Discus Water Flow

[Rorie]

I was in my LFS today and he had some really nice Discus....i have read the article about what to look for in discus, and from my inexperienced eyes, they looked really good!

Anyway, i was chatting to the owner, and mentioned i was looking for a second filter to bump up the filtration rate of my tank. He said that Discus like slower moving water. But i think i have heard this is a myth?

I am currently on 1200l/h filtration and 4000l/h with a power head. My aim is to get 2400l/h filtration and 4000l/h power head so better my tanks filtration and flowrate for plants. But is this wise if i am thinking about maybe getting discus in the future?

 

[snowflake311]

It's true they don't like the fast flow water but they deal with it. One half of my tank has a good flow and the other half is not as bad. They get kind of pushed around by fast water. They deal with it but you can tell they don't like it.

Water flow is good but too much would stress them out. I would not run a powerhead in a discus tank. They are not made for swim in fast water.

You can always turn the flow down on filters or get a spray bar.

 

[Rorie]

It's true they don't like the fast flow water but they deal with it. One hate of my tank has a good flow and the other half is not as bad. They get kind of pushed around by fast water. They deal with it but you can tell they don't like it.

Water flow is good but too much would stress them out. I would not run a powerhead in a discus tank. They are not made for swim in fast water.

You can always turn the flow down on filters or get a spray bar.

Thanks for the reply. I had to pump up the water flow to ensure even distribution of CO2.....i already have a spray bar the length of my tank! haha.

 

[simonas]

I;m aware they don;t like strong flow
My tank has a fair bit of flow from my fx5 however the discus do deal with it ok as the end the flow points to is where I feed to distribute the food and they race tehre when I open the hood

 

[snowflake311]

It's true they don't like the fast flow water but they deal with it. One hate of my tank has a good flow and the other half is not as bad. They get kind of pushed around by fast water. They deal with it but you can tell they don't like it.

Water flow is good but too much would stress them out. I would not run a powerhead in a discus tank. They are not made for swim in fast water.

You can always turn the flow down on filters or get a spray bar.

Thanks for the reply. I had to pump up the water flow to ensure even distribution of CO2.....i already have a spray bar the length of my tank! haha.

Just another reason why discus and planted tanks are not the best match. It can and will work but is not ideal. Crazy discus keepers only care about growing out perfect fish. Lots of the time this means bare bottom tanks. Are you going to get adult discus?

It's best to make the tank around the discus needs.

 

[Rorie]

Well, given everything with need to store RO water, low flow etc etc.... i am thinking Discus are not for me....just now anyway!

Once i get my plants sorted and understand their needs completely, then maybe i will venture into discus if it suits at the time!

Thanks for all your input

 

[snowflake311]

Well, given everything with need to store RO water, low flow etc etc.... i am thinking Discus are not for me....just now anyway!

Once i get my plants sorted and understand their needs completely, then maybe i will venture into discus if it suits at the time!

Thanks for all your input

Do the discus when you can set up a tank for their needs. You seem ready for them and should get them a go. But it might be a good ides to do plants and discus separate. Why not get a smaller tank for plants. Then give the discus the big tank. You have done so much research on them and sound ready.

 

[Rorie]

haha, i am normally easily bullied into doing things (my "I'll buy a cheap second filter on ebay" has turned into me buying a brand new Eheim!), but not sure on this occasion

I have done even more research into my plants, and they are currently on the go just now with my specialised planted tank.... so to shunt them into a smaller tank would upset me haha!

Maybe i will put the Discus into my small 90L instead and prioritise my plants....JUST KIDDING before anybody shouts at me hehe

I have plenty years yet to buy a bigger place and a fourth aquarium

 

[snowflake311]

Haha plants are nice. I have a small planted tank. I must say I get way more enjoyment from my discus. But someday you can get some once you have the plant thing under control.