Discus Tank

[jaywings19]

The tank is already set up and running since April 2004. Here are the specifications and current residents:

Tank Size: 72G US (48"L x 18"W x 22"H)
Temperature: 85-86F
pH: 6.5 (soft)

3 - Discus (medium-large)
7 - Rummynose Tetras
5 - Cardinal Tetras
1 - Bolivian Ram
2 - Apistogramma Hongsloi

What (if anything) can I add to this tank? I really want a pair of Apistogramma Cacatuoides - Double or Triple Red... but not sure if they will clash with my other dwarf cichlids.

 

[Sanj]

Surely that tank is bigger than 72US gallons!! do you mean UK?

You could easily build up on your tetra populations by quite a bit.

 

[ryan]

I'd also look at increasing the Tetra shoals. I have kept two species of Apistogramma together with no trouble, your tank is certainly big enough to do the same. It terms of other occupants I would look at some bottom or top dwelling species like Hatchetfish or Corydoras and small L-Numbered Plecs.

 

[G_Sharky]

a couple of apistogramma wouldn't hurt, but you should also consider getting a bigger shoal for your rummy's... they look amazing especially if you have more that 10 of them following each other around....

 

[.Occy.]

it is actually an 82g US tank....

 

[jaywings19]

Wow... that's funny. The tank manufacturer (All-Glass) lists my tank as a 72G Bow Front. Are you sure it's 82G volume with those dimensions?

Yes, I am going to get a few more tetras anyway. Just wanted to add a different species to the mix.

I will look into the hatchetfish and the apistogrammas that I wanted. I'm not sure if the hatchetfish will like my aquarium much because the Eheim Pro II canister output is pretty strong at the water surface.

I didn't have luck with the Corydoras in this tank originally because of the high temperatures and height of the tank... despite my use of a large bubble bar, I guess there wasn't enough oxygen at the tank bottom for Corys.

Likewise, I've heard bad stories about Plecs and Discus... the Plecs would attach themselves to the Discus and suck them. Think I'd like to avoid that.

 

[ryan]

Most Corydoras species do not fair well at the higher temperatures the Discus prefer but Corydoras sterbai seem to be just as happy in it. There are stories of Plecs sucking the slime coating of Discus and this can happen, but it is with the larger species like Commons and Gibbiceps Plecs that this happens. Smaller L-Numbers like L-066, L-046, L-134, L-204 and so on are fine.

 

[jaywings19]

Most Corydoras species do not fair well at the higher temperatures the Discus prefer but Corydoras sterbai seem to be just as happy in it. There are stories of Plecs sucking the slime coating of Discus and this can happen, but it is with the larger species like Commons and Gibbiceps Plecs that this happens. Smaller L-Numbers like L-066, L-046, L-134, L-204 and so on are fine.

The Corydoras Sterbai are the ones that I tried originally in the tank. They didn't fare well. I had a couple die a few days after introducing them. The others started to lose their coloring. I got worried and moved the survivors over to my community tank (where the temperature is around 80F). The survivors are doing just fine over there. So I'd rather not chance the health of more Corydoras in the Discus tank.

I will look into a Gold Nugget Plec.

 

[Doggfather]

The Corydoras Sterbai are the ones that I tried originally in the tank. They didn't fare well. I had a couple die a few days after introducing them. The others started to lose their coloring. I got worried and moved the survivors over to my community tank (where the temperature is around 80F). The survivors are doing just fine over there. thumbs-up.gif So I'd rather not chance the health of more Corydoras in the Discus tank.

The fact that they died within a few days does not mean it is becuase of the high temperature. Since they died within a few days of being introduced i would say it was a problem cuase by them acclimatising to the water conditions in your tank.

I say give some small bottom feeder a go