Discus Aquarium maintenance and cleaning
How Often do you Need to Clean Your Discus Fish Aquarium?
A dirty fish aquarium will only end in problems, so Discus aquarium maintenance and cleaning is not just for fish health although that’s the most important thing. A dirty fish tank is an ugly thing.
For Discus this needs to be at least twice per week. I’ve tried reducing it to once per week and I don’t think it works as well. The other one to test and I haven’t done it yet is changing a small amount of water everyday, rather than a larger amount less often. It’s up to you and how it fits in. As long as the water parameters test ok and the fish are happy keep doing what’s working.
Daily – in addition to feeding check everything to catch any issues early. Hiding fish, the water level, the filter connections etc. Strange filter noises can indicate many issues, most of which are best caught early. Check filter flow rates to catch blockages or if cleaning is required.
Weekly – I change 100 l twice per week (500 l tank). It’s HMA filtered water that is also run through some Nitrate removal resin. This has some plant fertilizer added and goes back to the tank at 30 degrees. On both water changes the glass is cleaned and the substrate is vacuumed.
The substrate must be cleaned regularly to remove uneaten food and fish excrement. The more often this is done the better. Remove as much dirt and dead plant matter as possible. Anything dead that should not be in there is making your water parameters decline. Remove it.
The glass and sides of the tank should also be cleaned (preferably before removing the water). Bacteria and parasites are easily removed from the glass and then they are taken out in the water change. So always clean the surfaces and then remove the water.
Monthly – Filters are checked and one is cleaned. Clean them alternately (if you have two or more), never both/all at the same time. This ensures one filter is working fully at all times.
TOP TIP – NEVER CLEAN A FILTER USING TAP WATER, ALWAYS USE OLD TANK WATER. NO CHEMICALS ARE NEEDED OR SHOULD BE USED.
TOP TIP 2 – The filter needs cleaning to prevent it becoming blocked. If flow is not reduced you do not necessarily need to clean it. When you do clean it be gentle with the filter sponges and do not clean the media too vigorously. The good bacteria in those filters need looking after and you do not want to clean it so thoroughly that they are removed or damaged. Do not turn the filters off for too long and the bacteria can start to decline when starved of new water.
TOP TIP 3 – Wash your hands and thoroughly rinse them before putting them in the tank.
Warning – You are mixing electrical items and water together so be extra careful. Turn things off as the two don’t mix well when your hands are in there.
Easy Water Changes
Moving a volume of water around a few times a week is never going to be fun with a bucket.
Check out this easy idea to speed things up.