discus breeding tank lighting

[Finny]

What's the best lighting setup for a breeding tank? I've got a 55-gallon with a pair of Discus, sand substrate, and some Java Ferns. Water params are stable, 82°F, pH 6.5. They're laying eggs but not hatching, and I'm wondering if the lighting's too bright. Using a basic LED strip, 12 hours a day.

[wade]

Yo, Finny, I'd cut the light to 8 hours max. Breeding pairs need dimmer vibes, like a 6500K LED at 50% intensity. I run mine with a timer, 7am to 3pm, and they've been popping out fry like crazy. Also, toss in some floating plants to diffuse the light. Works like a charm.

[solarkey]

Agree with wade on the shorter photoperiod. I've found that Discus prefer subdued lighting during breeding. My setup's similar, 75-gallon, driftwood, and Anubias. I use a programmable LED with a sunrise/sunset feature to mimic natural conditions. Eggs hatch way better now. What's your water change routine? That can affect spawning too.

[Finny]

Yo, Finny, I'd cut the light to 8 hours max. Breeding pairs need dimmer vibes, like a 6500K LED at 50% intensity. I run mine with a timer, 7am to 3pm, and they've been popping out fry like crazy. Also, toss in some floating plants to diffuse the light. Works like a charm.

Thanks for the tip! Gonna try reducing the light and adding some Frogbit. I do 30% water changes twice a week, temp-matched. Hoping this does the trick.

[giggle]

Lighting's crucial, but don't overlook the tannins. I add Catappa leaves to my breeding tank, and the Discus love it. Lowers pH slightly and gives a natural, dimmer environment. My pair spawned successfully under a Nicrew LED at 6000K, 6 hours daily. Also, keep the tank away from direct sunlight.

[3monkeys]

Agree with wade on the shorter photoperiod. I've found that Discus prefer subdued lighting during breeding. My setup's similar, 75-gallon, driftwood, and Anubias. I use a programmable LED with a sunrise/sunset feature to mimic natural conditions. Eggs hatch way better now. What's your water change routine? That can affect spawning too.

Exactly. I've tested different spectrums, and 5000K–6500K works best. Too blue or red can stress them. My breeding tank's got a dimmer switch, so I adjust based on their behavior. Fry survival rate jumped from 50% to 80% after tweaking the lights.

[Jurn]

Man, this lighting stuff is wild. I just threw in a cheap LED from Amazon, and my Discus are like, nah. Gonna try y'all's advice. Got a 40-gallon, sponge filter, and some driftwood. Water's at 84°F, pH 6.8. How long before I see results after changing the lights?

[SlateFang]

Ditch the cheap LED, bro. Get something adjustable. I messed with my lights for weeks before my pair finally spawned. Now I run a Finnex 24/7, but keep it on a low setting. Tank's got black substrate, which seems to chill them out. Also, feed 'em live blackworms to get 'em in the mood.

[solarkey]

Man, this lighting stuff is wild. I just threw in a cheap LED from Amazon, and my Discus are like, nah. Gonna try y'all's advice. Got a 40-gallon, sponge filter, and some driftwood. Water's at 84°F, pH 6.8. How long before I see results after changing the lights?

Give it 2–3 weeks after adjusting the lighting. Consistency's key. Also, monitor their behavior—if they're hiding less and guarding eggs more, you're on the right track. What's your current photoperiod?

[wade]

Yo, SlateFang, black substrate's a solid move. I switched to it last year, and my Discus colored up way better. Still, lighting's the main thing. Jurn, if you're gonna cheap out, at least get a dimmer. Those fixed-intensity LEDs are sketchy for breeding. My fry tank's got a Hygger, and it's been clutch.