Heating Question.....

[Sp00ky]

So, i have a 3x3x2 tank which im about to set up. I plan on keeping my discus in this tank and i have an image in my head that its going to look stunning ! however, i was planning on having a sand substrate and a sea of corys to fill the bottom of the tank. Now, heres the tricky thing, as some of you may know Discus prefer higher temperatures between 28-30. I keep mine currently at 30. I was thinking of 2 ways of heating the tank depending on the outcome of this question. I want to heavily plant it so the discus have plenty of hiding places and as such i was going to have under substrate heating to promote the plant growth. Corys obviously dont really like high temps so i thought this may not be such a good idea. HOWEVER, knowing what i know that heat rises, i was thinking of having 2 heaters (1 as a fail safe) and mounting it in the top part of the tank.

Would this then give the majority of the heat in the top half and leave the lower half cooler for the corys?

Any ideas would be great cheers!

 

[Tolak]

If you have water circulation, you will heat the entire tank. Consider getting some corys that can tolerate higher heat, such as sterbais.

 

[CFC]

Why not just get Corydoras sterbai or Brochis splendens which like the same high temperatures as discus? There are other high temperature tollerant Corydoras species too but those two came off the top of my head.

 

[Sp00ky]

I have about 13 different types of corys and am breeding several of them. I wasnt aware however that Sterbai would tolerate 30 degree temps though. That could be the way forward though, after all, the 3 adults i have are spawning 2 or 3 times a week. could have a good number to make the bottom look colourful

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Sp00ky

Not only do C. sterbai like the warmer temperatures, they thrive in them. I know someone whose sterbai spawned several times. right in his discus tank, without doing a thing to encourage them.

Since, until fairly recently, they were expensive and hard to find, they were considered a "status" fish and were often sought by discus keepers as a classy addition to their tanks. While they are more often found, they are still just as colorful and lovely as ever and are still frequently kept by them.

 

[Sp00ky]

Hi Sp00ky

Not only do C. sterbai like the warmer temperatures, they thrive in them. I know someone whose sterbai spawned several times. right in his discus tank, without doing a thing to encourage them.

Since, until fairly recently, they were expensive and hard to find, they were considered a "status" fish and were often sought by discus keepers as a classy addition to their tanks. While they are more often found, they are still just as colorful and lovely as ever and are still frequently kept by them.

Sterbai it is then!! best get the fry up to size quickly hehehehe