50g Amazon species tank

[lilim10]

what size is the tank.
how long have you been keeping fish?

I ask as Discus are usually recommended for an experienced keeper.
while strains have become hardy there are some considerations when keeping discus..especially young discus.

:iagree:angels will work though, just don't keep them with nippy fish like tiger barbs. Young discus need frequent water changes (40%-100% daily!) and very frequent feedings. They should also be kept in bare-bottom tanks to make water changes easier. Also, a 50 gallon is too small to hold discus along with other fish, a minimum grow out tank for discus is a 55 gallon. Angels should work fine

 

[jm1212]

IMO, a 50 gallon is a bit tight for a good school of discus.

an angelfish will make a great centerpiece for the tank. dont keep them with neons or cardinals though. they might get eaten (same goes for discus).

how about this list-
1 angelfish
6 marbled or silver hatchetfish
18 lemon/ diamond/ glolite/ rummynose tetras
8 peppered corydoras

of course there is still some flexibility in the list.

get some pool filter sand. i have some in my planted tank, and it looks great.

plants:
ludwiga
cabomba
anacharis (if you are not using excel)
amazon sword
moneywort
crypts (if you are not using excel)
wisteria
hornwort
dwarf sags for the bottom

 

[jimmyt]

I can concur with the angels and tetras - years ago when I had a 15 gallon tank, the angles nipped the heck out of the neons and stressed them out! Not to steal the thread - but jm1212, where did you find the pool filter sand? All places around here carry the "new stuff" which is some sort of absorbent material and not sand at all.. also do you plant directly into the sand or do you have a layer of flourite or something below the sand? thanks

jim

 

[Squawkbert]

plants:
ludwiga
cabomba
anacharis (if you are not using excel)
amazon sword
moneywort
crypts (if you are not using excel)
wisteria
hornwort
dwarf sags for the bottom

re: Excel - I think Vals warrant more caution than Crypts (not sure about Anacharis) - and it's when you use lots of Excel (as in >recommended levels to fight off algae) that you tend to see melts in these plants and bryophytes (moss, liverworts).

 

[jpappy789]

I can concur with the angels and tetras - years ago when I had a 15 gallon tank, the angles nipped the heck out of the neons and stressed them out! Not to steal the thread - but jm1212, where did you find the pool filter sand? All places around here carry the "new stuff" which is some sort of absorbent material and not sand at all.. also do you plant directly into the sand or do you have a layer of flourite or something below the sand? thanks

jim

Pool filter sand can be found at your local pool 'n spa store. Got mine for $10, 50 lbs. Fluorite isn't necessary, but it helps.

 

[jm1212]

I can concur with the angels and tetras - years ago when I had a 15 gallon tank, the angles nipped the heck out of the neons and stressed them out! Not to steal the thread - but jm1212, where did you find the pool filter sand? All places around here carry the "new stuff" which is some sort of absorbent material and not sand at all.. also do you plant directly into the sand or do you have a layer of flourite or something below the sand? thanks

jim

i got my pool filter sand at Ace Hardware. its called AquaQuartz and it costs about $12 for 55 lbs

as for the excel- i used the normal dose and it slowly began effecting my anacharis, so i took it out of my tank. havent kept crypts or vals though.

 

[Star_Rider]

agree 50 is too small to keep discus. a pair of angels and some larger tetras. I find that black neons and cardinals may get chased if you have a bonafide pair but I have not lost any of these to angels..and these angels will eat danios, otos and neons.

for some reason they leave the black neons and cardinals alone.

weird huh?

are you considering a biotope tank?


if not follow the plant suggestions but you may need to upgrade lights.

in reality discus and angels prefer cover and low light.

much of thier habitat is devoid of vegetation as they prefer to hang in deadfall(driftwood) the lack of light usually reduces the vegetation.

 

[longislandfish]

sounds cool

 

[Squawkbert]

i got my pool filter sand at Ace Hardware. its called AquaQuartz and it costs about $12 for 55 lbs

as for the excel- i used the normal dose and it slowly began effecting my anacharis, so i took it out of my tank. havent kept crypts or vals though.

I go normal to light (~half "normal") w/ Excel, w/ an occasional spike to help keep algae somewhat under control when my DIY is nearing the end of a cycle. My Crypts & jungle val are OK w/ it (so far) - I haven't kept anarcharis, so we got it covered between us...

I use pool filter sand, the coarse variety (#20, I think) - same as you, Ace, $12-$15 for a 50# bag. It's good stuff, cleans up fast, no caking in almost 2 years.

 

[Lupin]

Would it be good to tempt you with an Asian biotope? All you need is low lighting plants such as Cryptocoryne sp. and then loaches, rasboras and barbs. Let me know if you decide to shift your mind here and I can help you.:grinyes: