Maximum Nitrate Level For Discus?

[jayjay55531]

If it matters, I'm talking about tank-bred red turquoise discus.
 
What is the maximum nitrate level they can tolerate before I need to do a water change?

 

[lalo99]

With discus I would not even try that. Give them weekly water changes at least and they should do well. Nitrates are not the only thing we remove with water changes. Hormones etc are also removed.

 

[onidrase]

Regular water changes must be done, but ideally the nitrates should stay below 20 or so. Since discus eat such a high protein diet, it doesn't take long for the nitrates to reach that high, especially when they're young.