New to keeping Discus

[pyroman1]

Hello everyone, I'm Dan. I have a 75 Gallon aquarium that I've recently decided to put back into use after a few years sitting in the garage. I decided to try my hand at a discus tank with live plants.

I went with a wet/dry sump this time with 660GPH @ 4ft pump. This is my very first time with a sump, previously I used a Fluval 304 or 404 (I don't remember which it was). Right now I have about 10 $0.99 tetras to start building up the bio filtration.

I also have an IceCap 660-009 ballast with four very old 48" lamps on a custom built hood. I know I will need to buy new lamps as they go bad after a year. Since I don't have any plants yet, I'm waiting on the lamps for a bit.

I posted in the classified thread as I've been looking into using the Solar 1000 to simulate sunrise and sunset. 440W of light coming on all at once has made most of the fish in my tank previously jump a bit. I'd like to slow it down and take it easy for the discus, because from what I have read they are sensitive to light with their big eyes.

Anyway, that's me and my setup. I hope to learn some things from people here.

 

[OMGFISH]

kk very nice very nice if u r looking forward to discus make sure u change the water 50 percent every 2 weeks. Soft water would be pretty good. And start with assorted then build up to the nicer and better ones ur tank size is good OH and watch for the chemicals.

 

[pyroman1]

Ah, yes, I did forget to mention that I recently purchased a dual outlet RO system. I've had RO before, lost it in the divorce, so this one is even better. One outlet goes through a secondary carbon filter for drinking water and the other goes through a DI for aquarium water. It makes 160GPD of RO water.

Thanks for the heads up on the water changes.

 

[Red Devil]

welcome Dan to mfk.. nice to meet you and glad your here with us.... looking forward to seeing you around the forums... have fun...

 

[busterbrown]

Do more that 50% WCs every 2 weeks. Do 50% WCs two to three times a week and your fish will love you. Also go for discus that are 4'' plus. It makes things much easier especially since your doing a planted tank. Go look at snookn21 fish list he has awesome wilds for a good price.