Tank Sizing-Conflicting information, aka CAN I __ IN A ___?

[uselessmidget]

Hi guys & gals,
So I'm setting up this 30 gallon tank in-front of my desk at work, and I would really love to have some discus.
As soon as I mutter the word discus I imagine a flashing red light and a robotic humanoid voice warning me of imminent reactor meltdown...

What I would love:
Heavy planted with a few community fish.
From what I read this is a BAD idea.

I can keep up with water changes no problem. I can do a bare tank no problem.

Most of my sources tell me 10 gallons per fish is a good size for these fish. But is 30 gallons for 2 a good idea? I really shouldn't try more than that right?
With a 30 gallon I basically MUST go bare bottom correct?

Tank Dims: 30"Lx18"Hx12"W

Sometimes it can get noisy in the shop will noise disturb them? Not so much vibrations.

Just looking for some opinions on this. I've always wanted discus and Im willing to make a big commitment to raise them. My only issue is available space and conflicting minimums. I see ALOT of people breeding them in 29's... But what if I buy a pair and they are both males? or something of that sort.


Thanks for any and all insight!

 

[framcosco]

Hi guys & gals,
So I'm setting up this 30 gallon tank in-front of my desk at work, I have a 37 gall tank at work. It's nice to have fish around me at work and home. and I would really love to have some discus.
As soon as I mutter the word discus I imagine a flashing red light and a robotic humanoid voice warning me of imminent reactor meltdown... There are good reasons why.

What I would love:
Heavy planted with a few community fish.
From what I read this is a BAD idea. A heavy planted tank with SMALL COMMUNITY fish like white skirt tetras, serpaes would be great. NO DISCUS THOUGH IN A 30 gal.

I can keep up with water changes no problem. I can do a bare tank no problem. Water changes is not the problem.... discus like to be in groups of 6 or more, and 30 gallon is WAY TOO SMALL.

Most of my sources tell me 10 gallons per fish is a good size for these fish. But is 30 gallons for 2 a good idea? I really shouldn't try more than that right?
With a 30 gallon I basically MUST go bare bottom correct?

Tank Dims: 30"Lx18"Hx12"W

Sometimes it can get noisy in the shop will noise disturb them? Discus stress out very easily. Not so much vibrations.

Just looking for some opinions on this. I've always wanted discus and Im willing to make a big commitment to raise them. My only issue is available space and conflicting minimums. I see ALOT of people breeding them in 29's...Breeding is a whole different ball game....and the 29's are only temporary But what if I buy a pair and they are both males? or something of that sort.


Thanks for any and all insight!

I am happy you are asking Q's before purchasing the discus. Please read all stickies. And only buy/get discus when you have a large enough tank and understand the basics. Discus are really great/intelligent fish and are worth the extra effort.

 

[aqua82808]

Trying discus in that type of environment I would say it would be a wast of money and bad for the fish. to much noise for them, tank not big enough to raise them. Ok to breed them in a 30 just don't leave them in a 30. The smallest tank I would say to use would be a 55 with no more than 6 discus in it. I use 3 tanks for discus a 180 gall. a 72 gall. and a 55 gallon depending on the need the 20 and 30 gallon I use for breeding and I have a 40 gallon sick tank. Discus are worth it king of the aquarium.

 

[aqua82808]

Nowing the sex of Discus, the best way is to get six or more discus and wait for them to pair up and breed is the best way to tell male from female.

 

[arowanas lover]

30 only works if you have a breeding pair. that said 30 will not work as u need around 5-6. that said what size will the discus be? if its 2 adult pair you wont need it to be a bare tank. reason for bare tank is its easier to clean when theyre juv when theyre adults theyre more hardy assuming they were farm bred and not wild caught