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discus tank water change mistakes
Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2025 2:49 pm
by rockel
Been doing water changes every week, but my fish still look stressed. What am I doing wrong? I use a 75-gallon tank, keep the temp at 84°F, and have a canister filter. Substrate is sand, and I feed them beef heart mix twice a day. Water params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10 nitrate. They just seem off, like they're not vibing with the routine.
Re: discus tank water change mistakes
Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2025 3:52 pm
by SeaAqua
rockel wrote: ↑Sun Jul 06, 2025 2:49 pm
Been doing water changes every week, but my fish still look stressed. What am I doing wrong? I use a 75-gallon tank, keep the temp at 84°F, and have a canister filter. Substrate is sand, and I feed them beef heart mix twice a day. Water params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10 nitrate. They just seem off, like they're not vibing with the routine.
How much water are you changing each time? If it's more than 50%, that could shock them. Also, are you matching the temp and pH of the new water exactly? Even a slight difference can mess with them.
Re: discus tank water change mistakes
Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2025 5:02 pm
by vivid22
I had the same issue last month. Turns out my tap water had chloramines, and my conditioner wasn't cutting it. Switched to Seachem Prime and did smaller changes, like 20% every 3 days. They chilled out after a week. Maybe try that?
Re: discus tank water change mistakes
Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2025 5:47 pm
by Guardian
Yep, chloramines are sketchy. Also, how's your flow? If the filter's too strong, it might stress them out during changes. I dial mine back when adding new water. And yeah, Prime's the way to go.
Re: discus tank water change mistakes
Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2025 6:06 pm
by Lionheart
Are you vacuuming the substrate during changes? Disturbing the sand too much can release trapped gunk and spike params. I only do light surface cleaning unless it's really dirty.
Re: discus tank water change mistakes
Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2025 7:22 pm
by Paisa
vivid22 wrote: ↑Sun Jul 06, 2025 5:02 pm
I had the same issue last month. Turns out my tap water had chloramines, and my conditioner wasn't cutting it. Switched to Seachem Prime and did smaller changes, like 20% every 3 days. They chilled out after a week. Maybe try that?
This is solid advice. Discus are sensitive to water chemistry shifts. I'd also check your TDS. If it's fluctuating more than 50 ppm between changes, that's a problem. Use a TDS pen to monitor.
Re: discus tank water change mistakes
Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2025 9:09 pm
by Playful
Another thing: are you aging your water? Letting it sit for 24 hours with an airstone helps off-gas chlorine and stabilize temp. I use a brute trash can with a heater and pump. Game-changer for my crew.
Re: discus tank water change mistakes
Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2025 9:30 pm
by mole
Playful wrote: ↑Sun Jul 06, 2025 9:09 pm
Another thing: are you aging your water? Letting it sit for 24 hours with an airstone helps off-gas chlorine and stabilize temp. I use a brute trash can with a heater and pump. Game-changer for my crew.
Aging's key, especially if your tap's pH swings. I also add a bit of crushed coral to my storage barrel to buffer it. Keeps things steady.
Re: discus tank water change mistakes
Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2025 10:10 pm
by dawny
Honestly, I'd cut back on feeding before changes too. Less waste means less ammonia spike. I skip the morning feed on change days. They might beg, but it's worth it.
Re: discus tank water change mistakes
Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2025 10:16 pm
by rockel
Thanks for all the tips, everyone. Gonna try smaller changes with aged water and check my TDS. Appreciate the help!