what do i need for a discus tank set up?

[Carl D]

These huge water changes are absouutly crazy people. If you really need to do such huge water changes your tanks are overstocked. Such big water changes are no good for any fish due to the instability of the Ph nitrates etc.

Carl.

 

[shekes]

There is one more thing:

When the discus are young you can put your hand in the tank while feeding and touch them. Once they get used to it, they will always come and rub on you hands, while feeding or not. It is a very cool feeling.

 

[teamdynasty691]

man seeing you guys doing this huge weekly water changes makes me head hurt. i have done i think maybe 2 water changes since may in my planted discus tank. everything in there is fine and dandy. fish are growing, eating well, not sick. but i guess its all in the etups. i could see in a BB tank maybe doing the weekly water changes but i prolley wouldnt do anything over 50%. but its just finding out what works for you and sticking with it

if you keep juvinile discus you actually want the pH at like 7.2-7.4 or so cause it helps them grow faster. there are more minerals and such in the water. the 6's and such are mainly for breeding.even then, my breeder has had them breed with 100% success in 76* water with a pH of 7.4 so anything is possible.

I totally agree about the big water changes. I usually have bacteria blooms when i do them so im going to start going with small water changes. I disagree with the fact that youve only done 2 water changes since may. Maybe planted tanks are different i dont know much about them but id would suggest you watch your parameters expecailly nitrates. Just my two cents

 

[Mr.Geoff]

planted tanks are a whole new game. i actually add nitrate and nirite to the tank on purpose. hehe

 

[carpediem]

These huge water changes are absouutly crazy people. If you really need to do such huge water changes your tanks are overstocked. Such big water changes are no good for any fish due to the instability of the Ph nitrates etc.

Carl.

Depends on where you get your water... I keep seasoned change water on hand with same pH and temp as the tank.

This being said, I certainly do not change 50% to 80% of the water. I change probably about 15% twice a week. My fish are notably happier after I do a change. Their colors appear brighter and I almost always get a couple clutches of eggs a day after the change.

 

[teamdynasty691]

When i first started keepin discus i got my information from breeders and books which all say large water changes. So i did large water changes. But after like a thousand water changes and like a thousand bacteria blooms i relized i need to do smaller water changes.


And with the planted tank i guess that the plants use nitrate and nitrite and a food source. So i guess your set if you dont have any of either