Quick Discus Opinions

[Dopey]

I'm considering starting a discus tank based soley on photos I've seen of these fish. So I've started doing some research. The discus care article on this site said two things that really spooked me, so I wanted to get a second opinion:

First... Do you really need to do a 40% water change every other day??? As much as I love my fish, I know darn well I will not keep up with this sort of arduous schedule.

Second... Is it really necessary to feed adolescents 6 - 8 times a day?? I'm being honest with myself by saying 3x a day is BY FAR the most I will be able to feed on a regular basis.

Third... My tank is planted, so I try to keep nitrates ~7ppm. Yet this seems to go against the discus lore, where nitrates should be zero. Yet discus seem to be always housed in planted tanks. What's the deal here?

TIA

[125gJoe]

...First... Do you really need to do a 40% water change every other day...

Second... Is it really necessary to feed adolescents 6 - 8 times a day?...

Third... My tank is planted, ...... What's the deal here?

TIA


!. Weekly water changes are all that's needed. 30% is good..

2. No.

3. Planted tanks and Discus do go well together.

Here's a couple pics of our Discus...
Oh, some more members here will/should be able to provide more detail on your questions. :)

http://pic10.picturetrail.com/VOL332/715239/1597696/46472334.jpg
http://pic10.picturetrail.com/VOL332/715239/1597696/46471814.jpg
http://pic10.picturetrail.com/VOL332/715239/1597696/46472389.jpg

[Dopey]

Thanks Joe.

In a planted 90g, how many discus could be housed w/my current filtration, a Rena Filstar XP3?

How many could I house if I upgraded... say added a second XP3, or maybe a Fluval 404?

Anyway, as I've begun shopping and actually pricing these guys, I think I'm just pipe dreaming. How can people afford an aquarium full of fish that cost between 50 and 80 dollars each????

[125gJoe]

For a 90 gallon tank, I would say 7 would be a comfortable number. Some say one Discus per 10 gallons, but I think that's pushing it some..

You should be able to find quality Discus for around $35 each. But if you buy online, that price goes up for shipping.