Discus and Plants

[goldnugget]

I have just set my 58 Gal tank up again after my last move 1.5 yrs ago. I have had it in the garage collecting dust. I have never kept Discus, but the tank is presently cycling for Discus. I presently live in the PNW and was surprised to see my water quality is excellent.

PH = 7-7.1
Hardness = 90 ppm
Total chlorine is not traceable.
Temp 58F

The only problem I see is the water temp, it is very cool water coming out of the tap. I am thinking I will need to set up some sort of temperature neutralization reservoir, this will also help age the water a bit. I'm planning on doing #2 (10 gallon) changes weekly. I was told by a local seller of mainly Discus I should start with #12 (2-3") for a tank that size. I told him as they get larger I could thin them out, but that seems to many for me. He remarked to my quantity question by saying: 12 large Discus in a tank that size would be no problem as long as I did a couple of 50% water changes weekly. I don't like to stress fish and I will keep it at 5-6 giving them room to grow. I also am planning on keeping 2-3 L018 Gold Nuggets in the tank and 2 dozen Cardinals.

Live plants are out with the warmer temps unless someone can recommend some plants that can handle low light and warmer waters. I really love Aponogeton Bulbs, but I have only used them in cool water tanks.

This is my first posting, I really like the board. Anyone recommend a place to get some good fish or plants that will work with Discus water?

 

[mrV]

You should check other water values too. And although you can't see result of chlorine, it doesn't mean that your water company doesn't add chloramine to your water. Some finnish hobbyest lived in usa about 10 years and she had to use lots of chemicals to keep aquarium. She said that main problem was chlorine: water plants didn't save chlorine(chloramine) and when ever you went to shower it was like being in swimming hall and water didn't taste good.

If you are going to keep discus, I think you should but some money to save and buy RO-unit (reverse osmosis). Then you get pure water for your fishes. You just need to add some mineral salt to RO-water to get it good. If you don't add any trace minerals to RO-water, your fishes become ill (osmotic shock).

Your tank is little small for discus but if you find a pair (two discus, male and female), it's pretty near do they have enough room to be in that tank. Tank high must be over 50cm (19,7 inches).

I was told by a local seller of mainly Discus I should start with #12 (2-3") for a tank that size.

WOW! Your seller definitely wants to make money!

I don't like to stress fish and I will keep it at 5-6 giving them room to grow.

5-6 discus and 58 us gallon means problems. Believe me! You can only keep a pair in your tank. If you want to keep more of them, buy twice as large tank as you own now.

Live plants are out with the warmer temps unless someone can recommend some plants that can handle low light and warmer waters.

There are lots of plants that you can keep with discus. From where did you get the idea that discus+plants doesn't work? Of course, you can't put every plant you want, but for e.g. plants that stand high temperature:

java fern
java moss
Hygrophila polysperma
water lilies
(Vallisneria sp.)
Cryptocoryne sp.
Anubias sp.
Echinodorus amazonicus...
...

It would be better to keep water temp. in 28 °C than 30 °C... for plants. Unfortunately most of breeded discus need that almost 30C water...

 

[elgecko]

12 discus in a 58 gallon tank. No way.
I would be comfortable with 5 discus with the other fish you are going to add. I currently have 5 discus in a 40 gallon tank. The breeder I got my fish from said 6 would be a good number. I felt that was to many fish, and I know he was not saying to get more $, as he gave me the fish for free.
Not sure how many watts per gallon you have, but I have grown in 83 degree temp water with just under 2 watts per gallon the following successfully:
Cryptocoryne crispatula
Cryptocoryne wendtii
Rotala rotundifolia
Sagittaria subulata
Vesicularia dubyana

 

[elgecko]

goldnugget,
also wanted to add, welcome to the forums.

 

[goldnugget]

Thanks for responding everyone. I am addressing everyone because I am not sure how to respond to a individual without emailing them.

I appreciate the recommended plants that adapt well to heat and the quantity of Discus each recommends. I should have stated the Discus will be 2-3" when I get them. I thought the same thing in keeping 12 discus, "no way". I think I will drop it to #5. I am not concerned with breeding, the tank is for looks. My water temp is currently sitting near 86F, I will drop it a couple of degrees and maybe the plants will do better. I do add chlorine/chloromine remover even though the test shows none.

Again, thanks everyone!

 

[nutter]

http/www.simplydiscus.com/forum/index.php This site is excellent for discus