Hello. What is my 1st steps to prepare my aquarium for discus fish ? New filter? Less pH? I have aqueon quiet flow 55/75. Tank 75G. My ph is over 7.2 but I bou peat moss to lower it if necessary. Never had discus but I think they will be the best ones for my aquarium instead of tons of small fish
Discus
- Thread starter RinaLane
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Discus are a little easier to keep now than they used to be but they're not a fish I'd ever recommend to anyone new to the hobby. All cichlids can be challenging fish and need to be approached with caution if you are not able to deal with constant 'fighting'. If the sight of your fish taking pot shots at each other several times a day leaves you feeling stressed then stay away from cichlids.
I've not kept Discus myself but I have a breeding pair of angelfish and a pair of curviceps and war breaks out in my tank on a day to day basis. If your considering Discus you will need to know that this could happen - especially if you have a breeding pair.
So the basic requirement is soft, acidic water and a large tank - and not just long, you'll need to consider the depth too as Discus get big in depth aswell as width. You'll also need to consider their diet as they will need more than a basic flake food. They will need to kept in condition with 'live foods'. There are a lot more things to consider but that is the extent of my knowledge and so I will leave the other stuff to those that know much more.
I've not kept Discus myself but I have a breeding pair of angelfish and a pair of curviceps and war breaks out in my tank on a day to day basis. If your considering Discus you will need to know that this could happen - especially if you have a breeding pair.
So the basic requirement is soft, acidic water and a large tank - and not just long, you'll need to consider the depth too as Discus get big in depth aswell as width. You'll also need to consider their diet as they will need more than a basic flake food. They will need to kept in condition with 'live foods'. There are a lot more things to consider but that is the extent of my knowledge and so I will leave the other stuff to those that know much more.
You'll need a stronger filter, but your ph is fine as is. Look into canisters as opposed to a hang on back. Discus need a very high protein diet and to be frank, aqueon filters on face value are terrible and won't be able to keep up with the bioload of a group of discus.
Keep in mind that discus also do not mix well with the majority of other fish especially in a smaller tank like a 75, so if you're looking for a diverse cast of fish, they're not for you. you'd be looking at a group of 6 of them, and maybe some sterbai cories on the bottom and cardinal tetras in the water column.
Avoid sucking mouthed fish like plecos and Chinese algae eaters, as discus aren't terribly fast and "sucker fish" are known to latch onto them And suck the slime coat and skin off the fish. Avoid aggressive or nippy fish as they can also pick on discus very easily.
Discus aren't as hard as they used to be, but they're still not terribly easy. male sure that you cycle your tank before getting them, and be ready for large, frequent water changes. Live plants are also beneficial to keep nitrate levels low.
Keep in mind that discus also do not mix well with the majority of other fish especially in a smaller tank like a 75, so if you're looking for a diverse cast of fish, they're not for you. you'd be looking at a group of 6 of them, and maybe some sterbai cories on the bottom and cardinal tetras in the water column.
Avoid sucking mouthed fish like plecos and Chinese algae eaters, as discus aren't terribly fast and "sucker fish" are known to latch onto them And suck the slime coat and skin off the fish. Avoid aggressive or nippy fish as they can also pick on discus very easily.
Discus aren't as hard as they used to be, but they're still not terribly easy. male sure that you cycle your tank before getting them, and be ready for large, frequent water changes. Live plants are also beneficial to keep nitrate levels low.
lydah, thank you for reply
I thought that my filter isnt great. I'm looking to replace it with EHEIM canister seems they are top of tops for filtration. Would take any suggestions
I think 6 discus will be fine till the rest of my or aquarium life. It was unexpected present for Christmas & I want to set it all up & be done with thoughts of what to buy what not to buy... At least discus is so pretty & big enough to not make aquarium look empty
Glad to know that I dont have to mess with ph, uv-filter, blackwater extract & other complecated things.
I thought that my filter isnt great. I'm looking to replace it with EHEIM canister seems they are top of tops for filtration. Would take any suggestions
I think 6 discus will be fine till the rest of my or aquarium life. It was unexpected present for Christmas & I want to set it all up & be done with thoughts of what to buy what not to buy... At least discus is so pretty & big enough to not make aquarium look empty
Glad to know that I dont have to mess with ph, uv-filter, blackwater extract & other complecated things.
TwoTankAmin
Fish Connoisseur
The most important consideration going in is where you will get your discus. I am going to suggest you consider Discus Hans.
This is his site, but before you go there, have a watch of the vids below- http
/discus-hans-usa.com/
[media]https/www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQ3o3QJgMrs[/media]
[media]https/www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OekMHBGE6Y[/media]
And here is how he does his water changes
This is his site, but before you go there, have a watch of the vids below- http
/discus-hans-usa.com/[media]https
/www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQ3o3QJgMrs[/media][media]https
/www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OekMHBGE6Y[/media]And here is how he does his water changes
Last edited by a moderator:
TwoTankAmin
thank you watched all his videos - very interesting! But i'm not shopping for discus just yet. My brand new aquarium (i'm sure) is a mess.
thank you watched all his videos - very interesting! But i'm not shopping for discus just yet. My brand new aquarium (i'm sure) is a mess.
TwoTankAmin
Fish Connoisseur
Most new to discus folks tend to be unaware of how important sourcing the fish is. The quality of the stock is as important as the water parameters and the care. I will let other folks deal with the latter two but I wanted to be sure you would have a reliable source. You may actually be better off seeking discus advice on sites devoted exclusively to them.
