Well, I've gone and done it... be kind, please!
- Thread starter justonemoretank
- Start date
nikond70s;3707335; said:tank is about 1 year old. just added the discus 2-3 months ago. here are some pics:
Beautiful Discus! That's a great-looking tank, as well.
nikond70s;3710713; said:
No they are not hard, but if you don't keep a planted tank spotless with super clean water, you'll end up with 3 or 4 inch adults instead of 6, 7, or 8 inch adults, and big healthy adults are what everyone wants, not scrawny looking ones. No matter how you look at, a planted tank is far less healthy to baby discus than the bare essentials. For the health of those expensive fish, it's better to grow them up before placing them in your display tank. The first 6 months to a year and a half determines if a discus has a great life, or a shortened one. That is what everyone here was trying to get across, not to be an a-hole. When I first started keeping discus, there was no such thing as Internet forums with experienced keepers giving advice. We learned by trial and error. With all the information available today, its too bad some people still need to learn by trial and error. So be it. This keeps the discus sellers in business so I can get more and different fish. Good luck to all.
I have learned that I can keep Nitrate at 5 by doing twice-weekly water changes of 55 gallons. That's what I've been doing. The Discus eat four, sometimes five, times per day, a mix of Freshwater Frenzy soaked in Seachem Nourish, Hikari Micro Wafers, and at night, Shrimp pellets. Temp is now at 81. There is no aggression toward them from any fish. I've watched while lights are on, while lights are out, and all night long (just finished a week of Finals -- I was up). They continue to be active in the entire tank and graze on algae all day. As you can see from the photos I showed, this is a tank in which no dead or dying leaves are on the plants, with spotless substrate, due to my loaches and cories, and one with excellent water quality and stable water chemistry.
I have done everything I have been told, as I said earlier. The only thing I didn't do was move them to a little bare-bottom tank where they would have likely been miserable, possibly turned aggressive toward one another because of the close quarters, and lacked the algae they enjoy grazing on so much, and have to put up with me doing daily water changes because the volume of the tank would be so small as to lead to higher nitrate concentration in the water. Water quality is pristine. The tank is warm.
I know that everyone has opinions on how to keep fish. But, seriously, do you think that no one is ever going to test a new theory? We're just supposed to keep doing it the same way we always have, even though the hobby is progressing and the fish are being captive bred?
I understand if some people don't agree with me. But that's really no reason to argue with every single person who posts on this thread with good results that's trying the same thing I am. I can look back and see your posts -- I know how you feel. But, it's good to hear that some folks are seeing success with this. If they exist, then I can do it.
I have done everything I have been told, as I said earlier. The only thing I didn't do was move them to a little bare-bottom tank where they would have likely been miserable, possibly turned aggressive toward one another because of the close quarters, and lacked the algae they enjoy grazing on so much, and have to put up with me doing daily water changes because the volume of the tank would be so small as to lead to higher nitrate concentration in the water. Water quality is pristine. The tank is warm.
I know that everyone has opinions on how to keep fish. But, seriously, do you think that no one is ever going to test a new theory? We're just supposed to keep doing it the same way we always have, even though the hobby is progressing and the fish are being captive bred?
I understand if some people don't agree with me. But that's really no reason to argue with every single person who posts on this thread with good results that's trying the same thing I am. I can look back and see your posts -- I know how you feel. But, it's good to hear that some folks are seeing success with this. If they exist, then I can do it.
If you are willing to put the time in for the long haul, it can be done. Just keep a close eye on the params, pay close attention to the discus and any small changes in them. Things that you think are minor in most fish, you have to address quickly with them. And have a well laid out plan on what you will do if they start having problems. Keep a thread on here of them with pictures so that you can see how they are growing and progressing. It will also help you to notice good or bad changes in them. I know seeing mine daily sometimes it is hard to tell growth, etc....I just look back a couple of weeks on my thread and can see.
I totally know what you mean... I'd swear that most of my fish haven't grown an inch since I had them! I think I look at them too much... I'll find an old pic on my computer and be like "Wow he's huge now!" Oh.. well except for my RTC. It's kinda hard to miss that kind of growth. Thanks for the tip. I'll start taking pics with a ruler by the glass, too, which might help.
Fantastic buddy,your tank looks awsome and beautiful discus,how many have you got now?
Sorry not read everything,just saw the pics and had to post
steve
Sorry not read everything,just saw the pics and had to post
steve
