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Post by kagome on May 2, 2009 11:29:28 GMT -5
As I said in an earlier thread, my husband and I are considering setting up a discus tank. My husband has always wanted discus and for both of us I think discus are the holy grail of fish. But, discus are not only rather delicate and finicky, they are also VERY expensive. If we are going to be making this kind of investment in time, money and effort I want to get way out in front of this and do lots of research, get lots of opinions, and probably even start buying some of the equipment a piece at a time over the coming months. That's why I am starting this thread now even though the tank more than likely will not be up and running until Christmas.
First I would like to ask about tank size and the number of fish. I have been reading various profiles and articles and was shocked to see that many breeders suggest only 5-8 gallons of water per adult discus. What do ya'll think about that? It seems to me that 10g per adult discus would be better. More than likely we will end buying a used 55g with hood and lights and sterilize it and then buy all new equipment. We'd both like to go a bit bigger but I'm not completely sure how realistic that is. I've also gathered from my reading that depth is more important to discus than the size of the tank footprint.
Next I'd like to discuss basic equipment. I was thinking heater, over-sized HOB, large sponge filter, and UV sterilizer. Given how great our tap water is for SA cichlids right out of the tank I'm not sure if I will use peat or almond leaf extract in the filter, I think that with the addition of driftwood I truly will not need it. Also, since I will for sure be investing in a UV I do not anticipate the need for adding an algae eater.
I would love for everyone to chime in with opinions, especially about reliable sources of information. Mostly I have reading articles by breeders under the assumption that if they breed discus successfully they must have some idea how to care for them properly.
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Post by eve on May 2, 2009 11:46:07 GMT -5
yes, with discus i would definitely plan ahead i would also make sure to find a breeder to actually purchase them
discus are one of the most sensitive fish i have come across and have also heard different results
as for 6-8 gallons per fish in a 55 it's absolutley common to keep 6 of them, which gives them 9 gallons per fish
as for equipment, definitely the better equipment
if it where me, i would find a breeder, and make sure to match their water conditions
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Post by barbara on May 2, 2009 11:49:27 GMT -5
Kagome, I know nothing about discus. Having said that, I'd definitely look at getting a 75 gallon over a 55 gallon. Same length, but wider by 6 inches. I have found this makes a rather large difference in keeping fish. You might also want to consider a 90 gallon....same footprint as a 75 but taller. I don't know how important that would be to discus, but I do like getting more "bang for my buck."
I think starting out with the biggest tank possible would be your first step.
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Post by brenda on May 2, 2009 14:56:44 GMT -5
I think that Barbara has a valid point. The 75 and 90 have the same length as the 55 just a bit wider. It gives a lot more options and price wise they should all be real close. Discus are beautiful but I have no experience with them either.
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Post by bikeguy33 on May 3, 2009 0:52:52 GMT -5
a 75 and 90 are the same...except the 90 is taller. but as for equipment...use what you have at hand that is big enough...the difference with discus is that they require perfect conditions...so lots o water changes and tests...they also get picked on from other fish...be carefull who they live with....
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Post by kagome on May 3, 2009 12:06:27 GMT -5
a 75 and 90 are the same...except the 90 is taller. but as for equipment...use what you have at hand that is big enough...the difference with discus is that they require perfect conditions...so lots o water changes and tests...they also get picked on from other fish...be carefull who they live with.... This is going to be a species tank for the most part other than I was planning on having a few bottom feeders to help with clean up. I've been reading that smaller fish tend to make the discus more calm because they use the smaller fish as an early warning indicator so if the little fish are calm then they figure there is nothing to worry about. I was thinking that some angelicus or zebra loaches would be really nice. They would help clean up the bottom and are active enough to be good dither fish. Since we will have the UV I don't think we'll need any sort of algae eater. As far as tank size goes, that all depends on what is available at the time at what price since we are more than likely going to go with a used tank. I routinely see 55g's with stands and hoods sell for around $150, 75g's for $250, 100g's for $300. My husband would really prefer to get just the tank and hood because he would like to build a stand himself, he is quite the carpenter. I made him promise that if we end up building a stand that we will take pictures as we go along and do a DIY article about it. Some equipment I'm going to go ahead and buy over the next months because the size of the tank will not be that much of a factor. Such as buying Carl's biggest sponge filter kit, it will do just fine for additional filtration no matter how big the tank is. I think I will also buy a filter with the capacity to handle a 100g. I'll be covered if I get a 100g, but it will be even better if I get a 55g or 75g. I'm going to wait to buy the UV until I know the tank size for sure, I want that to match up perfectly. I am also searching around for breeders. I'm trying to go as local as possible, but thus far it looks like I would have to go to St. Petersburg, FL, which is about an eight hour drive one way. I'm hoping to find someone in the panhandle. So far my inquiries have turned up nothing locally but I have not exhausted all contacts. I may have to order fish, but that is going to make already super expensive fish ubber-expensive.