Have to agree with TTA, dont kill me for saying this mods haha but this site is generally for new fish keepers, and people who just want to share the fish they have. Im apart of about 5 forums to help me with the different fish i have, so a discus forum with many other disus keepers may bring much needed and sound advice.
Tongue_Flicker
Fish Herder
I say lower the pH some more to 6.5 before introducing anything. Vertical growing plants with grass-like or streamlined leaves such as amazon swords and vallisnerias are like their safe haven underwater. Keep their light filtered in patches as well to imitate a more natural feel to their native habitat.
Daphnias, mosquito larvaes, bloodworms or a pinch of dangled live tubifex worms or even shrimps with some sinking pellet mix is suffice to keep them nutritionally happy. Most farm-bred discus are not that picky with their food anymore so focus more on the water quality than anything else when it comes to their care
Daphnias, mosquito larvaes, bloodworms or a pinch of dangled live tubifex worms or even shrimps with some sinking pellet mix is suffice to keep them nutritionally happy. Most farm-bred discus are not that picky with their food anymore so focus more on the water quality than anything else when it comes to their care
All the above is good advice. Just to underline the key thing is STABLE good quality water. Not mentioned above is a raised temperature. 82 a minimum, 84 is preferable.
Now, a stable environment in the aquarium can only be maintained by regular water changes.
Sounds an obvious statement, yes, but what I'm trying to convey, and I'll do it on a few fronts, is the importance of not stressing discus. Stress will manifest itself in many ways. Turning the lights on in a darkened room for example will have them darting manically for cover , often bumping into anything in their way. So I have a small table lamp on a timer that comes on at 6am to replicate dawn, this then allows me to put the room light on at 6:30 to feed them before I head off to work.
Messing around in the tank too much also bothers the less confident fish in the group, they'll often then hide for a couple of hours. So, on that front I'd advise aquascaping and planting so that you're happy with the tank before adding your discus.
I'm not a fan of live foods, not worth the bother or risk. You can get all,the nutrition and protein required from discus pellets, my favourite is prima, and quality frozen foods including discus specific preparations.
Now, back to water. De-chlorinated tap water simply isn't good enough. You'll need an HMA filter to draw off your water. Then it will need both the temperature and ph matching to that of the tank. I do 2 75ltr changes each week with a heater and small circulation pump in each bucket., overnight. The ph is then matched with acid added. Discus are sensitive to both sudden temperature or ph swings.
Quality, reliable filtration is important also. I prefer to use 2 externals so that, hopefully, I'll never be without one. I clean them alternatively and have Purigen in both to keep down organic waste which helps keep nitrate down. Now that set up of mine certainly isn't crucial, but it gives me peace of mind, however the water quality it gives works as a pair formed and now they have regular spawns.
If you were to have a group of six, probably a minimum to keep, please don't panic or be too concerned if a "runt of the litter" appears, getting bullied a little more developing more more slowly than the others, its just part of the natural pecking order that happens within the group.
Keep a good surface agitation, the increased temperature can mean lower oxygen saturation, and avoid strong currents.
All that said, enjoy the king of the freshwater aquarium, they're worth the effort,and fantastically rewarding.
Now, a stable environment in the aquarium can only be maintained by regular water changes.
Sounds an obvious statement, yes, but what I'm trying to convey, and I'll do it on a few fronts, is the importance of not stressing discus. Stress will manifest itself in many ways. Turning the lights on in a darkened room for example will have them darting manically for cover , often bumping into anything in their way. So I have a small table lamp on a timer that comes on at 6am to replicate dawn, this then allows me to put the room light on at 6:30 to feed them before I head off to work.
Messing around in the tank too much also bothers the less confident fish in the group, they'll often then hide for a couple of hours. So, on that front I'd advise aquascaping and planting so that you're happy with the tank before adding your discus.
I'm not a fan of live foods, not worth the bother or risk. You can get all,the nutrition and protein required from discus pellets, my favourite is prima, and quality frozen foods including discus specific preparations.
Now, back to water. De-chlorinated tap water simply isn't good enough. You'll need an HMA filter to draw off your water. Then it will need both the temperature and ph matching to that of the tank. I do 2 75ltr changes each week with a heater and small circulation pump in each bucket., overnight. The ph is then matched with acid added. Discus are sensitive to both sudden temperature or ph swings.
Quality, reliable filtration is important also. I prefer to use 2 externals so that, hopefully, I'll never be without one. I clean them alternatively and have Purigen in both to keep down organic waste which helps keep nitrate down. Now that set up of mine certainly isn't crucial, but it gives me peace of mind, however the water quality it gives works as a pair formed and now they have regular spawns.
If you were to have a group of six, probably a minimum to keep, please don't panic or be too concerned if a "runt of the litter" appears, getting bullied a little more developing more more slowly than the others, its just part of the natural pecking order that happens within the group.
Keep a good surface agitation, the increased temperature can mean lower oxygen saturation, and avoid strong currents.
All that said, enjoy the king of the freshwater aquarium, they're worth the effort,and fantastically rewarding.
I do, yes. I have an eheim unit, but to be honest I would add this when all other requirements are sorted. I think it may be more of a requirement if your were to be feeding live food regularly, or sourcing your fish from a less than reputable supplier. Again, as I have previously mentioned, mine gives me peace of mind Rina.
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