Re: Growing Juvies (need advice)
Yeah, that makes sense, I've seen those Asian discus farms too and how they do massive water changes daily, so I figured that's what I needed to do to get them growing.
Growing Juvies (need advice)
Re: Growing Juvies (need advice)
Re: Growing Juvies (need advice)
Originally posted by wilde
Your discus will certain grow with 60% W/C every other day. How much you do and how frequently is really a matter of how big you want them to be. Like nearly everyone else, Uncle Sam imports their fish from Asia. These fish were raised with 100% - 300% water changes daily, because that's what makes them grow the fastest. The faster they grow, the sooner the discus farms can get their money back.
From the perspective of the discus, the first time they haven't had clean water is when they went to Uncle Sam's, then into your tank. Not everyone is set up to make large water changes, but that's what makes them get big.
I'd like to add to this, if you want maximum growth and a healthy environment, daily water changes of 90-100% are ideal. This isn't just for growth, it also helps prevent diseases like fin rot and gill flukes. Large water changes dilute DOCs and pathogens, keeping your discus happy and healthy. I'd also recommend regular maintenance, like wiping down the glass and rinsing filter media. It's a lot of work, but the payoff is huge – think 6-inch discus in just 10 months.
Originally posted by wilde
Your discus will certain grow with 60% W/C every other day. How much you do and how frequently is really a matter of how big you want them to be. Like nearly everyone else, Uncle Sam imports their fish from Asia. These fish were raised with 100% - 300% water changes daily, because that's what makes them grow the fastest. The faster they grow, the sooner the discus farms can get their money back.
From the perspective of the discus, the first time they haven't had clean water is when they went to Uncle Sam's, then into your tank. Not everyone is set up to make large water changes, but that's what makes them get big.
I'd like to add to this, if you want maximum growth and a healthy environment, daily water changes of 90-100% are ideal. This isn't just for growth, it also helps prevent diseases like fin rot and gill flukes. Large water changes dilute DOCs and pathogens, keeping your discus happy and healthy. I'd also recommend regular maintenance, like wiping down the glass and rinsing filter media. It's a lot of work, but the payoff is huge – think 6-inch discus in just 10 months.
Re: Growing Juvies (need advice)
Re: Growing Juvies (need advice)
Originally posted by micsim
Just to re emphasize what wilde is saying, do 90-100% daily water changes if possible, not just for maximum growth, but also to minimize diseases like fin rot, gill flukes etc. Large water changes dilute DOC's as well as pathogens, thus keeping the discus happy and healthy. It's also a good idea to wipe down the slime on the glass once a week and rinse out your filter media regularly. It's a lot of work, but well worth it when you have healthy, 6 inch discus at just 10 months of age.
I'll do my best to follow that advice, I'll aim for daily 90-100% water changes and make sure to clean the tank regularly. Keeping the discus healthy is the main priority, so I'm willing to put in the extra work.
Originally posted by micsim
Just to re emphasize what wilde is saying, do 90-100% daily water changes if possible, not just for maximum growth, but also to minimize diseases like fin rot, gill flukes etc. Large water changes dilute DOC's as well as pathogens, thus keeping the discus happy and healthy. It's also a good idea to wipe down the slime on the glass once a week and rinse out your filter media regularly. It's a lot of work, but well worth it when you have healthy, 6 inch discus at just 10 months of age.
I'll do my best to follow that advice, I'll aim for daily 90-100% water changes and make sure to clean the tank regularly. Keeping the discus healthy is the main priority, so I'm willing to put in the extra work.
Re: Growing Juvies (need advice)
Re: Growing Juvies (need advice)
I'm doing daily 80% water changes with aged water, matching the temp of my display tank.
I'm doing daily 80% water changes with aged water, matching the temp of my display tank.
Re: Growing Juvies (need advice)
Re: Growing Juvies (need advice)
I'm gonna throw this out there, but I think some of the advice on here is a bit over the top. I get it, discus farms do massive water changes to grow their fish fast, but that's their business model. They don't have other responsibilities like we do.
I'm not trying to be negative, but telling people they need to do 80-100% water changes daily is just unrealistic for most of us. I mean, who has that kind of time? I've got a job, a family, and other stuff I like to do too, you know? It's not just about growing discus, it's about enjoying the hobby.
I think we're making discus keeping way more complicated than it needs to be. New people are gonna read this and think, "forget it, I don't have time for that." And honestly, I don't blame them. The normal growth rate is 5" in a year, so what's the rush?
I've got 7 Stendkers in a 65 gallon tank, and I do one 40-50% water change a week. I feed them a mix of foods, and I use non-aged tap water. I know, I know, it's not "ideal," but it works for me. The key is to keep an eye on your water levels and adjust as needed.
Let's be real, guys. We don't need to be doing massive water changes every day to grow healthy discus. Just be patient, be reasonable, and enjoy the ride.
I'm gonna throw this out there, but I think some of the advice on here is a bit over the top. I get it, discus farms do massive water changes to grow their fish fast, but that's their business model. They don't have other responsibilities like we do.
I'm not trying to be negative, but telling people they need to do 80-100% water changes daily is just unrealistic for most of us. I mean, who has that kind of time? I've got a job, a family, and other stuff I like to do too, you know? It's not just about growing discus, it's about enjoying the hobby.
I think we're making discus keeping way more complicated than it needs to be. New people are gonna read this and think, "forget it, I don't have time for that." And honestly, I don't blame them. The normal growth rate is 5" in a year, so what's the rush?
I've got 7 Stendkers in a 65 gallon tank, and I do one 40-50% water change a week. I feed them a mix of foods, and I use non-aged tap water. I know, I know, it's not "ideal," but it works for me. The key is to keep an eye on your water levels and adjust as needed.
Let's be real, guys. We don't need to be doing massive water changes every day to grow healthy discus. Just be patient, be reasonable, and enjoy the ride.