is discus tank too crowded?

[purered]

Man, I'd be sweating with that many big fish in there! My rule is 1 Discus per 15 gallons if you wanna keep it comfy. But hey, if they're vibing and your water's on point, roll with it. Just stay sharp on those water changes.

[sunsets]

I've got a 75-gallon tank with 8 adult Discus, a school of 12 Cardinal Tetras, and 6 Corydoras. The Discus are around 5-6 inches each. I do 50% water changes twice a week, pH is stable at 6.5, temp at 84°F. They seem fine but I'm worried about space. Am I pushing it?

Technically, you're at the upper limit. The general rule is 10 gallons per adult Discus, but your water change routine is excellent. If they're not showing stress, you might be okay, but I'd consider upgrading if you notice any issues. Also, keep an eye on nitrates—they can spike faster in a stocked tank.

Exactly this. Nitrates are the silent killer. Test weekly, and if they creep past 20ppm, it's time to act. Also, how's your filtration? Over-filtering is key in tight setups.

[jolvy]

Thanks for the input, everyone. They're eating well and no aggression, but I'll monitor closely. Might start planning for a bigger tank—just gotta convince the spouse!

[jolvy]

Thanks for the input, everyone. They're eating well and no aggression, but I'll monitor closely. Might start planning for a bigger tank—just gotta convince the spouse!

[jolvy]

Thanks for the input, everyone. They're eating well and no aggression, but I'll monitor closely. Might start planning for a bigger tank—just gotta convince the spouse!

[Lion]

Good call. Crowding's a slow burn. I'd also skip adding more tankmates. Those Cardinals and Corys are fine, but anything else could tip the scales. And yeah, good luck with the spouse—mine still side-eyes my 150-gallon 'living room centerpiece.'

[BlondeBloom]

I'm new to Discus, but this thread's super helpful. Sounds like water changes are the hero here. How often do you all test parameters?

[sunny]

I test mine every water change, so twice a week. Keeps things steady. Also, OP, your temp's perfect—stable warmth is huge for Discus.

[sunny]

I test mine every water change, so twice a week. Keeps things steady. Also, OP, your temp's perfect—stable warmth is huge for Discus.

[sunny]

I test mine every water change, so twice a week. Keeps things steady. Also, OP, your temp's perfect—stable warmth is huge for Discus.