Cycling a Discus tank

[PaintballFan07]

Hi, i am finally ready to set up a discus tank and I have the tank it is a 72g bf tank. I am waiting for the supplies to come, should arrive on wednesday, i will set it up then. I plan on using a betta to cycle the tank. Is this ok? How long will it take? How would i do a fishless cycle? thanx for ur help

 

[FloridaFishGuy]

The fishless cycle might take awhile with just 1 betta. What kind of filtration are you thinking of using? If I were you I would get all the filtration in there and get some gravel or sponges from another tank and add ammonia slowly for a few weeks.

 

[PaintballFan07]

The fishless cycle might take awhile with just 1 betta. What kind of filtration are you thinking of using? If I were you I would get all the filtration in there and get some gravel or sponges from another tank and add ammonia slowly for a few weeks.

I bought a aqua clear 300 and a hydro sponge v. My other tank uses a 350 magnum pro system so caint really unhook all that stuff n put it on this tank.

 

[PaintballFan07]

FFG about the stand thing i talked my parents into buying me the stand for the tank so that wont be a problem any more. i do have bala sharks in the 55g tank that may help with the cycle but i think i may go fishless. I will put disucs in the tank by thanksgiving so there is plent of time for the tank to cycle. If bala sharks are hardy fish and i decide to cycle the tank with fish, i have 3 3-4 inch balas in the 55g and 2 5" sharks in there also.

 

[PaintballFan07]

Oh n ffg i read on another forum (simplyD) that u should not feed discus freeze dried tubifx worms. Is this true and also do u use carbon in ur filter system? thanks for the help.

 

[FloridaFishGuy]

I dont really know about the tubifx worms but people try to stay away from freeze dried foods. Good things to feed are Bloodworms, Beefheart, and Tetra Color Bits. And no I dont use carbon because it can leech back into the tank and harm the fish.

 

[PaintballFan07]

I dont really know about the tubifx worms but people try to stay away from freeze dried foods. Good things to feed are Bloodworms, Beefheart, and Tetra Color Bits. And no I dont use carbon because it can leech back into the tank and harm the fish.

Tetra color bits, boy im lucky i just ordered a 10.5 oz bottle of that cuz it was only 9.99 compared to 14.99. So wat type of filteration do u use. Since i have a aquaclear 300 should i just not put in the carbon?

 

[FloridaFishGuy]

Basicly what I use is an AC 500 with extra sponges and a prefilter that i rinse daily. I also have sponge filters for extra biological.

 

[PaintballFan07]

Where did u get the sponge that goes over ur intake pipe on the AC 500. I am getting a AC300 and a 125g rated sponge filter so i dont think filteration would be a problem.Very nice tank and fish by the way.

 

[PaintballFan07]

Wats the clear pipe on the far right side of the tank for, and this may sound stupid but is ur tank not filled to the top of purpose? thanx

 

[FloridaFishGuy]

The sponge on the intake pipe of the AC500 is actully just an AC300 sponge cut in half and with a hole in the middle. The clear pipe to the right is for my water changes. I use a gravity system to do a 50% w/c daily. I think you will need more filtration in a 72g tank. I would do a AC500 and 3 sponge filters.

 

[PaintballFan07]

The sponge on the intake pipe of the AC500 is actully just an AC300 sponge cut in half and with a hole in the middle.  The clear pipe to the right is for my water changes.  I use a gravity system to do a 50% w/c daily.  I think you will need more filtration in a 72g tank.  I would do a AC500 and 3 sponge filters.

Really, u think i need more filteration even though the ac300 is rated for 100g, and the sponge is for 125g? thanx
Wat is a gravity water change system? thanx

 

[FloridaFishGuy]

Well I guess it depends on how many Discus you have. If you have adults then no that should do alright but you would still need to do a good w/c 2 times a week. If your getting juvie Discus you definatly want to increase filtration so that you dont have to do as many w/c. I mainly do so many w/c because im raising my fish to sell and I need them to grow as fast as possible.

 

[PaintballFan07]

Well I guess it depends on how many Discus you have. If you have adults then no that should do alright but you would still need to do a good w/c 2 times a week. If your getting juvie Discus you definatly want to increase filtration so that you dont have to do as many w/c. I mainly do so many w/c because im raising my fish to sell and I need them to grow as fast as possible.

I c. Do u still have the same discus from the past that u got from ur friend? Good luck with them. I do have another filter that i used to use for my 55g it is rated for 60g i think, it is made by whisper. But it uses filter cartridges that slide into the filter with the carbon in the middle of the cartridge. Should i take he cartridge cut a slit into it n pull out the carbon u use it to help with filteration. I will have juvy discus, around 5 or more depending on the amount of money i have at the time. thanx for ur help

 

[FloridaFishGuy]

If you can take the carbon out then great but if you can than dont use that filter. I do not have the same Discus as in my Avatar but I do have small 1"ers.