Water, the key to rearing Discus
Preparation and changes

Most of the time when Discus start falling sick, it's because of poor water quality. Water is the important part of being successful in rearing healthy Discus. Water changes have to be made quite regularly. :0(

On average, 50% of water a week. There are some people who change small amounts everyday! I personally change my 50% of my water twice a week. Each has his own preference on how much to change, but no matter what, you still have to change. Am I right?

Discus are not like any other tropical fish. You are not going to be happy at the end, if you only do a small water change once a month. If you have chosen to keep Discus you must make the effort to do water changes on a regular basis.

How much water to change and how frequently are very commonly asked questions. Everyone's conditions are different and there are many different views on this area. To answer that, ask why do you change water?

So why do we change our water?

• The main reason is that it keeps bad bacteria at a lower level.
  
  
• It will also keep the nitrate, ammonia and nitrite levels low.
  
  
• Remove any harmful toxins that may be present in the water.
  
  
• Helps to get the trace elements into a better balance.
  
  
• For Discus faster growth, beauty, and overall health.

Faster growth? What does changing water got to do with the growth of Discus?

World renown Discus breeder Jack Wattley, believes that all discus secrete a growth suppressing hormone that builds up and slows the growth rate of other Discus. Changing water get rids of this hormone apparantly. Not only hormones but nitrates also plays a part in slowing a Discus growth. That's why some people put planted plants into their tanks.

Changing water does increase Discus growth and I have tried it myself. I had a new batch of 2 inch Discus and I placed them in a quarantine tank. 50% of the water was changed everyday and YES, they grew bigger and faster than I had ever seen. They were 3 inch in size in one months time. To make sure about my new discovery, I went back to the aquarium to check out the other Discus in the tank where I caught mine. Indeed they were much smaller than my Discus from the same batch.

Then I knew that Discus would grow at a faster rate with frequent water changes. I am not sure whether it's because of the hormones or anything else, but changing water has many benefits so why not do it?

For more about growth and what's affecting it, read another article of mine, entitled Stuffs that affect growth in Discus.

Thanks for reading my article!

Regards,
Sam Chng