could I keep Discus?

[bolty]

I have a 4x2x2, so tank size isn't a problem, (is it?,) The thing I'm concerned about would be water stats and if my water stats are wrong for discus what can I do to fix it? but not just for the short term?
At the moment I have jags in the tank with one huge bit of bog wood, a couple of boulders and a 2/3 inch of coral gravel, (I know coral gravel is no good for discus so it would have to come out and be replaced with something more suitable but what substrate should I replace it with?) I also would like live plants. At the moment my ph is 7.2, ammonia is 0, nitrite is 0, and after putting alot of 'nitra-zorb' in my external filters I've managed to get my nitrate down to 40. Would the nitrate at this level be a problem for discus? Also would live plants bring down the nitrate?

 

[abpositive]

Your pH is fine for any locally bred Discus.

The nitrate at 40 consistantly would be a problem...you'd have to step up the water changes.
As for substrate, anything you like is OK as long as it doesn't affect (or is that effect?) your pH.

Plants and Discus do well together as long as you pick some plants that can handle the higher temps Discus need.

Plants do remove nitrate---but not enough to register.

I think that answered everything...

 

[Rare_Cichlids]

well one more thing i would have to add........

getting sub-adults or adult discus is the best way with substrate on the bottom and plants. if you get small discus they will be stunted unless you do daily 50% water changes. just telling you what i have been told and i was unfortunate to find out it was true with my first discus.

good luck discus are very easy to take care for if you start right and if you follow some simple directions.

 

[WyldFya]

Your pH is fine for any locally bred Discus.

The nitrate at 40 consistantly would be a problem...you'd have to step up the water changes.
As for substrate, anything you like is OK as long as it doesn't affect (or is that effect?) your pH.

Plants and Discus do well together as long as you pick some plants that can handle the higher temps Discus need.

Plants do remove nitrate---but not enough to register.

I think that answered everything...

Plants actually can remove a lot of nitrates. My planted tank gets from 15ppm to 0 ppm each day. I have to add the nitrate to the water daily in order to maintain my nitrate levels.

Bolty, I'd recommend either adult, or sub-adult as said, or getting plants that are very hardy, and can do with low levels of nitrate and co2.

 

[bolty]

thanks people

doing big water changes often would be a little prob with the old nitrate as my tap water has a reading of (the 50 and 75 red looks the same to me) 50 - 75

again thank you people

 

[bolty]

Bolty, I'd recommend plants that are very hardy, and can do with low levels of nitrate and co2.

hay

what plants are there that you would do if this tank was yours and the water the way it is from the tap?

would you 4get the discus all 2gether?
shane

 

[abpositive]

Yes, it's best to get the 4 Discus all together (if possible) from a reputable breeder. That way, since you are getting adults or subadults, the breeder can sell you 4 that aren't picking on each other/fighting.
It will lessen the possibility of aggression later.

Plants...I'm not sure...I'm still learning.

 

[WolfFisho1]

40 is too high! it probably wont be that high if you take out all the water and the jags! and put in more water and plants!

 

[abpositive]

thanks people my tap water has a reading of (the 50 and 75 red looks the same to me) 50 - 75

again thank you people

WOW~!!!!
That's hard luck.

Plants, plants, and more plants are the answer then!

 

[HunterX]

Get a RO unit and mix it 50/50 with your tap water. Get more than 2 discus or one will pick on the other. If your not willing to monitor your water parameters and do very frequent large water changes Discus will be a disappointment for you. Bad color and stunted growth. Pick your plants carefully because many plants won't tolerate the high temperature. They will wither and die after a few weeks.