Tell me about Discus!

[BloodThirsty28]

Ok, I'm picking up a 65G next week for my office. Measurements: 36" wide x 18" deep x 24" tall


My tentative stocking at this point includes discus, cardinal tetra, maybe some corys and possibly some rams.


My main questions are how many Discus? Also I currently use a python on my SA tank with no problems at all. Of course I treat the water with Prime prior to refilling the tank. Now my water from the tap is quite hard 8.0+ . Would this be a major problem for discus since they like softer water of would they do ok with it? Any other special concerns I should take into consideration before diving in head first?

[jm1212]

most fish can adapt to most pHs as long as it is stable, but it wouldnt hurt to add some driftwood.

6 discus could fit in there with a school of corydoras and perhaps some cardinals.

[monkey_toes]

Now my water from the tap is quite hard 8.0+ . Would this be a major problem for discus since they like softer water of would they do ok with it?

I wouldn't put discus in that water. Discus "like" soft water in the same way that marine fish "like" salty water — it's a basic requirement. While your fish might survive for a while, they will not thrive and will have (likely dramatically) shortened life spans. Options: You can use RO water mixed with a small percentage of tap water. You can use ion exchange resins (water softener pillow) to remove minerals. Or you can choose fish that can take hard water. It might be a problem installing an RO unit at work, and ion exchange resins can be pricey considering you'll have to replace them fairly often, so the third option might be the most practical. I would suggest a rift lake cichlid community.

[VTwinFanatic]

i agree with monkey toes....soft water is essential for discus...pH isnt so relative as they can adapt to that. I'd also do as monkey toes said either try to soften your water...PRIOR to the discus and see what kind of buffering capabilities that your water has...but when you're doing 2x 50%+ w/cs a week that coudl possibly get expensive. I'd go with something like african cichlids that would work well in hard alkaline water.

[Shagmaster]

I have seen discus that were purchased from a breeder, and were raised in water with a 8.0+ ph. Did just fine, beautiful colors, lived for years. But soft water is MUCH better.

[aoscar]

I have never raised discus , but am quite familliar with new world cichlids, I would "think" if you used at least 1 magnum 350 with the hose attachment you could condition the water and when you clean it you leave behind conditioned water . any other thoughts on this

[BloodThirsty28]

So I'm getting conflicting info even in this thread. Yes they will be ok in 8.0PH and no they will not. I am NOT willing to do a RO system at work, just way too much trouble. I personally feel like PH is WAAAAY overstated in fishkeeping. Especially with captive breed fish. I dunno though for sure with Discus I'm just saying in general.


FYI - I've been told two Fronts would work in this tank. Yes no? Guide me here people. lol


:confused:

[jm1212]

fronts can get to over 12 inches long so i wouldnt put two in there.

if you add driftwood, your water would be fine.

[carpediem]

So I'm getting conflicting info even in this thread. Yes they will be ok in 8.0PH and no they will not. I am NOT willing to do a RO system at work, just way too much trouble. I personally feel like PH is WAAAAY overstated in fishkeeping. Especially with captive breed fish. I dunno though for sure with Discus I'm just saying in general.


FYI - I've been told two Fronts would work in this tank. Yes no? Guide me here people. lol


:confused:

*In my opinion* discus are best kept in soft acidic water. You will always get the people that will say, I know Joe blah blah blah that keeps discus in pH 8.3 blah blah blah and they do fine all day. That's great and I don't want to put anyone down or tell them that their experience is wrong etc... I've honestly seen discus kept alive in tanks that I wouldn't put the hardiest goldfish in. BUT... Discus are best kept in soft acidic waters. They will live longer, happier, healthier lives in soft acidic water. They will be more colorful, display more behavior, and readily breed in soft acidic water. If you want to keep discus alive, put them in pH 8.0, do lots of water changes, lose half the fish until you get a handful of hardy ones that hang with you. If you want to enjoy your discus as a hobbyist then purchase an RO/DI system and mix your change water (90% RO 10% tap).

I'll never understand why people will spend top dollar for filters, then buy multiple fish that keep dying when they could have spent $250 on a good RO unit that will keep making fantastic quality water for your SA/CA fish for years to come.

RO water, twice a week water changes, and a varied diet = VERY happy discus.

[aoscar]

I agree that commercial raised , ph is not "SO MUCH" a factor but from all my" book expierence" with discus 8.0 is a little to high which is why i suggested the" water recycling" with a magnum 350 , you could add peat to the substrate to help lower the ph some. I'd see what the store's ph is in the discuss tank and see how hard it would be to match in your office.

[trigoudarammi]

How do you build a runoff unit?

[Dkarc]

My pH ranges from 8.1-8.3 and all my discus do great. Only problem I have is when they try to breed....the eggs dont do that well in a higher pH. I will say that when the pH is higher, water changes become more important.

-Ryan

[monkey_toes]

How do you build a runoff unit?

Not runoff — reverse osmosis.

[oddballfanatic]

jm1212 is right about the driftwood...

[pugwash]

This was advise given to me by UK breeders, where we typically have hard water.

If you're trying to breed them, then soft acidic water is required, balanced with regular water changes and good diet. RO units are vital in acheiving the desired water parameters.

If you're just keeping them, then they can be acclimitised to hard water, although many recommended HMA setups, whereby heavy metals are filtered out, but retain all other water parameters - these were designed by a discus breeder in the UK in the 1990's. However, once acclimitised to hard water, it can be very difficult to get them acclimitised back to soft water, without casualties!

Some breeders even recommended growing fry on in moderately hard water, as it aided in their physiololgy, but it's been a year since I researched discus and can't remember more, but ended up going down the CA route.

[1boatnut]

Glad to see this thread as I just aquired 2 Discus on Saturday.
I am a little worried I did not make a good decision,and I have a few concerns.

About the PH. My tank is @ about 8.0 and the water from my tap is 7.8.
I only have 1 piece of driftwood in a 55 gal tank. I brought a water sample to the store I purchased to compare. He said mine looked to be about 7.8 and his was about 7.6-7.7. He was using test strips and I use a Master kit. He told me the Discus should be fine in my water.

Here is what he neglected to tell me and a few of my concerns:

I did not realize Discus prefer high water temps.My tank was @ 78 and now is @80 degrees. My concern is my other fish.
I have Black Skirts,Serpes,Swortails,Cory Cats,Cheery Barbs.assorted Plattys,Rasboras,and Glass Ghost Catfish.
Plattys,Barbs and Tetras (from what I read) max temperature(or preferred) is up to 79 degrees.

Also I do about a 20% water change every week. Now I am reading 50% every couple of days.
I certainly believe alot has to do with how they were raised. I ran across a few articles where people are breeding them from straight tap water with better success than they had with soft or RO water ?
I would really like to do what is best,as I really like these fish,but also enjoy my others.
I am thinking about another tank,but my wife would like me to try salt next.

Sorry about the lengthy post,but all EXPERIENCES with these fish would be appreciated.

[Star_Rider]

I keep Discus but my water is 6.8-7.0

dh of 3-4 my tank temp is 84..they can be kept cooler but..they do best in warm water.

your pH pH of around 8 is fine to keep discus..many of the discus we see are captive bred. these fish have been introduced to parameters which may not be considered optimal fpr discus but have adapted.

but as mentioned this may present some problems if the discus try to breed.

RO/DI(reverse osmosis/de-ionize) units are great in these instances. it has been suggested that high pH or high kh inhibit the egg permeability ..FYI some success has been achieved at these pH levels.

while it is best to do large , frequent water changes for young discus..once they reach adult..you should be able to do 2weekly 30-40% water changes for adults and be fine.