Discus Tank Size Query?

[Luanda Pym]

Hi,
I have a spare 2ft x 1.5ftx 1.5ft tanks and i'm wondering what to do with it.
Originally i planned a marine tank but i now think the tank would be very hard to maintain.
I've always loved Discus and would like 2 , but i have read that they like to be in bigger shoals.
i can't find any indication of whether a 2ft tank would be too small for just a couple of discus.
i haven't made my mind up yet and just thought i'd ask the experts as to whether this size tank would be feasable for discus.
Thanks for any help anyone can give.
Cheers
Lu

 

[Chri$]

i think a 2 foot tank is way to small for any discuss.

 

[Luanda Pym]

hmmm ok, perhaps a fancy goldfish tank then.
just Discus are sooo lovely.
ah well never mind. Perhaps when i have enough room for a communal tank, malawi cichlid tank, gold fish tank AND a 4ft discus tank!
sigh
nice dream though hahaha

 

[Chri$]

of course i may be wrong, pretty sure tho. 1 goldfish requires 20 gallons and then 10 gallons for every goldfish added. i don't know whether this applies for fancy goldfish as well.

 

[beux]

So he could have...1 goldfish?

 

[Chri$]

according to the rule of thumb. whats tank size in gallons.

 

[MaNkiND]

according to the rule of thumb. whats tank size in gallons.

The tank is:
33 gal(US)
28 gal(imp/UK)
127 litres

The rule for Discus is 1 Discus = 15 gallons.
Obviously you shouldnt keep 1 discus in a 15 gallon tank. They like to be kept in shoals of 4 or more. He could have 2 goldfish, therefore i wouldnt reccomend that either. I can see that you like colorful fish so maybe angelfish? If you want you can keep a liveberear tank as they are very colorful. You can also go with my tank setup. If you want you can get smaller chiclids such as German Blue Rams, Gold Rams, Bolivian Rams, Keyhold Chiclids, firemouth chiclids.
You can even go with 1 bichir
There alot of varieties out there ... if you need more help just ask

 

[Luanda Pym]

Thanks for the ideas guys, its most helpful!
Going google Bicher now and see what they are like. I also like the idea of angle fish as I already have the livebearer tank and am just about to set up a 4ft malawi cichlid tank.
Feels strange to have a tank as a blank slate to decide how it will look, advice from experts is definitely the way to go.
Any other ideas from anyone else gratefully received.
Cheers guys
Lu

 

[Durbkat]

You can even go with 1 bichir

From what they look like on google they get to big for only a 2ft tank, they may be ok in a 7ft tank.

 

[MaNkiND]

Woops )
I dont know why i said a bichir. I think i was thinking of a 4ft tank. Drop the bichir ... sorry to dissapoint you. You can always go with the angels though.

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Angels would be good providing the tank is tall enough, although kois aren't generally as big as others. You might want to be a bit careful with aggression though, they are cichlids after all.

 

[RubyJewell]

I'm going to get a couple of tadpoles for my little (40litre) tank and then hopefully we'll have two frogs.

 

[Luanda Pym]

How about little shoaling fish?
Any ideas on how many, say tetra sized fish i could have in there, does the one inch of fish to 1 gal apply?
I looked up the birchir and even if my tank was 7ft i don't think i would have that prehistoric nessie!! Its gots hands!! hahaha

So i'm going to go with looking up angels and types of small shoaling fish.
I'll ask at the lfs too.
But thanks for all the help.
I suppose I could always get a beautiful betta just on his own.
ideas ideas ideas
soooo many choices for a woman to make!
sigh
laters guys.

 

[dwarfgourami]

Are you still up for suggestions?

If you like the flat-bodied colourful look, how about some small gouramis? A trio of either dwarf or honey gouramis would look good- just make sure you get 1 male and 2 females, not the other way round, as males can be nasty to each other.

Plenty of colourful tetras out there- just remember to get a group of at least 5-6 of the same species, rather than pic'n mix. Lemon tetras, serpas and black widows are supposed to be nippy, so won't go with gouramis, but would be fine on their own, or with some catfish. Black phantoms are said to be more peaceful.

In another post you mentioned rasboras- haven't kept them myself, but then I've never heard from anyone who did and didn't like them, they get a very good press!

Platies are colourful and pleasant fish- just need to think about the gender ratios (either 2 females or more per male, or all females or not fewer than 3-4 males).

 

[Luanda Pym]

I was thinking about Mollies, the sail fin or lace fin mollies are beautiful.
Alternatively i could move many of the little livebearers i have in my 3.5 ft tank (see signature) into the 2 ft tank and think about repopulating the 3.5ft tank with something bigger. Discus are still out because of the soft water requirements, too much for a britta filter me thinks!!
I wish i could make up my mind!!
still open for suggestions, but thanks to all that are helping
Lu

Now thinking of moving my live bearers into the 70L (2ft tank) and restocking the 164L tank with something bigger, would already have panchax and gouramis in there. hmmmm
never make a woman make a decision!