Getting into discus, pls help

[Farhan123]

Hello all, I am so frustrated and afraid. I would like to have a beautiful 75-gallon Discus tank because they are just soo beautiful but don't know where to start. I have no experience with discus but I do have the time and most of the resources. I currently have a lightly planted 75-gallon tank with 1 green severum that I have raised from a 2 incher to 4-5 inches currently just to get some experience with larger cichlids. I would like to test the waters of discus and have 5 discus in my 75 gallon tank long term. Right not it only houses the severum which I did not plan on keeping but do not think I can let him go. Do you guys think if I divided the tank and keep BB on the discus side and substrate on the severum side for a while just to grow out the discus and feed them separately I could end up with a good set of discus? I will be buying 4 inch discus for $65 each from Monster Fish Inc here in NYC. I will buy a group of 3 first and see how they do and once they gain an inch or half I will buy 2 more of 5 inch size. Would a split tank where I fed discus 2-3 times a day and diy 33-50% WC every 3 days be a plausible set up? Once I am done growing out the discus I can remove the barrier and do 2 50% WC a week. The tank will be 85 degrees and has a Polar Aurora 370 Gph canister filter and a 125 gallon sponge filter alongside a tetra whisper 40i. Any recommendation on how I should change my plan or just reconsider it completely? I am not looking for show quality or dinner-plate sized fish but healthy happy fish that look good and are enjoyable.

Thank You

 

[rayoddballfish]

tlindsey ryansmith83 P phreeflow Hopefully they can help you out!

 

[ryansmith83]

You will have to choose between the Heros or the discus in a tank that size, unfortunately.

Also, due to the hierarchal pecking order that discus establish, buying three is not a good plan. Prepare to jump in all at once and get six, otherwise the aggression issues that are likely to happen will start you down the road or stressed fish, which become sick fish, and then you’re experiencing all the same issues that scare people away from discus to begin with.

Discus require nothing fancy — warm, clean water that is frequently changed, good food a few times a day, and avoiding tankmates that can outcompete them for food or stress them out (ie, most of them). Learn to keep discus alone. Have as few variables as possible, which is why bare bottom tanks with frequent water changes are recommended at first. It’s a proven, successful method. When you feel you’ve gotten comfortable with discus and you understand them, you can slowly start altering the variables to experiment. But I always recommend people start with the most simple discus setup to get a feel for the discus’ habits, personalities, requirements, etc.

 

[Farhan123]

Understood, so would you guys recommend getting let's say 6-7 small 2-3 inchers and growing then out and then only keeping 4-5? What is the difference in workload? Also because the tank I have set up right now is graveled should I remove as much as I can? I plan to introduce sand once the fish are older. Also since I cannot rehome the severum atm would It be possible to keep him divided off in the tank for a little while until I can rehome him somewhere besides a chain store? Also would a WC sched of 25-50 gallons 2-3 time a week be plausible? I can feed 2-3 times a day on freeze dried bloodworms, hikari micro pellets, omega one flake food, and other foods. The tank may have a little gravel left in order to sustain the camboba that I am growing and a few manzanita branches. I also will be getting my Polor Aurora canister filter in 1 week, so should I hold off on buying the discus until it arrives or buy them now?

 

[ryansmith83]

Don’t buy any discus until you can rehome the Heros and give the discus the tank.

 

[Farhan123]

Okay, but should I wait to get my canister filter or just add my canister filter as soon as it arrives? Also comments on my WC schedule? Should I do more?

 

[dr exum]

i’m not a pro discus keeper... i’d imagine enough filtration / water changes to keep your nitrates in the 5ppm - 10ppm range

keep at the research!


GL

 

[Farhan123]

Thank you, I have not stopped reading, and since I'm at home all day because of online school I can have the water changing while I'm in class. The python is such a lifesaver. I think I will wait to get my canister. Empty out the tank of substrate and other fish and then start 50% WC 3 times a week. Ill buy 5-6 4inch discus and work away.