pH 6.6, and I've been using Hikari bloodworms for years with no issues. Tankmates are rummynose tetras and a few Corydoras. Filtration is dual sponge filters with a ...

Heater placement is critical for Discus. They're sensitive to temp swings. I'd recommend a backup thermometer too, just in case. What's your substrate? Sand can affect heat distribution.

84°F is good, but try bumping it to 86°F. Discus often need warmer water to trigger spawning. Also, check your KH—soft water below 3 dKH helps. I've had success with daily 20% water changes using RO mixed with a bit of tap to stabilize minerals. What's your lighting schedule? Dim lighting for 6-8 ...

One more thing, how's the tank height? Discus prefer taller tanks because they're vertical swimmers. If it's too shallow, they might feel exposed.

My discus have been acting super jumpy lately, darting around the tank whenever I walk by. Tank is a 75 gallon, temp at 84F, pH 6.8, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10 nitrate. They're about 4 months old, fed beef heart mix twice a day. Tankmates are 6 cardinal tetras and a pair of rams. Filter is a Fluval ...

Thanks for the tips. Gonna grab a second heater and an Inkbird. Room temp stays around 72F, but the Fluval's swings are stressing my fish. Appreciate the specifics on wattage too.