So i have this tank http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?559942-What-do-you-think and one of the fellow MFK keeper suggested that discus would look great in it. My wife loves that idea, and i agree, but since i'm the one doing the chores on it I have some doubts. After 12 or so hours reading about discus, idea of growing out 2 1/2 to 3 inch fish in it, is not going to work. With bigger fish, I simply can't afford it. So here is my plan: I have spare 29 gallon that i could use as a grow out with discus essentials, bare bottom, two sponge filters one rated for 20 g other 40 g, high heat, staple diet and water changes. Do you think it could work? I would like to grow them out to about 4 to 5 inches and then BAM!!! discus in 90 gallon.I know 29 is on a small side for about 5 to 7 fish but maybe it could work for couple months. The plan has some holes in it, I still need to get my water tested (i don't want to mess with RO ) and i need to talk my wife to setting up another tank, and some things that i haven't think of yet. Please share you're thoughts.
Discus?? Let's discuss that.
- Thread starter thomeski
- Start date
Yeah, I'd opt for the 40b too. If you're not using ro, don't put essentials on your water. Chances are your water has plenty of buffers. Check your kh/gh if you're really that worried. If they are domestics, these things don't matter. What matters is stability of water conditions. Large, frequent wc's are the way to go. For example, I have kept domestics and currently have a group of wilds in our water which is around 7.8 ph and 300ppm. You'll notice that these are far from Amazonian conditions, but they thrive because it's a constant in their tank.
I think people have the tendency to blow things out of proportion when it comes to discus.
Clean, stable water is key!
I think people have the tendency to blow things out of proportion when it comes to discus.
Clean, stable water is key!
So, all in all, I think you have a pretty solid plan. My word of advice is to pick up an good automatic feeder to feed when you're not home. Those little guys are pigs. I feed around 6 times a day. What staple diet are you thinking of going with? Where are you getting the fish from?
Just wondering why you cant grow out the discus in the 90? They'll grow quickly in a large tank. Feed them well and do your water changes and you should have no problems. Any of the warmer water tetras should work. Also some Sterbai cories will work. They like the temps that discus like.
It's not that the op can't, its just not cost effective. Large frequent water changes are more time consuming in a 90 that something half the size. Something small like a 40 isn't nearly as daunting when you're doing 50 to 90% wcs daily.
Im not sure about the discus yet, being lazy person and all, im not sure.On simplydiscus there are some guys selling supplies I would purchase food from them. As far as buing fish I saw a guy on aquabid he is more ol less local (staten island) nyfishfarm or something like that. I wanted to talk to him to see the stock in person.
Personally, I won't do discus again. I know a lot of people on here would say I'm wrong. But i kept discus for over 4 years and had nothing but problems.
The discus I kept were domestic ones.
I had them in a heavily planted 210.
I did water changes 2 to 3 times a week, using 50% R.O each time. Water quality was always near perfect and temp at around 82° to 84°…
I'd grow them up from 2 inches. They'd get big and healthy, then just die. No reasons. No explanations.
Maybe virus maybe bacteria. Don't know.
But no matter what I did , there was always something up with my fish.
Maybe you'll have better luck than I did. I hope!
But you need to know, discus are very sensitive fish and if you don't have the time, don't bother.
Remember! My personal opinion and experience.
Good luck
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The discus I kept were domestic ones.
I had them in a heavily planted 210.
I did water changes 2 to 3 times a week, using 50% R.O each time. Water quality was always near perfect and temp at around 82° to 84°…
I'd grow them up from 2 inches. They'd get big and healthy, then just die. No reasons. No explanations.
Maybe virus maybe bacteria. Don't know.
But no matter what I did , there was always something up with my fish.
Maybe you'll have better luck than I did. I hope!
But you need to know, discus are very sensitive fish and if you don't have the time, don't bother.
Remember! My personal opinion and experience.
Good luck
Sent from my DROID4 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
Yeah, sometimes you get bag genes, especially if you're buying LFS discus. They are often culls.