Going to try Discus

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
H

honda237

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Mar 28, 2009
2,322
4
68
34
kalamazoo, Michigan
Well not me exactly but my girlfriend, I have read over the basics and talked with my LFS (which was a big discus breeder, had over 100 tanks).
Here is the setup so far-WILL UPGRADE IN THE COMING MONTHS(moving things around in about 5 months or less.
46 BOWfront
playsand bottom
temp- 85F
PH 8.4(LFS owner said it would be fine)
Nitrates always keep at 5 or less- normally do twice a week water changes of about 30-40% on all my tanks.
no tankmates
We only want to start out with about 3 for right now, then we will get more when we upgrade.
How many could we do when we upgraded to a 75G?
and any other information would be great. And tell me how were doing so far.
 
Kalamazoo eh? Are you talking about Choice Aqauriums and Cary Strong? If you are that man knows everything.

High pH's for juvenile discus is quite alright as High ph and Hard water usually go hand in hand. Hard water is said to help fish build solid bone structures as they grow. I do not recommend you only buy 3 to start off with. Discus are schooling fish and they are also still cichlids. If you only buy 3 I can almost gaurantee that one will get picked on until it no longer eats, then dies.

For a 46 gal tank you can get away with buying 6-7 Juvies at around 2 to 3 inches each and they will be fine. This is also best as it spreads out the aggression. Then transfer them over to the 75 with ease.

General Rule is 10 gallons of water per adult Discus. So you will be able to house 6 to 7 in a planted tank with gravel/deco. If you are like me and have barebottom tanks you can house 7-8.

HtH,
Ben
 
I know very little about Discus but just jumped on one a few weeks ago.

From what was told to me is... when purchasing, you are looking for a circle shaped Discus (for best quality) and ones that swim to you at the front of the tank. Also try to get the workers to feed them for you. Stay away from the football shaped Discus!

X2 on the 10gls per Discus (per every Discus owner Lol).

I started with just one and is with 3 Angelfish, 5 Clown Loaches, 1 Betta and a 3" Razorback Musk in a 70gl Corner Tank.

I think the biggest issue w/them is water changes. I started with 15% water changes every 2 days and now I am at 40% 2 times a week (with Prime to condition my water straight from the faucet). So ar so good but I will say I have successfuly kept discus once 2 months go bye... then its off to grab a few more when I move other stock around... oh yeah, I am also Barebottom. Feeding Market Shrimp, frozen bloodworms, frozen vegetables and nibbles on freeze dried krill.

Temp is at a constant 80*, with 2 big air stones for lots of aeration, canister filter filled with ceramic rings and 1 chamber with sponges. No plants... right now just driftwood

If I think of anything else im doing, ill post it.
 
OOPs, forgot filtration, it would be a aquaclear 70 with an AC110 bio bag. i was actually dealing with steve at MVpets, which he has nice discus and told us he would hold them for two weeks to make sure they didn't send him the hormone ones. he is very picky about them, very picky.

Ya i was only doing 2 or 3 because we have had problems with our water, so i want to make sure they can handle it (i live by farms, i have to filter my water a bunch).
 
Aquaben19;4072087; said:
Kalamazoo eh? Are you talking about Choice Aqauriums and Cary Strong? If you are that man knows everything.

High pH's for juvenile discus is quite alright as High ph and Hard water usually go hand in hand. Hard water is said to help fish build solid bone structures as they grow. I do not recommend you only buy 3 to start off with. Discus are schooling fish and they are also still cichlids. If you only buy 3 I can almost gaurantee that one will get picked on until it no longer eats, then dies.

For a 46 gal tank you can get away with buying 6-7 Juvies at around 2 to 3 inches each and they will be fine. This is also best as it spreads out the aggression. Then transfer them over to the 75 with ease.

General Rule is 10 gallons of water per adult Discus. So you will be able to house 6 to 7 in a planted tank with gravel/ deco. If you are like me and have barebottom tanks you can house 7-8.

HtH,
Ben
Click to expand...
Very very well said............
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom