best discus tank water flow setup

[SunDay]

Flow's gotta match the fish's size. My juvies hated my FX4, but now they're 5 inches, and it's fine. Tank's 75 gallons, sand substrate, with a bunch of anubias. Temp's 84°F. I'd say baffle it now, then remove the baffle as they grow. How's your feeding response? Stressed fish won't eat well.

[dWright]

I'm team sponge filter for juvies. Cheap, gentle, and easy to clean. My 55 gallon's got two sponges and a small powerhead for circulation. Discus are 3 inches, with ember tetras. Sand substrate, temp's 83°F. Flow's just enough to keep the surface moving. Maybe overkill, but they're thriving.

[solarkey]

The FX4's overkill for juvies. I'd switch to a gentler filter or baffle the heck out of it. My 75's got an Eheim Classic 350, and the flow's perfect. Sand substrate, with some driftwood and java moss. Temp's 85°F. Discus are 4 inches and super active. How's your water change routine? Stable params help with flow stress.

[lyaka]

High flow's a no-go for juvies. I'd baffle the FX4 or swap it for something milder. My 75's got a pair of AquaClear 50s, and the Discus are calm. Sand substrate, with some crypts and driftwood. Temp's 84°F. Flow's gentle but enough to keep the tank clean. How's your feeding schedule? Stressed fish eat less.

[midas]

I'd go with a spray bar on the FX4. Distributes the flow evenly, and you can adjust the holes for less pressure. My 90's got sand and a bunch of plants. Discus are 5 inches, with harlequin rasboras. Temp's 83°F. Spray bar's a game-changer for high-flow filters.

[sonyx]

Thanks for all the advice, everyone. Gonna try baffling the FX4 with a sponge first. If that doesn't cut it, I'll look into a spray bar or smaller filters. Appreciate the tips on sand maintenance too. I'll keep an eye on their feeding and behavior.