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Post by Carl on May 4, 2009 12:57:40 GMT -5
I think you are on the right track kagome, as well Barbara's/Brenda's/bikeguy's point about as large a tank as you possibly can afford and have space for is important. My most successful Discus tank was a 280 gallon aquarium that had dual filtration systems and we also ran micron filtration as well. Healthy stock and a good source for this is essential too IMO. I would also consider live plants and the lighting, substrate to allow for this. The live plants and their roots will allow for lower nitrates and a more natural environment that I believe may help Discus as well(this is an anecdotal opinion of mine though as to the "natural environment") The good lighting that is high in PAR may also be beneficial for the fish as well as more evidence is showing this to be more important than previously though by many. Carl
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Post by bstewart on Mar 4, 2016 11:41:57 GMT -5
Kagome, old post but hope you are having success in "the King of the aquarium". I am also raising them and the only real challenge has been the water here in the San Antonio area. For some reason it comes out as crushed rock Was you ever able to find a GOOD breeder in the panhandle?
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Post by kagome on Mar 4, 2016 18:40:23 GMT -5
Unfortunately, I have never been able to find a good breeder in the Panhandle. Everyone is in central or southern Florida. Due to space and finances we did not ever set up a Discus tank. We do however, keep South American cichlids. We have a Green Sevrum tank and a Jack Dempsey tank, both 40 gallons with just one cichlid apiece. It's a shame no one around here breeds them as the water conditions around here are pretty much perfect for most South American fish. What varieties of discus do you keep?
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Post by bstewart on Mar 9, 2016 12:12:53 GMT -5
I have red and blue turq's. Also one red melon. BTW... have a 100 gal full of Jack Dempseys, man do these guys spawn like crazy! Anyhow, was curious as it seem that only in BIG city can you get a breeder. I see them in fish stores around this area, but for the most part they are in sad shape. I made the mistake (once) in buying a 2" discus hoping I could get him back to growing status, but like it says on many discus forums it did not grow. Had it two years now and it is still 2" and I have little hope that it's stunted status will cause it to expire within another year. I guess my impression about Florida is off by a bit, as I thought you would have breeders for discus (and just about everything softwater) packed all over the state. Guess not, and feel your pain on not finding anyone local. Keep at it though, someday there may come a great deal! Rock on AAP Bill
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Post by kagome on Mar 12, 2016 10:56:24 GMT -5
I'm in the very tip of the panhandle of Florida and it's very different here than in Central and South Florida. We joke all the time that this isn't Florida, it's lower Alabama. No one carries Discus in the LFS because around here because most people are only willing to put any real money and effort into marine tanks. There are even a few LFS's where they treat you like crap once they figure out you're there for freshwater stuff so they no longer get my business. But down around the Orlando area there are tons of breeders for pretty much any kind of tropical fish you could want, but that's a 6 hour drive from here.
I also have a stunted fish, my Jack Dempsey. He was at PetSmart in a tank with a bunch of much bigger Oscars and they had beaten him up and eaten off one of his pectoral fins and a big chunk of his tail. I felt so sorry for him that I bought him. He's in his own 40 gallon with just a Synodontis and he has grown some but he's no where near where he should be. His pectoral fin never grew back, so I call him Onesie. His tail did grow back beautifully though.
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Post by Carl on Mar 12, 2016 11:35:16 GMT -5
There are even a few LFS's where they treat you like crap once they figure out you're there for freshwater stuff so they no longer get my business. But down around the Orlando area there are tons of breeders for pretty much any kind of tropical fish you could want, but that's a 6 hour drive from here. This is sadly the dark underbelly of the aquarium industry/hobby and this kind of rude behavior is unfortunately all too common Sorry Kagome Carl
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Post by bstewart on Mar 15, 2016 12:54:40 GMT -5
ok, well I guess if your still interested in Discus, AND provided I can actually get these things to breed, I will send you some of the fry after they reach about 3". Right now this is a learning thing for me and it would be my pleasure to share them if you like. That being said, I have had these for 18 months and they have finally pared off, so it may be a while
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