Discus Stocking

[BigbruiserAl]

Hi all

One part of this hobby that i am hopeless in is stocking. Im looking to get some discus Tank will be a 350L 121 x 51 x 66 cm with 2 tetratecs 1200.

I will sell my congos and sterbi what do you think on new stocking

6 discus
10 rasbora
1 plec of sorts

overstock or close?

 

[blue acara]

6 is fine in a tank that size. By sterbi you mean u mean corydoras Sterbai? I keep these with my discus they are a good tankmate eating whatever the discus miss I'd keep them. Your may be able to keep the congos as well not 100% on that. If you get a plec be sure to keep one that doesn't get big. some people advice to avoid these completly with discus as they can scare the discus with fast swimming or even attempt to feed from the discus slime coat.

Edit: Also plecs produce alot of waste...may not be worth getting as 6 discus possible corys and some smaller fish is well stocked.

 

[kevinjames]

i agree keep the sterbai for same reasons as above and the orange in their fins comes out better at discus temps.

i think 6 is fine but could be upped to 8. they shoal well and can be slightly overstocked as keeping on top of the water quality is a must with discus.

i myself dont mind a nice l-number plec with this stocking. one that doesnt grow too big though.

also if you buy young discus bear in mind they wont be ready for that set up till you grow them on a bit.

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Thanks really should have said going for a bare bottom tank this time hence getting rid of the corydoras, ill have lots of bog wood so ill sort out a nice bit for the plec (if i add one) My congos are huge there coming up to 3 inchss and the males dart around the tank so maybe not good for discus.

my local LFS is doing 7cm 5 Red Alenquers for £55 ill ask him to pop another 1 in the bag

Sounds like a good place to start not too expensive if things go wrong?

NB. These wont be purchased untill xmas now it will tank me that long to research on various forums so feeback very welcome on discus

 

[kevinjames]

which shop is it as your local to me?

with discus that small id grow them on in a smaller tank that is easier for water changes and maintanence. i would be doing daily water changes with those till they get well over 4". are you using ro, hma or dechlored tap water?

also i think you will be bored eventually with 5 red alenquers as variety of patterns is what keeping discus is all about imo.

 

[BigbruiserAl]

prob chilton or durham discus mate, im not set on discus i just want some big colour full fish as i have the apisto breeding in the other tank and im bored with small community fish.

was going to use tap water as my water is stable at 6.5 from the tap, getting a RO would not be a problem if needed but chiltons is a germen strain hardy so they say.

 

[kevinjames]

Ok I have some experience here that will be very good for u. Although chiltons are German they are kept there in RO water and I've heard sometimes his stock don't do too good when put in normal water. Also they are quite expensive from there also.

Now Durham discus is another matter. STEVES FISH AT DURHAM DISCUS ARE THE BEST DISCUS SUPPLIED TO THE NORTH EAST OF ENGLAND! Steve is regarded as among the most knowledgable discus keepers in the north and his customer service is 2nd to none. He is better value and keeps all his stock in hma filtered tap water so you won't have any problems not using RO or hma. Also all his stock are personally selected by himself, he goes down south once or twice a month to select his stock from chens discus. I myself use Steve for all my discus needs and he's my first port of call if I have a problem, he's always willing to help and isn't sales orientated like most shops.

 

[laura120381]

hi there,

i would just like to comment on the pleco suggestion!! i used to keep a Queen Arabesque (L260) in my discus tank. he was stunning to look at, peaceful and did very well at the temps needed for discus. also they don't grow into monsters thus solving a bit of the waste production problem.

with regard to the congos, you will know yourself if they will be suitable. i kept 13 cardinals in my discus tank and all was fine. obviously you are aware that discus are peaceful, sensitive wee things so slow moving fish are better. its up to you....what kind or rasboras were you thinking of??

L

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Thanks so far peeps i already have Harlequin Rasboras. The Queen Arabesque L260 is really nice never would have looked thanks

Like i said im not 100% on discus maybe i was hasty just looking at a few bigger fish and have seen green terrors, Jack Dempseys and oscars hmmmm