Just installed the 90 gallon!

[jacobfata]

As some of you might remember I recently switched from the predator fish hobby and ventured into the discus world. I live in south Florida and visited the Jack Watley discus store and fell in love with his fish so we ended up adding a few more to the 55 gallon discus setup I was posting about last week. But! We had our 90 gallon installed this morning and now I’m just waiting for it to cycle. I’m hoping it will be discus ready in a couple of weeks. I added two small scoops of sand from the original setup and placed a used filter media pad (also from the 55) in the sump along with some recommended media.

I’m trying to speed up the cycle. Do you think I could add a dozen of my neons to help start the process ? I was thinking about adding them tomorrow but was wondering if its safe?

All the plants and driftwood are from the 55.

 

[jacobfata]

Do you guys think a dozen discus would be overstocking? We also have about 30-40 neons 8 two inch clown loaches, three Cory’s, three tiger loaches and one blue eye Albion pleco that’s also two inches.

 

[Stephen St.Clair]

Nice looking tank. IMO, maybe seven or eight Discus in a 90 gal. Although Clown Loaches are slow growers, eight juveniles will soon be cramped in your tank. Tiger Loaches and Discus typically aren't kept together. Are they Berdmorei, Banded or Green Tigers. I would advise slow down a bit. You have an ambition consistant with someone owning a 180 gal. tank, but only have a 90. I think most of us have been guilty of that. Lol.

 

[Fish Tank Travis]

I agree with Stephen St.Clair about the stocking. Nine is the ideal max number of discus in a 90 gallon tank, but that is with no other tankmates. With all of the other fish you’re adding, I’d recommend sticking to six. You might be able to get away with a few more as long as you’re diligent about testing the water and doing water changes when necessary.

I would recommend not adding anymore neons though. There is a good chance they will eventually become a meal for the discus. If you like that coloration, cardinal tetras are a much better option because they will get large enough that the discus won’t eat them.

 

[punman]

I'd be inclined to add half the media from the existing tank (assuming it is cycled) and add it to the new tank. Then add a few fish slowly over the next few days. You should be fine. I don't think adding the sand from the existing tank helps that much but it did not hurt.

 

[jacobfata]

I'd be inclined to add half the media from the existing tank (assuming it is cycled) and add it to the new tank. Then add a few fish slowly over the next few days. You should be fine. I don't think adding the sand from the existing tank helps that much but it did not hurt.

 

[jacobfata]

You really think I could add fish that soon? Especially discus? I’ll add more filter media from the original tank today I’ve also bought this live bacteria stuff I added in the tank today. The Cardinals I did yesterday are doing just fine. I think I’m gonna wait one we can test the parameters.

 

[jacobfata]

I agree with Stephen St.Clair about the stocking. Nine is the ideal max number of discus in a 90 gallon tank, but that is with no other tankmates. With all of the other fish you’re adding, I’d recommend sticking to six. You might be able to get away with a few more as long as you’re diligent about testing the water and doing water changes when necessary.

I would recommend not adding anymore neons though. There is a good chance they will eventually become a meal for the discus. If you like that coloration, cardinal tetras are a much better option because they will get large enough that the discus won’t eat them.

I have a problem using the proper term, I call them all “neons” but what I have is primarily a school of about 30 cardinals. I have a dozen in the 90 along with my female betta to get things moving.. I currently have a dozen small discus. I would think they along with the tank mates would do well in the setup for a year or two before I have to regime a few. Would you agree ?

 

[jacobfata]

The “awaiting” collection.