10 Discus?

[Fish_Mike]

In a 90 gallon? I'm just looking at some stocking ideas, as you may have noticed in my other post. So i was wondering if a group of JUST 10 discus would be fine in my tank?

The other thing is that my PH is a little high, around 7.5, and i was wondering if anyone can give me some reviews on Blackwater Extract. I've tried everything in the book (bogwood, peat... well i gues there are few things anyways) but 7.5 seems to be as far down as it will go. Co2 is another idea, but i really, really don't want to add that. My tank is still cycling, and because of the high Ammonia, that may be why the PH is this way, but i'll double-check the PH once it's done cycling.

 

[xamdarb]

10 sounds right for a 90 but thats my oppinion

 

[Ethos]

Sounds good to me.
You'd be following the inches per gallon rule.

 

[pica_nuttalli]

veto!

the concern with keeping captive-bred discus at higher pH levels is that discus are very sensitive to ammonia poisoning. and as temperature and pH increase, the toxicity level of ammonia also increases. thus you would have to be extremely dilligent about maintaining your water quality if you kept that many discus at 7.5 pH.

how's about keeping 6 and heavily planting instead?

 

[Fish_Mike]

Well, i don't feel ready to go planted just yet, however i certainly wouldn't keep any discus at PH of 7.5 mostly because it would make them very unhappy ( i know they can climatise, but i like to keep my fish happy at natural levels). But that's why i was asking about Blackwater Extract. If it will work in lowering my PH (And i know it's a chemical, but many people say it's good to lower PH and i don't think will buffer up in a day or two), then i may decide to get the Discus.

 

[freddyk]

I think 6 is a better number. Since you like to have the best for your fish, that would include water quality, so stocking fewer is very sensible.

 

[Fish_Mike]

Hmm, 6, i guess i could go with that but just a question, could i add any schooling fish in there? Maybe Rummynoses.... maybe? And how many?

 

[Katchan]

Cardinals go well with discus, if you on have 6 Discus, maybe think about a trio of apisto or a pair or 2 of rams in the bottom. Also have you tried R/O water?

Andrew

 

[John_Nicholson]

Don't worry about your Ph. It is fine. More discus have been killed by people trying to adjust Ph then anything else. Keep the water clean and they will do fine.

-john