I've had discus for a few years, but I've only ever bought adults, 6+ inches. Now I'm trying my hand at growing these 7 juvies from Uncle Sam's. I'll share my feed and water change routine, plus some pics.
I feed 4-5 times a day - pellets and flake food for the first 3-4 feedings, then beef heart at night. Occasionally, I give them frozen blood worms. I change 50-70% of the water every other day. I've heard growing discus is tough, so I'd love some advice on my routine.
The guy at Uncle Sam's said 25% once or twice a week, but has anyone had success growing juvies with that schedule? Will once a week water changes work, or am I on the right track?
Growing Juvies (need advice)
Re: Growing Juvies (need advice)
Re: Growing Juvies (need advice)
Rotated, I'd like to share my experience with growing discus juvies. I've been keeping discus for a few years, but always bought 6+ inch adults. This is my first time trying to grow juvies, and I've got 7 Uncle Sams Discus.
My current routine is feeding 4-5 times a day - pellets and flake food for the first 3-4 feedings, and beef heart at night. Occasionally, I add frozen blood worms to the mix. Water changes are 50-70% every other day. I know some people say growing discus is tough, so I'd love to hear your thoughts on my routine.
The guy at Uncle Sams suggested 25% water changes once or twice a week, but I'm not sure if that's enough. Have you had any success growing juvies? Can you get away with once a week water changes, or am I on the right track with my current routine?
Rotated, I'd like to share my experience with growing discus juvies. I've been keeping discus for a few years, but always bought 6+ inch adults. This is my first time trying to grow juvies, and I've got 7 Uncle Sams Discus.
My current routine is feeding 4-5 times a day - pellets and flake food for the first 3-4 feedings, and beef heart at night. Occasionally, I add frozen blood worms to the mix. Water changes are 50-70% every other day. I know some people say growing discus is tough, so I'd love to hear your thoughts on my routine.
The guy at Uncle Sams suggested 25% water changes once or twice a week, but I'm not sure if that's enough. Have you had any success growing juvies? Can you get away with once a week water changes, or am I on the right track with my current routine?
Re: Growing Juvies (need advice)
Re: Growing Juvies (need advice)
Frequent water changes are key for juvies as they need replenished nutrients for proper development. Large and frequent water changes help promote faster growth in them.
Frequent water changes are key for juvies as they need replenished nutrients for proper development. Large and frequent water changes help promote faster growth in them.
Re: Growing Juvies (need advice)
Re: Growing Juvies (need advice)
Hi Kargo, daily large water changes would be the way to go in my opinion. Beef heart, in particular, requires this. I'm not convinced Uncle Sams gave you the best advice on water changes. Your juvies look healthy though, you got lucky with those ones. I've seen some not-so-great fish come from them before.
Hi Kargo, daily large water changes would be the way to go in my opinion. Beef heart, in particular, requires this. I'm not convinced Uncle Sams gave you the best advice on water changes. Your juvies look healthy though, you got lucky with those ones. I've seen some not-so-great fish come from them before.
Re: Growing Juvies (need advice)
Re: Growing Juvies (need advice)
Your discus look great. Keep up the good work with water changes and feedings. I'm curious, how big were they when you got them? They seem to be around 4-5 inches now. Should grow to 6 inches or more, I'd say. I had a similar experience with mine, they reached 6 inches after a year.
Your discus look great. Keep up the good work with water changes and feedings. I'm curious, how big were they when you got them? They seem to be around 4-5 inches now. Should grow to 6 inches or more, I'd say. I had a similar experience with mine, they reached 6 inches after a year.
Re: Growing Juvies (need advice)
Re: Growing Juvies (need advice)
Frequent, large water changes are key when it comes to juvies. Nothing else can compensate for this.
Frequent, large water changes are key when it comes to juvies. Nothing else can compensate for this.
Re: Growing Juvies (need advice)
Re: Growing Juvies (need advice)
Thanks for the advice, I appreciate the input. I'll stick with my 50% water change every other day for the next few months. I'm glad you guys like the discus, I was able to hand pick them when I visited Uncle Sams in LA.
Thanks for the advice, I appreciate the input. I'll stick with my 50% water change every other day for the next few months. I'm glad you guys like the discus, I was able to hand pick them when I visited Uncle Sams in LA.
Re: Growing Juvies (need advice)
Re: Growing Juvies (need advice)
Thanks for the compliment, I appreciate it. The juvies were between 3.4 and 4 inches when I picked them up. Slowly but surely, they're putting on some size.
Thanks for the compliment, I appreciate it. The juvies were between 3.4 and 4 inches when I picked them up. Slowly but surely, they're putting on some size.
Re: Growing Juvies (need advice)
Re: Growing Juvies (need advice)
I'll take that on board, thanks for the advice. I'm thinking of bumping up the water change to 60% every other day. Would that be sufficient or should I really be doing it daily?
I'll take that on board, thanks for the advice. I'm thinking of bumping up the water change to 60% every other day. Would that be sufficient or should I really be doing it daily?
Re: Growing Juvies (need advice)
Re: Growing Juvies (need advice)
Originally posted by Kargo
copy that I will do 60% water changes every other day. Does that sound good enough or should I do every day?
60% water changes every other day will definitely support the growth of your discus. The frequency and amount of water changes you do ultimately determines the size of your discus. Most discus farms in Asia, where Uncle Sam's imports their fish from, perform 100-300% daily water changes to maximize growth and quickly get a return on their investment.
For your discus, the first time they experienced less than pristine water was likely when they were transferred to Uncle Sam's, followed by your tank. Not everyone is set up for large frequent water changes, but that's a key factor in promoting rapid growth.
Originally posted by Kargo
copy that I will do 60% water changes every other day. Does that sound good enough or should I do every day?
60% water changes every other day will definitely support the growth of your discus. The frequency and amount of water changes you do ultimately determines the size of your discus. Most discus farms in Asia, where Uncle Sam's imports their fish from, perform 100-300% daily water changes to maximize growth and quickly get a return on their investment.
For your discus, the first time they experienced less than pristine water was likely when they were transferred to Uncle Sam's, followed by your tank. Not everyone is set up for large frequent water changes, but that's a key factor in promoting rapid growth.