Who Gives A Fish Forums

What's the ideal surface agitation level for a planted tank with Discus? I've got a 75 gallon with a Fluval FX6, but the surface looks like a washing machine. Gonna mess with the flow, but not sure how much is too much.

I run my 55 gallon with a canister filter and keep the surface pretty calm. Discus don't like too much movement, but you gotta have some for gas exchange. Maybe dial it back a bit and see how they react.

Aidsy wrote: ↑Tue Aug 05, 2025 5:04 pm What's the ideal surface agitation level for a planted tank with Discus? I've got a 75 gallon with a Fluval FX6, but the surface looks like a washing machine. Gonna mess with the flow, but not sure how much is too much.

Yeah, that's way too much for Discus. They're chill fish, man. Try reducing the flow or adding a spray bar to diffuse it. My guys hate strong currents.

I've got a 60 gallon with Discus and a spray bar on my canister. Surface is just rippling, not splashing. They seem happy, and the plants aren't getting battered. Maybe try that setup?

Surface agitation is crucial for oxygen exchange, but Discus prefer slower flows. In a 75 gallon, aim for gentle rippling, not waves. The FX6 is overpowered for that tank unless you modify the output. A spray bar or lily pipe can help distribute the flow evenly. Also, watch your CO2 levels if you're injecting, as too much agitation will off-gas it faster.

My Discus tank is smaller, 40 gallons, but I keep the surface pretty still. They're not fans of strong currents. Maybe cut the flow by half and see how it goes?

The FX6 is a beast for a 75 gallon planted tank. You'll need to throttle it back or use a diffuser. Discus aren't river fish, they don't need that kind of flow.

Thanks for the tips, everyone. Gonna try the spray bar idea and see if that calms things down. Appreciate the help.

Aidsy wrote: ↑Tue Aug 05, 2025 9:18 pm Thanks for the tips, everyone. Gonna try the spray bar idea and see if that calms things down. Appreciate the help.

No problem. Let us know how it works out. Sometimes it's trial and error with these things.

Yeah, keep us posted. Discus can be picky, but once you find the sweet spot, they'll thrive. Good luck!