Ok just purched a 100 gallon tank, 100 lbs of sand, two bio weels, 2 air stones, two light canopy, 300 watt heater, ect. But no fish and no real idea as to what to put into it.. I really would like to put a live plant and Discus tank togather, but am getting scared off by reading about how hard it is to keep these tank up. But Im not fond of bare bottom tanks. Im not really stuck on the discus tank, and have considered a flowhorn tank, but the family wants more of a community tank... Any suggestions.. ??
Help
- Thread starter Magnum
- Start date
their is an article in julys tropical fish hobbyist magazine about keeping discus and live plants together, if you have that issue you should check it out.
So.. 1 Flowerhorn or a Planted Discus Community Tank?
If you want a planted tank, you may want to consider getting stronger lighting and an appropriate substrate. Who said you had to keep it bare bottom?
Alot of people will use methods to soften the water of the discus tank.. I would say it depends on where your discus come from, and what your tap water chemistry is like. Its your choice, read up
Plants are usually easier to grow in a lower pH, however.. Injected cO2 will also lower the pH, and combine that with intense lighting, and you will have intense plant growth.
or..
You could have one big badass monster fish that is a pet, rather then an 'Aquarium'..
or..
You could think up some other good combinations of fish.. my favorite type of tank is the 'Oddball' community with knifefish, semi-aggresive cichlids, plecos, catfish..
If you want a planted tank, you may want to consider getting stronger lighting and an appropriate substrate. Who said you had to keep it bare bottom?
Alot of people will use methods to soften the water of the discus tank.. I would say it depends on where your discus come from, and what your tap water chemistry is like. Its your choice, read up
Plants are usually easier to grow in a lower pH, however.. Injected cO2 will also lower the pH, and combine that with intense lighting, and you will have intense plant growth.or..
You could have one big badass monster fish that is a pet, rather then an 'Aquarium'..
or..
You could think up some other good combinations of fish.. my favorite type of tank is the 'Oddball' community with knifefish, semi-aggresive cichlids, plecos, catfish..
Would having fake plants be a better set up for for discus tanks?
Is gravel better than sand?
I have also read that adults are better when setting up a planted tank rather than Junvenile fish? What are the pros and cons of buying adult fish?
I understand that the more stuff you have in the tank the harder it is to keep clean. So would it be better to start out with minimum stuff in the tank? Once a tank is set up can you add stuff later, or is this a problem?
With discus is vacuming the sand and water changes enough or do you have to be very detailed on cleaning the large rocks and or drift wood set ups?
Is gravel better than sand?
I have also read that adults are better when setting up a planted tank rather than Junvenile fish? What are the pros and cons of buying adult fish?
I understand that the more stuff you have in the tank the harder it is to keep clean. So would it be better to start out with minimum stuff in the tank? Once a tank is set up can you add stuff later, or is this a problem?
With discus is vacuming the sand and water changes enough or do you have to be very detailed on cleaning the large rocks and or drift wood set ups?
Depending on what type of sand you purchased, it might cause a problem for Discus. Marine sands typically help to buffer KH to some degree, and seeing as how Discus are softwater fish, that would cause problems. You can keep plants with them, but since they are cichlids, there is a potential for them to nip at plants, and possibly devour them.
Also, due to sensitivity and their cost, a UV sterilizer is often not recomended.
Also, due to sensitivity and their cost, a UV sterilizer is often not recomended.
you could just use sand and decorate with bogwood. thats is a pleasing set up.
plus the wood acidfies the water which the discus like.
plus the wood acidfies the water which the discus like.