Discus in a 90 gallon?

[Star_Rider]

Discus are not that difficult to keep. you do need to be willing to do more water changes..the discus will do best in tanks that get frequent water changes. juvies should be raised int bare bottom and get daily water changes(at least enough to remove uneaten food) with 3(minimum) water changes during the week of 40-50%.

as they grow to adults you can keep them in planted tanks but you should still do 2 water changes per week of 40%.

outside of that.they are pretty tough. Mine survived a power outtage for 3 days ( I did opump air in the tanks using a plastic two way pump thru an airstone every few hours)

 

[yogias]

so, yogias, what are your tank specs (don't bother with conversions, i'll do that, lol)?

What breed of discus is that in your avatar? they have really nice coloration..

Have you ever had problems with the rainwater?


Thanks,

Black Wolf

I have 2 breeding pairs, one pair in a 60 ltr and one in a 65 ltr. I have 5 juvies in a 96 ltr heavily planted. Never had any problems with the rainwater, comes in at a lovely ph of 6.5 and is nice and soft.

The Discus in my Avatar are red turquoise and a Blue Turquiose. I bought a beautiful Orange pigeon blood at the weekend ( well thats what the LFS called him, though i think he is a Red Alenquer), I will be posting pics of him soon. my juvies are a Blue Diamond, a White Pigeon blood, one who is a bit of a mutt, and 2 Turks.

 

[PDX-PLT]

Discus are not that difficult to keep. you do need to be willing to do more water changes..the discus will do best in tanks that get frequent water changes.

So I understand. I've decided therefore to set up an automatic WC system for the 90 gallon I'm planning for them.

 

[Star_Rider]

So I understand. I've decided therefore to set up an automatic WC system for the 90 gallon I'm planning for them.

the Discus breeder I get my Discus from has an auto change system set up. it's pretty cool and if I had that many tanks I'd have one too.

I'm looking at upgading one of my tanks..the only way I could do that is if I was willing to part with either the 75 or the 55
but I think a 120-150 discus tank would be cool.

 

[Dkarc]

Interesting. I've never had Discus, but after many years of keeping and breeding fish I'm planning on giving them a try.

My tap waer is 7.8. I've read enough to know that domestic-raised discus will do fine in this. My question has to due with the fact that most discus sources, LFS or breeders, have a pH below 7.0. I've read differing opinions on how to acclimate them. Some say just equalize temps and then transfer them, others say you need to slowly acclimate them to the new pH.

Generally, a normal acclimation is all that is necessary. Sometimes they may be a bit timid for a week or two, but generally come around shortly after. Personally, I wouldnt worry too much about it. Though when you buy discus, try to buy from a local breeder/importer (not a LFS). Or buy from a reputable online dealer...and dont buy discus based on price alone, granted there are some decent ones to be found online for $15-$20 each (www.sunrisetropicals.com I recommend, along with www.internationaldiscus.com).

-Ryan

 

[pinkertd]

When there is a ph difference, it is very important to acclimate them slowly. And I don't think that would be any different for any other fish. The slow acclimation would be by drip method. I just added new discus a few weeks ago that were flown to me overnight across the country from California. The ph in the fish bags had dropped to 6.3. My tank water was 7.6. I started them dripping at 9:00 AM and did'n't get them into my tank until 3:00 in the afternoon, also keeping their acclimation water the same temp as my tank water. And they've been perfect.

My expereince has been that most discus breeders are not keeping their discus in low ph water. Hobbyists are being encouraged to just leave ph levels alone, even up to 8.2. If I remember correctly, the only time ph matters is for keeping wild discus.

Debbi

 

[blackwolfXKAV]

Can anyone tell me more about automatic water change systems?

Stable pH versus low seems to be the common verdict.

Can anyone tell me more about their environmental conditions?

thanks,

Black Wolf

 

[Star_Rider]

are you interested in the discus natural setting?or tank settings.

in nature I understand they live in leaf littered areas with lots of deadfall trees.(read as limited light so not heavily grown with plants,
in a tank setting bare bottoms and yuou can add a few potted plants and structure like bogwood.

I keep mine in a planted tank with lots of bogwood(driftwood) I like the look of the plants
the discus when they feel threatened tho wil always shoot for the wood tangles.

Dkarc, are you using auto water change systems?
the guy I know who dies has lots of pvc plumbing and pumps.

 

[Dkarc]

Dkarc, are you using auto water change systems?
the guy I know who dies has lots of pvc plumbing and pumps.

A mix mostly. All fill lines are hard plumbed above each tank (no hoses to take from tank to tank) and all drain lines are hard plumbed as well with a 1" bulkhead in each tank (open valve, tank drains and water goes outside through a 1.5" hose through an outside wall). I still do it manually (open/close valves, turn pump on), but I have been planning to do it all automated here shortly.

-Ryan

 

[Star_Rider]

sounds very similar to the guy I get my discus from.

but I have not seen how the valves are set up.