First Discus Tank

[1234-fishy-freind]

Hi guys.
Well firstly I'm a marine keeper and have been for the past 3 or 4 years. I started with a 30gal mixed tropical tank but then decided I wanted a different challange. Well I am now up for a new one, a South American tank for discus.

Ive been looking at a 48" long, 15" wide, 20" tall tank which would give me 236 litres, 52UK gal, 62 USgal. How many discus could I keep in a tank this size, I was thinking maybe 8.

I would also want to add a couple of other fish species. I was thinking maybe 10-20 cardinal tetras and maybe 4-5 corys.
I will be decorating with bogwood, rocks and densly plant. Not quite sure on the substrate yet but I am thinking either a fine gravel or sand.

I have an RO unit which I use for my marine tank so I will use that to fill this tank with too which means less faffing with dechlorinator ect.

How does that sound?

I would also appreciate any tips with regard to general care and feeding of discus.

thanks, Josh.

 

[rdp50734]

They say 10 gallons for each adult discus so I would go with 6! But then I have 6 in a 50 gallon tank. While they are small its up to you, adults remember can get big!
Feeding I give mine beefheart, bloodworms, flake and tetra prima granuals!
They need clean water I do 10-15% daily water change!
Hope this helps.

 

[Glenbo1981]

I wouldnt feel comfortable with that many in a small tank, i would half it personally.

 

[chrisbassist]

Personally I'd stick with 6. But I haven't kept them before. That's from research I've done.
And yes a shoal of tetra will go in nicely. Corys I'm not sure of because discus like to eat off the bottom, so I can imagine arguments between them but hopefully someone who has done it before could say whether or not they will get on ok

 

[markandhisfish]

im just planning my 1st discus tank so i should point out this info is from research NOT experience.

if youre going to use the ro unit you should balance the ro water with tap water as reverse osmosis will also remove minerals etc from the water .
corydoras as a rule dont mix well with discus but this is just duee to the higher temperatures that the discus require , some people have had success with sterbai corys ,but even this is not ideal. if youre after some bottom dwellerd german blue rams work well.

6 in a tank that size is pushing it imo , especially if you want a shoal of tetras .

 

[1234-fishy-freind]

I think I will aim for a 55-60 gal then because I really want at least 6 as well as a shoal of tetras. I will look into a pair of german rams if corys isnt such a good idea. What would plecs be like with discus, or is that the same issue as with corys?
I was thinking about hatchet fish too to add ome interest to the top of the tank??

josh

 

[markandhisfish]

im not sure on the hatchetfish temperature requirements , goldne nugget plec should work ok as they like warmer water , just make sure it is well fed or it could turn to the discus slime coat .

 

[fish eyes]

Hello

I found when i had a plec in my tank it just tried to feed on the side of the discus so now i wouldn't keep them together.

 

[rdp50734]

I keep 2 small flash plecs with mine! No problems yet!

 

[1234-fishy-freind]

Plecs will eat the slime coat of a discus?! Wow, you learn something new every day on here.

I might just stick with a shoal of cardinals, which would mean I could keep a few more, will decide nearer the time!

josh

 

[1234-fishy-freind]

I have now been looking at a 36" x 24" x 24" 340 lires/75UK gallon. I think this would be more suitable to 8 discus and a larger shoal of cardinals.

What is the problem with using RO water in a discus tank?

josh

 

[rdp50734]

8 in a 75G should be fine with a shoal of cardinals! I personally dont use RO water it seems to much hassel! I have very soft water where I live and I buffer the water down to PH 6.5. I do 10-15% water change a day so it would work out quite a bit to buy over a year!

 

[1234-fishy-freind]

I already have the ro unit as I have a marine tank too so it wouldnt really be any extra hassle. Are there any dissadvantages to using it with discus, will it take out any nutrients they need? I thought that since it is very low in nitrates, phosphates ect it would be better for them and keep the water cleaner, meaning maybe only 2 water changes a week.

rdp, what are you feeding your discus? what colour morphs do you have? Im looking for inspiration!

josh

 

[rdp50734]

I think I have 2 red melons 2 pigeon bloods 1 blue colbalt and 1 green one! Im not sure of all bthe different types! I feed tetra prima granules, bloodworm, beefheart and flake. Il find the camera out and take a snap if you like!

 

[rdp50734]