I have 6 near-adult discus and 2 small pearl gouramis in a 75 gallon tank. They get a variety of commercial dry food, and occasional frozen brine shrimp.
They seemed healthy and active until recently, but a week ago I removed 2 BOT filters (Penguin 350s).
So why did I change filters? Well, everyone says the BOT filters don’t have enough surface area, and I’m switching to in-tank Poret foam filters. I did that gradually, putting the new filters in a couple weeks before taking the old ones out, so the new foam would have time to colonize. But after I took the BOT filters out, the discus became shy, lethargic, and lost appetite.
In response, I added airstones, changed water repeatedly, offered their favorite food (brine shrimp), reduced lighting, and finally put one of the BOT filters back. Not sure any of that made a difference.
Finally I wondered about water hardness, since I keep them in soft acidic water. I got an RO filter a few months ago, but I haven’t been adding tap water to the RO, like I previously did with rainwater (to warm it up.)
So I added 5 teaspoons of baking soda, and the next day I changed water again and added tap water. This afternoon they are more active, better color, and eating. Well, that was pretty stupid of me, but an easy fix, and surprisingly quick recovery—crisis resolved! The picture is today, eating flake food.
They seemed healthy and active until recently, but a week ago I removed 2 BOT filters (Penguin 350s).
So why did I change filters? Well, everyone says the BOT filters don’t have enough surface area, and I’m switching to in-tank Poret foam filters. I did that gradually, putting the new filters in a couple weeks before taking the old ones out, so the new foam would have time to colonize. But after I took the BOT filters out, the discus became shy, lethargic, and lost appetite.
In response, I added airstones, changed water repeatedly, offered their favorite food (brine shrimp), reduced lighting, and finally put one of the BOT filters back. Not sure any of that made a difference.
Finally I wondered about water hardness, since I keep them in soft acidic water. I got an RO filter a few months ago, but I haven’t been adding tap water to the RO, like I previously did with rainwater (to warm it up.)
So I added 5 teaspoons of baking soda, and the next day I changed water again and added tap water. This afternoon they are more active, better color, and eating. Well, that was pretty stupid of me, but an easy fix, and surprisingly quick recovery—crisis resolved! The picture is today, eating flake food.
