fish_newbie

Hi, I have a 70 gallon tank and planning to keep from 6-8 juvenile discus along with about 20 neons and 20 rummy nose tetras. I've heard that discuss require pristine water and recommended 50% water change a week, for me that is 128L or 13 standard buckets. That is a lot of water and in Australia we are having a drought and water is pretty much treasured. So I'm just wondering if by having a big tank, do I still have to do 50% water change, because if so, 50% of smaller tank would be less. I'm currently having 5 medium size angels, a pleco, 20 neons, a juvenile black ghost knife and doing 6 buckets (approx 60L) a week (including gravel vaccumm) and water parameters are perfect. ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 8. Do i have to make any changes when keeping the discus, I don't want water to be wasted more than necessary. Thanks in advance.

aquarist48

Here is a link concerning Discus care that you may find helpful.
DISCUS CARE SHEET

http://www.fishlore.com/Profiles-Discus.htm

capekate

good morning
You will have to do that water change at the very least, once a week. With 20 neons and 20 tetras including 6-8 Discus in a 70g tank you are going to probably end up needing to do that water change twice a week. In a drought area such as what you are experiencing in Australia, I would really re-consider going with large tanks and not add sensitive fish that need the twice a week water changes. Some Discus owners change their water every day, so what you are looking at here is a lot of water usage. You really need to think about that.