Considering Getting Into Discus... Advice?

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K

Keeper of the Ropes

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 29, 2006
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Ever since I got into fishkeeping and started to go to REAL fish stores, I've always been mystified with Discus. One of my favorite fish since I was tiny was the angelfish, and the Discus kind of took the crown away. I still love angels, and I'm not afraid to have them, but I've always been a bit afraid to try Discus. Sometimes my LFS will get some nice ones in and it's a struggle to not buy a few - sorta like I feel like they're "too good" for me. Anyway, I've done my research and I think I'm going to try. I'm not going to out and out go from no Discus to trying to breed them... but I'd like to pick up a few small ones and see how it goes. As for tank space, I'm a bit confined. My bigger tanks (2 55s and a 29) are packed with fat, happy bichirs - and my boyfriend wouldn't let me put something "girly" in with them. I AM in control of one 10g and 2 20gs. My plan is to find some young discus (saw some websites selling 2'') and putting them in one of my 20gs. If the time or need arises, I can always whine until I get the 29, or just set up a new one. Because I'm afraid I'll fail, I'm going to try to find some extra cheap (ugly :ROFL:) ones, but I would like a reputable source.

So, from what my research says, I'm shooting for a pH 6.4-6.8, water temp of mid 80s, and very regular significant WCs somewhere from 25% wkly up to 30% every 2 days... correct? Also, I read in one website not to use carbon at all in the tanks filtration - but I only saw it on one site. Was it true? And what type of filtration would be best for the 20g?

Any input/advice would be greatly appreciated - and if I have any information wrong please correct me ;)

Keeper*
 
Well Discus tend to like the larger tanks. They also like a very clean tank and you cannot let your tank get dirty. They also like driftwood in their tank as a natural envirmoment.
 
I wouldn't even start with only a 20ga tank. Discus like tall tanks with a lot of water over their head. I wouldn't start with anything smaller than a 55tall.
 
Doesn't matter anyway. My boyfriend said I can't even try to get started in them. Said they sound like a "pain in the ass" and just point blank said no. Told him I wanted to try and he doesn't care. Thanks anyway.
 
Refreshing change to:

Me: I was thinking about another tank
Wife: no
Me: But I was going to keep x fish in it
Wife: no
 
Maybe you just need to be a bit sneakier :naughty:

Get a tank thats suitable for discus - it will also be fine for all sorts of other discus compatible community fish. Set it up with the tetras, corys, loaches... normal community fish. Dont stock it heavily though. Once it's all established and running smoothly quietly slip in a couple of small discus ;) They are better going into a well established and planted tank anyway. They dont really need any special care or conditions, they just dont tolerate poor water conditions as well as many other fish.

Sometimes it's easier to get forgiveness than permission :grinno:

Ian
 
Hehehehe.... yeah I've done something along those lines before. I snuck in baby bichirs conveniently bagged together with a few dozen feeder fish. :D Took him weeks to notice. Also worked well when I wanted to buy some guppies to breed to cut back on the feeding bill.

As for trying another sneaky move, since I just brought it up (and got sorely rejected) I'll have to wait awhile. He'll know somethings up if I start changing things. I really DO want to do this though. Not sure why it's a problem if it's my money, my fish room, my tanks, my fish, and I'm the one doing tank maintenance. I already keep up with 6 tanks on my own, so it's not like they'd be in his way or inconveniencing him at all. See, if I was a man I could just throw my chimichangas (:ROFL:) at him and tell him how it is. *sigh* I secretly think the reason he's being anti-discus is because they aren't like the 12+'' carnivorous toothed monsters we usually stick with lol I bet if they had protruding teeth and loved ripping up live fish he'd be all over it.
 
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