New Discus Tank

V

VTwinFanatic

Endlers
Mar 17, 2005
505
0
0
40
North Carolina
I purchased a few small juv discus about two months ago for my 30 gal planted tank. I recently purchased a 55gal that is going to become there new home....I moved my canister filter off my 30 to my 55....dont worry i have a HOB filter that i keep running for bacterial seedings for other tanks that i start up....I was wondering what kind of dither fish I could use to accent my discus...but i dont want neons or cardinals....just not my favorites. I like Rummy Nose, but I already have a school in my 30gal tank. I'm thinking of getting two more discus to fill the 55 with 5 discus. There is 1/4" of black gravel with a nice tall piece of drift wood in the center of the tank. I was just wanting some Ideas about what everyone thinks could be a COOL dither fish, maybe something that many people dont consider but just keep them peaceful.
 
I've never kept discus, but I would think three adults in a 55 would be about all you'd want. As for tankmates, how about hatchetfish? Or golden pencilfish?
 
:cool: A small school of tetras swimming about will make them feel 'safe'. You don't want to put anything in like 'angels' (some people do) that will compete w/ the 'discus for food. Here's some excellent books http://www.wattleydiscus.com/books.htm . This guy KNOWS discus. You might want to also check www.simplydiscus.com for xtra info. If you're actually planning on "5" discus + 'dithers' you'll be pretty much maxed w/ that 55gl. but w/ constant W/C's I guess you could make a go of it. IMHO I would try less fish or more tank to give a little 'cushion'. They're real sensitive to water conditions & semi-expensive more so than the avg. F/W fish. Good Luck
 
I agree with Tony that you're going to be busy keeping the water clean for five discus in a 55g. 50% partials two or three times a week or more. I've kept them since the '80s and the largest number I kept in a 55 was three adults and changed 50% every other day. They're big fish with a heavy waste load and juvies are just as bad or worse if properly fed. Juvies will stunt if their water is not clean.

In answer to your dither fish question, I've got 10 rasbora hets in my 125 and they make a nice school. Discus need their water warm so you have to consider that for tank-mates. Many tetras will work.

Mark
 
Well I moved my discus on Tuesday of last week....after checking the parameters....

0 ppm Ammonia
0 ppm Nitrites
5 ppm Nitrates

Then a 50% WC to top things off and then acclimation of the discus.

Since the move I've done 3 WC's of atleast 50%. They are eating very well, better than before...and their color is spectacular. They are moving about the tank well and not being skiddish at all and eating out of my hand. I honestly dont think there is much need for dither fish...I was anticipating skiddish fish. But thanks for everyones input.
 
What are you planning on doing once a pair forms out of that 5? In a 55 gallon tank there will be aggression once courting begins, and once there is a cloud of fry around, heh, bad news. Chemistry and dithers are really the least of your long-term concerns.
 
if you get a pair ..you get an excuse to get another tank..atleast 30 gallon :D

my garage is slowly turning into a mini fish factory :D
 
Exactly...a reason to Expand...actually I've got a 30gal that is heavily planted and the other fish can be easily moved if need be from that tank....hard part is catching them, but I have room in other tanks for them, so pairing up would be awesome, if it happens...but if not then its not the end of the world and they'll just live happily in the largest tanks that I own....my discus have now become my number one priority so they get first choice on all tanks:)
 
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