Lighting Question

[Ringo]

Hi everyone,

I'm going to be setting up a new aquarium and was wondering if it is ok to use metal halides with discus?

Thanks,
Ringo

[flukes]

Not really but if you have enough coverage plant wise, and if you spread the light out a bit, it might not bother them..

[Trebs]

You can, the extra light will hopefully be offset by having plenty of plant growth to hide in. What is the size of your tank?

You'll also need to think about positioning as discus can splash water when they want to...

[Ringo]

Its a 90 gallon, my local pet shops are advising me not to use the halides. They feel that it will cause ths discus to hide more often.

Ringo

[Merrilyn]

Hi Ringo, welcome to the forum. That sounds like good advise from your local fish shop. Discus like subdued light. In the wild they hide under submerged branches in the more shaded part of the river. They will be very nervous in a brightly lit tank.

[kalebjarrod]

i belive that lighting is a section in many parts to discus keeping

yes it will make them a little more uncomfortable

but if all your other parameters are well keep they will get over it.

it will stress young fish more so gradually aclimatise them to the higher light levels :wink: IMHO