72g Stocking w/Discus

pinkertd said:
Discus are huge ammonia producers so if you plan to only do one 50% water change a week, you should be testing nitrates several times a week. Filtration is wonderful but does nothing to remove nitrates and dissolved organic compounds. And discus are very sensitive to nitrate and d.o.c. levels. If you can keep the nitrate level below 30 with only one weekly water change, you''ll be lucky. My advice to you is two 50% weekly water changes with that many discus in a 72G tank. It can definitely make the difference between the discus doing "just oK" and doing "great". In any case, figure out the plant requirements for a while so that you have that down pat and balanced before you add the discus. Learning about plants and discus at the same time is never a good combo, usually it is the fish that suffer.
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Just to clarify again, I am not a newbie.:) I have been keeping discus in planted tanks for around a year. I have also had a few other planted tanks with other fish.

The only difference is that I am jumping into a higher wattage per gallon in order to move away from low light plants. I'll have mostly swords, dwarf sag, anubias, vals, and crypts and some higher maintenance plants. My previous tanks have had CF Fixtures with around 1.5 wpg which just couldn't cut it for the swords.

I will have the plants completely setup a week before I order the discus.

Here is the tank before I almost got rid of most of my discus. Just a few left. Mind you this is with once a week water changes and the discus looked amazing. But you are right with 6-8, I will most likely need to do twice a week.
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This is what I switched it to before I switched back. I get the bug to switch things up all the time and thats why I'm here. lol
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There's a lot of us that either switch things up as you say, or just get more tanks!:grinyes: Nice red turq you had. Be sure to post pictures as you go, it's part of the silent oath you take when you join A/C;). It sounds like the tank is going to be very nice!!
 
Just an update, I've decided to have only discus/cardinals/ottos in the 72g. In the 55g I will have bosemani rainbows/rummynose tetras/angels. I will be doing 50% water changes twice a week in the discus tank and once a week in the angel tank.

I'll be doing one tank at a time starting with the 72g. Ill also add a log. Thanks for all the suggestions.
 
I am glad you decided to give the discus their own tank with the cardinals..I am sure it is amazing. Your other tank with the angels sounds wonderful too. Keep up the good work.

Marinemom
 
number1sixerfan said:
Just an update, I've decided to have only discus/cardinals/ottos in the 72g. In the 55g I will have bosemani rainbows/rummynose tetras/angels. I will be doing 50% water changes twice a week in the discus tank and once a week in the angel tank.

I'll be doing one tank at a time starting with the 72g. Ill also add a log. Thanks for all the suggestions.
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I have a 60g with four angels and one pair of turquoise rainbows, three McCullough rainbows, two bala sharks. They all get along very well. You should do fine.
 
Mij said:
I have a 60g with four angels and one pair of turquoise rainbows, three McCullough rainbows, two bala sharks. They all get along very well. You should do fine.
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From the sound of the fish you have listed for a 60 gallon, it seems to me that you are overstocked. I have four angels in my 125 along with some rainbows and other small fish and I think the stocking is pretty full even though I have three canister filters going along with a HOB filter too. A 60 is too small for bala sharks. I think you may want to reconsider your stocking.

Marinemom
 
Marinemom said:
Really 75 degrees is just too cool for the discus. The discus require temps in the 82-86 degree range in order for them to be happy and not appear lethargic. Serpae tetras are known fin nippers and will most likely harass the discus to no end. Keeping them in a decent size school will help but really I would consider another kind of tetra to keep with them.

Marinemom
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I beg to differ about the temp. My tanks temperature is 75 and my discus are active, eating and seem to be fine.
 
I absolutely agree with Marinemom, 75F is not warm enough for discus. In fact, I never kept any of my tropical fish tanks at that low of a temp. Eventually that temperature will take a toll on your discus. The higher temps keep their immune system in top shape.
 
I aregg with pink and marine mom.
75 is too cool for discus. I keep my adults at 82+ even angels may stress at 75.

while you may get away with 75..it is not near an optimal temp for this species. and my subject the fish to cold chills.
 
Everywhere I go I read 80 so I finally raised the temp in my tank to 80! lol
 
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