ammonia spikes in discus tank fix

[Slybird]

My 75-gallon Discus tank keeps having ammonia spikes, even with weekly 50% water changes. I've got a Fluval FX6, sand substrate, and a bunch of Amazon swords. Tankmates are 6 Cardinals and 2 Rams. Feeding twice a day with frozen bloodworms and pellets. Any ideas why this keeps happening?

[Deepsea]

First, cut back on feeding. Bloodworms are messy, and overfeeding is a common cause. Try once a day, and see if the spikes stop. Also, check your filter media. If it's clogged, beneficial bacteria can't do their job. What's your nitrate level? High nitrates can hint at overstocking.

[Haterw]

Your tank's overstocked. Discus need way more space, and those Rams aren't helping. You're gonna crash the cycle if you don't fix this fast.

[dayton]

Your tank's overstocked. Discus need way more space, and those Rams aren't helping. You're gonna crash the cycle if you don't fix this fast.

Not necessarily. I've kept Discus in a 75 with similar stock, but you gotta stay on top of maintenance. How old is your tank? New setups are more prone to spikes.

[Nimbus]

I agree with Deepsea about feeding. Also, have you tested your tap water? Sometimes there's ammonia in there straight from the source. A good conditioner like Seachem Prime can help neutralize it.

[angelus]

Yo, try adding some floating plants like frogbit. They suck up ammonia like crazy. And maybe chill with the bloodworms, they're sketchy for water quality. Pellets are way cleaner.

[BoldRom]

What's your water change routine? If you're only doing 50% weekly, try splitting it into two 25% changes. More frequent smaller changes can stabilize things better.

[Slybird]

Thanks for the tips, everyone. I'll cut back on feeding and test my tap water. Tank's been running for about 8 months, so it's not new. Gonna try adding some frogbit too.

[Deepsea]

Thanks for the tips, everyone. I'll cut back on feeding and test my tap water. Tank's been running for about 8 months, so it's not new. Gonna try adding some frogbit too.

Good call. Also, check your filter flow. If it's too low, debris can build up and cause spikes.

[dayton]

Another thing, how often do you clean the sand? Detritus can get trapped and rot, causing ammonia. A gentle stir during water changes can help.