Discus

[tjr635]

I am vrey much wanting some of these fish, (2) how hard are they to keep? I have a 75 gal. , which i brought at a good price , which did have fish in it , was included. Got them fish sold , an started to change the tank the way i liked it. In there now is ,Fake drift wood , a few ornamantal rocks that come in a box with the tank. Some fake plants , an some real, Hornwort ,3, Frill 2 , Val Grass 2. Filter system , 2 Regent filters , with 2 aqua tech # 3 filters in each. Air pump , with 2 , 3" air stones, places just outside of the filter water flow. Changed my lighting to from 2 15 watt bright white, to 2 15 watt, F 15 , T 8, 370 lumen bulbs. This tank was set up for years , an i took all the water with me , an started putting in my local tap water , they had well water. Water Quality readings,, Amon 0 nitrite 0 nitrate 20, PH 7.2 hardness 3 Alk 4, which was much better then when i got the tank with 2, 6 " parrot fish , body size an a 12 " pleco. went from 120 nitrate down to 20 an ph stable. Been adding fish slowly over the last month an 1/2, moving some out of my 20 gal hex an also addding new. What i have in there now is: 2 cory cats an a hog head brochis, come with tank, 2 dwarf fire red gouromis, 6 rosbora het ( herlaquins) 3, 2" + neons , 2 Cardinals 1" from 20 gal tank, 1 sae 2" , an 2 clown loaches 2". I heard discus where hard to keep, but would love to try this species. I would like to hear if this i s ok with what i have in there now an the water praram's, TY in advance

[12 Volt Man]

You could put 4 discus in a 75 with out problems, but the parrot and the big pleco must find new homes.

The water must be kept warm (84 is usually the recommended minimum) and good quality (I used to change my water twice per week instead of the normal once per week with my discus).

Other tank mates should be fairly scarce until they grow up.

Once they do, you can usually put most friendly tetras with them.

but you should think of it as a discus tank with a few other fish.

NOT a community tank with a few discus thrown in.

[tjr635]

OK TY, trying for a community tank , and i have had bad water keeping problems, ( my fault) ,an point taking on the discus tank, an not community , TY thats what i needed to know , is there anyone else ready to chime in, would love to hear from the old timers???? , question 2 , 4 more fish max ? , of 4 inches max ? is all the room i have left right?

[BrkD]

eventually youll ahve to find a new home for your clown loaches. your water seems soft enough to keep discus. keep your temp at around 82-86 degrees. im not sure if the other fish will do good in that high temp so do some research on that. discus prefer to be in groups so get at least 5, unless the two you are planning to buy are paired. young discus 2-3" should be fed meaty foods like frozen blood worms and beefheart 3 or more times a day. because of the feeding its best to keep young discus in a barebottom tank and water changes should be done once a day. if you feel like you cant keep up with the water changes and frequent feeding, just buy the adult discus(4.5-5")

from what i heard, domesticated discus are becoming hardier and hardier. wilds are a whole different story.

[Rbishop]

Mine seem to prefer soft muted lighting, not any real brightness. They are not as difficult as some profess, but are much the stickler on clean water consistently.

[tjr635]

Thanks all, i seem to think stick with a community tank.

[Peaches 123]

Don't be discouraged about Discus. I have kept them for many years. I have kept them with and without plants. I keep them at 80 degrees and they do well. Thay are truly beautiful fish!

When I kept them with plants and hiked the temp a little They did reproduce. However, I was unlucky in catching many fry. I think most went over the gate on the overflow.

Give it a try...I think you'll quickly get hooked. Peaches

[Dwarf Puffers]

:duh: if only i could put discus into a 30g

stick with real plants if you want discus, no fakes