I'd have to say it's been a good few years since I last had my aquarium stocked.
I just turned twenty-one last month, and haven't touched it since I was about seventeen or so. I have to admit, the urge has hit me anew after boredom struck and I decided to read up on some old favorites. After all, I have a perfectly good seventy-seven gallon tank sitting in my basement unused.
Back in the day, it was more of a casual hobby; you know, the standard mix and match community setup. I feel if I was to get back into the hobby I'd need something more stimulating. Throwing a school of neon tetra in with a bunch of plastic plants was cool at the time, but I doubt that would keep my attention for long these days. When I do things, I like to go all out, you know? Some more unique species, a live plant set up, and above all a theme would make things more interesting.
One fish I had always displayed interest in was discus, but the few generic little pet stores around here didn't carry them, in the rare event they did it was a bunch of random ones (probably hybrids) that couldn't even be identified and at a ridiculous price to boot. So if I plan on going all out now, what better theme to choose then an untested old favorite?
Now I come to you guys to ask the simple question: what do I need to know?
I've heard that discus aren't always the easiest fish; demanding very soft, acidic water at temperatures upwards of eighty degrees and a well balanced diet.
If such requirements must be met, is there any variation between breeds or is a discus a discus? Furthermore, there are now so many types a beginner like me can't even begin to place them; what's out there? What things need to be considered when selecting a tank, breed, tank mates etc?
If an experienced discus keeper and/or breeder could point me in the right direction, any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
I just turned twenty-one last month, and haven't touched it since I was about seventeen or so. I have to admit, the urge has hit me anew after boredom struck and I decided to read up on some old favorites. After all, I have a perfectly good seventy-seven gallon tank sitting in my basement unused.
Back in the day, it was more of a casual hobby; you know, the standard mix and match community setup. I feel if I was to get back into the hobby I'd need something more stimulating. Throwing a school of neon tetra in with a bunch of plastic plants was cool at the time, but I doubt that would keep my attention for long these days. When I do things, I like to go all out, you know? Some more unique species, a live plant set up, and above all a theme would make things more interesting.
One fish I had always displayed interest in was discus, but the few generic little pet stores around here didn't carry them, in the rare event they did it was a bunch of random ones (probably hybrids) that couldn't even be identified and at a ridiculous price to boot. So if I plan on going all out now, what better theme to choose then an untested old favorite?
Now I come to you guys to ask the simple question: what do I need to know?
I've heard that discus aren't always the easiest fish; demanding very soft, acidic water at temperatures upwards of eighty degrees and a well balanced diet.
If such requirements must be met, is there any variation between breeds or is a discus a discus? Furthermore, there are now so many types a beginner like me can't even begin to place them; what's out there? What things need to be considered when selecting a tank, breed, tank mates etc?
If an experienced discus keeper and/or breeder could point me in the right direction, any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!