72 Gallon Inhabitants

[anniep]

Hi, I am not new to aquariums, I have had a couple full blown reefs, myriads of tropical set ups and a goldfish set up. I am however new to the world of cichlids... how do you pronounce that anyway?? So I have just a couple questions. I am either going to get a 72 or a 90 gallon set up and am wondering if this list of inhabitants is ok in a 72, or would it require 90 gallons. I made this list from the list of discus and discus tankmates on the discusmadness website so hopefully I have chosen all compatible fish.

3 pairs of discus
2 koi angels
2 German blue rams
12-16 rummy nose tetras
4-6 boesmani rainbow fish
6 corydora
6 threadfin rainbow fish
12-16 long fin danios
2 pleco


Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[minnnt]

Unsure of the Danio variety, but alot of them require cooler temps?

If you have the option for the 90, then why get a smaller tank?

And it's 'Sick Lids'

I would also be weary of having Discus as a first cichlid, i would be frightened to death. lol.

 

[anniep]

Unsure of the Danio variety, but alot of them require cooler temps?

If you have the option for the 90, then why get a smaller tank?

And it's 'Sick Lids'

I would also be weary of having Discus as a first cichlid, i would be frightened to death. lol.

Why would you? Because of fragility? I won't do a thing until I have fully researched, I have never been one to leap into something and then trouble shoot. I learned well how to care for fragile species, as well as maintain a very tight ship as far as water parameters when I was running reef aquariums. But I sure would listen to and heed any specific warnings regarding discus that you may have to offer.

 

[minnnt]

What do you mean fragility? I would always go as big as you can. More space for your fish, more options available to you, easier to control parameters. I see no benefits of a smaller tank if you have the cash and space for a bigger one...

 

[Whitey_144]

90! ...no 10...hey just get a 120!! nah seriously i don't know.

If i had the space for Discus i would get a lovely big shoal of Cardinal tetras, but thats me.

good on you for researching first, look forward to seeing the tank photos.

Will you be buying all the discus together, i've not kept discus, but i assume this is best to get a group rather than introduce pairs to other pairs.?

 

[minnnt]

I would get them from a few different places to widen the bloodline.

 

[anniep]

I would get them from a few different places to widen the bloodline.

No....I was asking "why" to this statement you made: "I would also be weary of having Discus as a first cichlid, i would be frightened to death. lol."

 

[minnnt]

Because if you were getting say 6 from the same place then they would probably be related. If these decide to pair then this could result in a weaker stock of young if they breed due to their parents being basically brother and sister. Just the way i see it anyway. If you are looking for something of a similar shape and type of fish then look at Angels. These are pretty hardy or at least this is what i have found with them.

I would get them from a few different places to widen the bloodline.

No....I was asking "why" to this statement you made: "I would also be weary of having Discus as a first cichlid, i would be frightened to death. lol."

Because they have such specific needs for them to thrive in. RO water, higher temperatures, sensitive to water parameters etc, all that coupled with i don't particularly know alot about Discus anyway.

 

[Proxo]

And it's 'Sick Lids'

I thought it was 'chill-lids" when i first started lolol.

I do have danios at 26-28c and they're doing okay but i'm no expert and from what i read they should be at 24c, I'm moving mine soon.

 

[minnnt]

As i said, i am unsure if it applies to all Danio's, but Zebra's definately do better at a temperature of no more than 24.

 

[hamfist]

Hi, I am not new to aquariums, I have had a couple full blown reefs, myriads of tropical set ups and a goldfish set up. I am however new to the world of cichlids... how do you pronounce that anyway?? So I have just a couple questions. I am either going to get a 72 or a 90 gallon set up and am wondering if this list of inhabitants is ok in a 72, or would it require 90 gallons. I made this list from the list of discus and discus tankmates on the discusmadness website so hopefully I have chosen all compatible fish.

3 pairs of discus
2 koi angels
2 German blue rams
12-16 rummy nose tetras
4-6 boesmani rainbow fish
6 corydora
6 threadfin rainbow fish
12-16 long fin danios
2 pleco


Thanks in advance for any advice.

FIrstly that sounds like a lot for a 72. Maybe even pushing a 90. And that's ignoring the plecos. The word "pleco" can include any of a number of species that max out anywhere between 3" and 2'. The common pleco is one of the bigger ones. And they are all huge waste producers. Defo not something I would keep with delicate fish like discus. Also there are many stories of plecs damaging discus by sucking on their sides.

OK, lets talk temperatures. discus like is hot, say 80-84F. Most danios will not thrive at those temps. Ditto, most corydoras, unless you can get hold of genuine C.sterbai.

If you are dead set on keeping discus, I suspect that you willl get a lot more expert advice on specific discus forums, as they really are mostly a difficult fish to keeep well.

Most places, tap water is not appropriate for them, therefore it will include the need to set up a whole RO water system etc.

IN a 72G, something like 6 x discus, 20 x cardinal tetras and a pair of rams would be nice.

Have fun researching !

 

[mark2109111]

Discus are defiantly not a good beginner fish. It took me two years to get the guts to buy 200$ worth of discus just to get started. But they are actually a very rewarding fish to keep. Mine have just had fry for the first time.

 

[anniep]

Discus are defiantly not a good beginner fish. It took me two years to get the guts to buy 200$ worth of discus just to get started. But they are actually a very rewarding fish to keep. Mine have just had fry for the first time.

Wow, congratulations on your new fry! I am dead set on having a discus set up, and I am no stranger to difficult fish to keep, I have spent years upon years maintaining my own tropical aquariums, as well as setting up and maintaining fresh water set ups for others, and even spent a few years doing salt water reef aquariums, where the corals and fish must have the cleanest of water and very strict lighting and water parameters. I have built my own metal halide ballasts and fixtures. I just grew weary of mixing up barrel after barrel of salt water and sold my reef and after a short break am now going back into fresh water. I am confident I can maintain discus and I want a challenging fish, I don't want an aquarium with easy fish to keep, it is quite honestly a bore to me.

After doing more research, I agree that list is too heavy. I have revised it to this and it will go into a 90 gallon:

2 pairs of discus
1 pair of angelfish
12-16 cardinal tetra or rummy nose tetra

It is absolutely unbelievable the price you can get on craigslist for a full set up... I got a 90 gallon acrylic tank with an oak stand and canopy including a fluval fx5 cannister filter and the lighting for 400 dollars.

 

[hamfist]

After doing more research, I agree that list is too heavy. I have revised it to this and it will go into a 90 gallon:

2 pairs of discus
1 pair of angelfish
12-16 cardinal tetra or rummy nose tetra

That sounds very reasonable !