Okay, I'm setting up my 30 gal heavily planted tank as a discus tank (Only planning on Three Discus). It has been up and running since Oct. and now its residence are 2 rummynose (the others died off within a week), 3 White Clouds, 3 apisto agasazzi, and 5 otos. I have a few sparkling (aka Pygmy) gouramis. would they be okay to put into the tank w/ discus? And what should my GH and KH be. Ive been told that GH should be around 3-5 dGH, but what about KH? My Other Levels are Ammonia 0, Nitirite 0, and Nitrate 0. I'm planning on doing water changes of atleast 40% 2x weekly. Let me know what you think
Discus Tank Plans....need advice
- Thread starter VTwinFanatic
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Dangerdoll
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is the tank planted already?
I don't know about including any more than the 3 discus in that tank, a 30 is pushing it with them, especially if some of the room is being used up from plants... regardless of the benefits plants can bring.
I don't know about including any more than the 3 discus in that tank, a 30 is pushing it with them, especially if some of the room is being used up from plants... regardless of the benefits plants can bring.
You're better off with a nice long tank for discus, otherwise they won't reach their most potential
How old/what size are the discus?
if they are young..you may want to consider 30% 3xweek.
young discus have small stomachs and need frequent feedings..this also means more waste and uneaten food.
ideally if you have young discus it is best in a Bare Bottom tank..(much easier to maintain).
but in a planted tank you will be fine but you may want to consider more frequent wc's
but you could also spend a ton of money and buy adults.
with the amount of fish you are putting in the tank..I would up the wc a bit.
IMHO
if they are young..you may want to consider 30% 3xweek.
young discus have small stomachs and need frequent feedings..this also means more waste and uneaten food.
ideally if you have young discus it is best in a Bare Bottom tank..(much easier to maintain).
but in a planted tank you will be fine but you may want to consider more frequent wc's
but you could also spend a ton of money and buy adults.
with the amount of fish you are putting in the tank..I would up the wc a bit.
IMHO
water changes are not a problem. I was thinking three on the size of about 3-3.5 inches. Yes the tank is already planted. But what about the pygmy gouramis and the KH?
you are going to want your KH to be around 3-5* in a discus tank, 5-7 in a planted discus tank... you are going to want to inject co2 to take care of the plants. that will help keep your Ph down during the day. and if your Ph is too high it will be no good for any of it. ive found that 7 ph is perfect in my planted discus tank, just because it is a nice balance, in the morning the ph is around 6.5. but like said before, 30 gallons is suitable for a pair, or a QT tank for discus. a 55 is neccessary to have any more than 2 or anything else for that matter. if it is hard to find a cheap one try and find a local fish auction, i got mine with double 48" tubes and a stand for $80.00, no joke.
Well I had thought about only doing two, but I had often heard that if you get two one will pick on the other and will stunt its growth. I am actually using this as an excuse to get another tank....like i need another one...but you know.
Excuse for another tank... I've got a yellow tang in a 30 g so I can get a 55.
however I think 3 discus should be fine in a 30g... but once they start growing your gonna have to start trimming plants and rearanging decor. try to immagine 3 frisbys swimming around your tank. if you can't it's time to exclude discus or start trimming and rearanging. water chanes with that stocking level shouldonce a day for one inch fish and 1-2 times a week for almost full grown fish(+6inches). The pmy gourames should be fine with the heat... I've read that alll labrinth fishes with the exeption of the macropodes are heat loving and the lower temp. limit should be 78 F.
however I think 3 discus should be fine in a 30g... but once they start growing your gonna have to start trimming plants and rearanging decor. try to immagine 3 frisbys swimming around your tank. if you can't it's time to exclude discus or start trimming and rearanging. water chanes with that stocking level shouldonce a day for one inch fish and 1-2 times a week for almost full grown fish(+6inches). The pmy gourames should be fine with the heat... I've read that alll labrinth fishes with the exeption of the macropodes are heat loving and the lower temp. limit should be 78 F.
well right now the way the 30 is set up most of the plants are background tall stem plants with several midground swords and a few small pieces of drift wood. I htink that there will be enough room especially if i keep trimming....most of it is going to be judgement calls on plants
3-3.5 " are juvenile discus unless they are stunted.
you can pull it off with Juveniles but keep inmind ona few months you are going to need a bigger tank.
if you keep up with the water changes you should be okay until they get bigger and they will ..I was surprised how big discus get..they are like 6" platters swimming ...LOL
you can pull it off with Juveniles but keep inmind ona few months you are going to need a bigger tank.
if you keep up with the water changes you should be okay until they get bigger and they will ..I was surprised how big discus get..they are like 6" platters swimming ...LOL