I am planning on getting discus, and I know they have very strict water quality requirements and should not be kept in a planted tank. can a discus tank have a sand bottom with some driftwood and some java fern and java moss? i know gravel isn't a good idea since it accumulates ammonia like crazy, but is sand ok?
Discus in a sand-bottom tank?
- Thread starter lilim10
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discus shouldn't (not can't) be in planted tanks because they require very clean water and having a planted tank makes it difficult to keep a clean tank.
Lupin
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A planted tank is fine but the selection of plants is rather limited as some lack tolerance for warmer temperatures. Start with sub-adults around 4-5 inches. It's the juveniles that require high maintenance as they are on growing phase therefore requiring plenty of feedings and water changes.
Well, I have never kept discus, but I think thats true and untrue. Sure bare tanks or tanks with little "stuff" in them should be easier to clean or keep clean, but If you have a good filter and keep up with water changes you should be fine. Sure plants do have leaves that die, but you can get some shrimp or snails that eat the decaying plant material. And plants do remove nitrates. Besides, wild discus live in nature, and in nature, there are plants with no problems 
I have seen discus kept very successfully with plants.
I have seen discus kept very successfully with plants.
It depends on the age of the discus. Adult Discus are absolutely fine in a planted tank, but it's extremely hard to grow healthy and non-stunted discus in a planted tank. Discus need to eat at least 4-6 times per day because of their small stomachs, and the uneaten food causes problems with planted tanks. In a bare bottom tank you can just siphon it easily.
Most people grow them in bare bottoms, and then put them in planted show tanks when they reach adult size.
Most people grow them in bare bottoms, and then put them in planted show tanks when they reach adult size.
Lupin
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yeah, thats correct, but you still have to do a lot of water changes for discus. these are adult discus, thats why i am going to have some plants, but not a full planted tank. but can they be kept over sand? and how do you gravel vacuum sand without it sucking up?
Sand is a great choice. In order to siphon without sucking up sand, hold the siphon tube about an inch and a half away from the sand and the "stuff"(for lack of a better term lol) should come up. Sometimes you will loose some sand, but it should be minimal.
Good Luck!
