Considering Total Tank Change to Discus

[jere1558]

I am seriously considering totally changing my 55 long tank. Right now I have:
One 2+ inch Angel
Four 3 inch Pearl Gourami
One Dwarf Gourami (he’s a bully)
Four Red Eye Tetra
Four Diamond Tetra
One baby tetra (don’t know which kind yet. Surprise find when I cleared some overgrown plants)
One Clown Pleco
Rams Horn snails

What I want…don’t laugh…I want to get Discus. They are soooo beautiful. I have done some reading (not nearly enough yet).

What I have:
55g long
Moderately planted (live)
Rena XP3 filter
Two heaters
Two driftwood (1 medium, 1 large)
Gravel substrate
Nova Extreme something or other lighting (I can never remember) Medium/High lighting

What I do:
30% +/- water changes weekly with Python

Water params:
A=0 (always)
nI=0 (always)
nA=0 (always)
pH=7.8 (always)
No chlorine (well water)
Well was tested for nasties and is clean
Water is very hard right now. We will be getting a whole house softener soon.

I figure I need to do more studying. I need to get my water softener. I need to find homes for the fishies (LFS will definitely take them, “mom and pop” good one BTW).

What I need to know:

How much housecleaning in the tank do I need to do before I change to Discus? Tank is 6 months in.

[Draal5]

As long as you are get your discus local and their waters is close to yours that should be fine.

you could keep the angel and the pleco.

your temp will need to be 84 -86

water changes will need to be done more often as much as 50% daily depending on the size of discus you decide to get.

the smaller the fish the more PWC will need to be done.

[The Zigman]

the 55 is kinda small..
You should have at least 5 discus to avoid any agression issues..
they can get pertty big too..

[theredchaser]

I think you need more water changes for discus... I usually do 10-15% daily for adults and twice that for juvies and babies. Some of the more professional breeders do 50% twice a day. I wouldn't worry about pH unless you're breeding though... just do more water changes. If you are breeding or have wild caught discus then you have to deal with the whole pH nightmare... Just don't add chemicals to alter your pH because it'll make things a lot worse in the long run.

Its amazing how your nitrAtes are always 0 though with only weekly water changes... I guess I need more stem plants or something.

Discus appreciate some kind of shade. Although you can keep them under direct light, my discus seem noticably happier with a tiger lotus/amazon frogbit to block out some of the light. Of course that means your other plants won't be getting as much light...

[jere1558]

Thanks for the input. I, too, was thinking the 55 might be on the small side. Now to convince the husband I need a 125!

[Star_Rider]

you could use the 55 if it were discus only. it would be pushing it for the angel and pleco tho clowns are relatively small.

if you upped the water changed to several weekly you would be fine. if the discus are young they need several feedings per day (4-5) and this means water changes daily along with the larger weekly water change.
I keep 7 with an angle in a 75 these are adults I do 2 50% water changes per week.

[jere1558]

So, with a full-time job how does one handle multiple feedings per day. As it is, I feed 2x a day with my current fishies.

What size Discus would only require 2x day feeding and 1x week water changes?

BTW...I won't be doing this until I get the water softener in. Most places around me are on city water which isn't as hard as my well water. That Fish Place would be the start for looking for Discus for me.

[lilim10]

Water softener isn't necessary for discus, in fact, many would argue its bad for fish keeping because it adds dissolved solids or something. But if you are keeping juvie discus, I would suggest growing them out barebottom, because growing juvie discus out in a planted is difficult and they won't reach their maximum size. As for feedings, use a automatic feeder, but once again, grow them out barebottom or buy adult discus.

Growing out juvie discus is tough, they need daily or every other day water changes of 50% or more. They also need feedings 5-8 times a day. I would reconmmend growing them out separately and adding them as adults, or buying adult discus to start with. Check out http://forum.simplydiscus.com/ and do a little research. It'll help a lot to learn from the experts.

[Star_Rider]

So, with a full-time job how does one handle multiple feedings per day. As it is, I feed 2x a day with my current fishies.

What size Discus would only require 2x day feeding and 1x week water changes?

BTW...I won't be doing this until I get the water softener in. Most places around me are on city water which isn't as hard as my well water. That Fish Place would be the start for looking for Discus for me.


I feed mine early in the morning,, then when I get off work. I also feed 1 more time in 2-3 hrs.. and that is with Adult Discus.

Discus are foragers and benefit with several small feedings daily.
Juvenile discus need to be fed more often as they tend to have a high metabolism.. aided by the fact they are kept in warm tanks (84-88 f) the extra food is really what facilitates more water changes ads uneaten food needs to be removed daily and it can foul the water . 50% water changes are best but you can get by with 30% daily water changes(juvies)

Adults require less care and can be kept with weekly water changes..but bi weekly is better(read 2Xweek) again they are fed 2-3 X daily which also leads to water fouling more quickly.
Simply discus is a good place to get information. but they tend to err on the side of caution and are really interested in raising high quality show fish. they prefer optimal conditions .
but even if you cut back a bit.. discus will require a bit more attention than many other tropical fish. but the rewards are wonderful.

not sure I would recommend a water softener.

[jere1558]

hum..so the consensus is not to use water that is artificially softened. Given that, would I need to longer than usual acclimation since they would likely be coming from a place with city water and I am on a well.

[Star_Rider]

hum..so the consensus is not to use water that is artificially softened. Given that, would I need to longer than usual acclimation since they would likely be coming from a place with city water and I am on a well. test the water the fish came in and check kh/gh
if it is different than yours you may want to drip acclimate the discus

[jere1558]

hum...I drip acclimate every fish I put in the tank for about 20 minutes. Small tube dripping maybe 2 drops per second for 20 minutes. I would worry about oxygen for much more time than that, right? I can always put an air stone in if I need to go longer.

[PopPopsfish]

So, with a full-time job how does one handle multiple feedings per day. As it is, I feed 2x a day with my current fishies.

What size Discus would only require 2x day feeding and 1x week water changes?

BTW...I won't be doing this until I get the water softener in. Most places around me are on city water which isn't as hard as my well water. That Fish Place would be the start for looking for Discus for me.

We keep and raise all of our Discus in tap water , no RO/ or any type of conditioner what so ever.

I f you are serious about starting Discus PM me and I can get you started in the right direction .
We are also located in Pa. you ARE WELCOME TO VISIT OUR HATCHERY.

POPS