Stress Coat and Discus

[AngelMom]

HI all!

Well, I've always used Stress Coat with all my water changes (even those using RO/DI water) to help the fish with the stress as well as dechlorinating. Turns out that this might not be such a good thing for discus! I've been having minor issues with my discus tank and had a long chat with my LFS guy a few days ago (he & his wife are into discus big time). Apparenntly, since discus secrete a higher than normal slime coating to begin with, adding aloe vera to the water makes it too thick and causes more harm than good........too much slime coating interferes with the osmosis process.

Just thought I'd post a comment on this for those who have discus. (Lloyd.......you are one I had in mind)

[Jaimecid]

There is always something new to learn....good you found out !
Discus are so nice and impresive.....definitely on my future list!

[Buddha_Red]

i am very thankful mom, after all this time, every post you type gives me something new to learn. I dont know where i would have been when i started without you.

well done :AP

[lloyd berg]

my particular problem, if it can be identified so simply, seems to be a lack of slime altogether. they seem to grey over ther brow and disassociate from the group. they join at feeding but seem put off if the frenzy of others becomes excessive. in other words, they won't fight for it. they swim with fins clamped and loose weight very slowly. my first death occurred 2 days ago. i euthanized the fish after 15 days of quaranteen. this fish has been on my sick list for 5 months (no crap). it took that long for it to finally quit eating.
i can run the list of med treatments that seemed useless and i have a brief list of (?)successes. i did get a response from both copper treatment and eurythromycin. a relapse of symptoms occurred post treatment in both cases.
i am watching closely as the next fish seems to be exhibiting early signs of same. interestingly, the 'tank raised' seem unaffected by this demise. it has been exclusive to the wilds. i would appreciate a referral to anyone with interest or experience.
thanks,angelmom.

[crazyred]

So, knowing this about discus, what should one use to condition the water? It seems nearly all dechlorinators on the market claim to aid in development of the slime coat. What can you use instead? I guess if your using RODI water and minerals (which is what I would HAVE to do if I ever get drunk and stoned and decide to get discus :LOL--they are very beautiful, but seem difficult to the max to keep) then you wouldn't need to worry about dechlorinator. Good info A.mom!

[AngelMom]

A couple of other issues we discussed were plant fertilizer and RO/DI water changes.

My first female became very thin......looked like a cancer patient! He thinks it is because I am using RO/DI water and that the mineral replacement treatments are missing something......said she sounds like she was dehydrated. He suggested that I do every 4th water change with tap water.

On the plant food, he suggested cutting back as much as possible as the stuff may be irritating them. I'm planning on going to a 1/2 dose and see what happens.

I did my weekly water change Saturday with tap water and added no plant food.........my big male is already looking better, so I am hopeful that this may solve my problem.

You also might be able to find some help here: http://www.awforum.net/discus/
They have a section on wild discus.

HTH

[AngelMom]

So, knowing this about discus, what should one use to condition the water? It seems nearly all dechlorinators on the market claim to aid in development of the slime coat. What can you use instead?
I also keep on hand Aquarium Pharmeceuticals "Tap Water Conditioner". It clears the chlorin, chloramines and heavy metals, but no aloe.

[crazyred]

Handy to know A.mom.....this is all so valuable, you can overdo the RODI even for discus? Wow, I would have never imagined that.

[DevinJM]

Good luck with your Discus. They are soo darned expensive and you need such a large tank to keep them. I might when I am done with my schooling and have a home of my own, then I will build my dream tank, and have some Discus in it, but I would try to get a pure(er) strain, because there are so many hybrid Discus on the market, and that could contribute to their health problems.