New Discus Tank Cycle Question

[ryansmith83]

First and foremost, where is the gourami going if the discus are going into the 55? If it was harassing angels, it will most certainly pester your discus. I'd have the 55 gallon empty when the discus arrive.

How long was the sump running on the 75 gallon? It could have some BB growing in it already.

My suggestion is to use media from your XP4 in your new power filters on the 55 gallon. Are there any kind of sponges or floss in the XP4, or just the loose balls/rocks? I'd move some of the Seachem Matrix or the bag of Biomax into the AC's on the 55 gallon, and leave some in the XP4.

Your 75 gallon, if planted/decorated, should also have some BB in the tank itself. Just keep an eye on it -- if you see slightly cloudy water or if the fish act strange, do a large water change. I don't anticipate any issues with the cycle being interrupted, though.

As for the discus in the 55, put the temperature at 85 or 86F for the little ones and give them daily water changes of 50% if you can for the first week or two. That should take care of any cycling issues. The media from your XP4 will jump-start the cycle in your new ACs. Make sure with water that warm that you have plenty of aeration/circulation in the tank.

Definitely keep the two tanks separate. Go ahead and disconnect the sump from the 55 now. Bring the water temperature up in the 55. Don't put the media from the XP4 into the 55 gallon tank until the day you get the discus, that way your bacteria won't be starved.

 

[Jrigsbee]

Update:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_profilepage&v=H2EGoaoBwIY#t=27s

This is a video of the new discus from last night. I recieved 8 total although 2 were given to me free by the breeder because they were less than ideal looking. I have done a 60% WC everyday since I recieved them on Monday. Water conditions match what they were in before at the breeder. 55 gallon / Ph is 6.8 / Ammonia - 0, Nitrite - 0, Nitrate 10-15ppm. I did add regular table salt( non iodined) to help them heal some. One of the two worse looking fish passed away last night. He randomly would freak out and pant hard. Now this morning the other one seen in the video (esp at 20 secs in with the sore spot) which this spot he has he has had since i got him and the spot actually looks better. but he is panting hard and starting to freak out like the other one did before he passed away. The other six fish look great, eat great, arent very skiddish even come to the top of the tank when I open it waiting for food. Is he a lost cause? Is there something I can do for him or treat him with? All these fish were together before. I hope it isnt something they can pass to one another. Thanks for help!

 

[Jrigsbee]

First and foremost, where is the gourami going if the discus are going into the 55? If it was harassing angels, it will most certainly pester your discus. I'd have the 55 gallon empty when the discus arrive.

Yea the gourami is in another tank and he has actually left the angels alone recently. I think the largest of the angels giving him an ass wooping put him in check.

How long was the sump running on the 75 gallon? It could have some BB growing in it already.

Sump has been up and running for 4-5 months is it well established. But is now disconnected. I ran the AC50s on the 55g with it running for 10 days before i cut it off. I also have an established air sponge filter in there running.

My suggestion is to use media from your XP4 in your new power filters on the 55 gallon. Are there any kind of sponges or floss in the XP4, or just the loose balls/rocks? I'd move some of the Seachem Matrix or the bag of Biomax into the AC's on the 55 gallon, and leave some in the XP4.

I took some of the biomax out and used it in the AC50 thanks for idea.

Your 75 gallon, if planted/decorated, should also have some BB in the tank itself. Just keep an eye on it -- if you see slightly cloudy water or if the fish act strange, do a large water change. I don't anticipate any issues with the cycle being interrupted, though.

As for the discus in the 55, put the temperature at 85 or 86F for the little ones and give them daily water changes of 50% if you can for the first week or two. That should take care of any cycling issues. The media from your XP4 will jump-start the cycle in your new ACs. Make sure with water that warm that you have plenty of aeration/circulation in the tank.

Definitely keep the two tanks separate. Go ahead and disconnect the sump from the 55 now. Bring the water temperature up in the 55. Don't put the media from the XP4 into the 55 gallon tank until the day you get the discus, that way your bacteria won't be starved.

Yep exactly what I did 6 hrs before they arrived I disconnected the common sump filter and raised the temp in the tank to 85.5 where it has stayed. I have a storage barrel with an RO auto top off. I fill it with tap water about 70% full then let the RO finish filling it. It has a powerhead with a pipe in it to stir it. and a heater set to 85 as well in the barrel.