Setting up a new Discus tank

[bud]

A little background I have raise discus in the past and have been in the hobby for 30+years.Stock list will be 9 Discus and 2 bn
I am thinking of using this set up(110) with live plants and black sand I have in my 125


or I could you this set up 125

 

[BODYDUB]

What size will you purchase them at????????????

 

[bud]

looks like 3'' to 4''

 

[rbarn]

bare bottom no sand.

 

[bud]

Sand or gravel but I am not going to have a bare bottom tank in my formal living room.I know it is best but this is going to be a show piece.I have just shut down 11 tanks 30gl or bigger so time for maintenance is not a problem.I have keep CA for years and do a 80% w/c weekly on all my tanks.I know I will need to do around 50% every other day.I know you all are trying to help and I do and will need it.I do not mean to offend anyone one.I have sold most all my tanks and the few 100gl+ I have left I want to be show pieces.

 

[Mythic Figment]

Sand and gravel have different needs and disadvantages. My personal vote would be sand, but either would technically work.

With gravel, the poop and extra food can get down in between the rocks and foul up water pretty quick, especially if you use a pellet that sinks too fast for the fish to get at it. Ideally it will need to be completely vacuumed every single day. Every other day might be pushing it because discus are so sensitive to nitrate levels, which rotting food and poo would make plenty of.

With sand, the poop and food will rest on top of the sand, which is great for making sure food is easier to get at. Plus the poop will be easier to vacuum up if you use a lighter sand so it is easier to view. If you want a dark substrate, go gravel because then you can vacuum without worrying about missing a patch or sucking out all the sand. Sand has a drawback in that if it is greater than 2-2.5" deep, it can build gas pockets full of toxic gas that can kill most hardy fish (so discus would be even more sensitive to this) when released, so you have to make sure you stir it at least once a month.


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[daffyfish]

I think that they would look better in the 110.
Might be best to stick with lighter colored substrate. Depending on the strains, this helps reduce peppering.
Enjoy your new tank.

 

[bud]

I was wondering if there is such thing as to much light for discus.I want it to be a healthy planted tank?Also are this fish really this color or is this pink T-5 lighting?And one more ?Are all of these fish red diamond spotted or is the ones like the one I circle something else?Thanks for your time

 

[BODYDUB]

I was wondering if there is such thing as to much light for discus.I want it to be a healthy planted tank?Also are this fish really this color or is this pink T-5 lighting?And one more ?Are all of these fish red diamond spotted or is the ones like the one I circle something else?Thanks for your time

I use to use a Coralife T5 Dual pink bulb set up on my discus tank with no ill effects. To me the pink bulbs made the colors of the fish really POP out and you really could tell a difference from the regular white bulbs. All those fish are the same strain in the pic, some fish look better and some don't. Just depends on the fish.............