i mean discus fish how hard can it be???

[Bilals]

come on guys really how hard is it to keep discus fish i have a juwel 180 and want to keep discus's but i have been put of by reading posts in this forum that they are hard work??? really how hard thats what i want to know??

thanx

bilal

peace in da middel east

 

[abstract]

i assume you have an RO unit already and have done some research? if so, you would know why they are so hard...it's not that they aren't recommended for newbies...it's that no newbie should EVER keep discus...all the hard work comes from having to keep the water pristine...they aren't as tolerant as other fish.

 

[BOD]

water params have to be perfect they also have higher temps that most fish dont like, plus to keep water immaculate you are looking at many water changes that most people just do not have the time and patience for.

 

[jimbooo]

and when a £70 fish goes belly up it's a little more frustrating than loosing a neon.

 

[annka5]

IMO, if you really want to keep them and do some research, why not? So long as you start off with the tank set up appropriately and the right tank-mates (shoal of small tetra's to act as dither fish, for example), that helps. You need to change water more often than with most fish so thats more work; also the tank needs to be somewhere quiet ideally, but if you've the right spot for it. It's not more difficult to keep fish ar 29C than at 24C if you've the right heater.
Also, if you really like a given fish, then you'll spend far more time watching it and so learn to spot problems before they become a disaster.

 

[abstract]

researching them is a lot different than being able to take care of them properly....if he/she doesn't have an RO unit, IMO, i wouldnt bother even trying.....even with the proper amount of research, no newb should keep discus, especially if they don't even spend enough time researching them on their own and instead ask for quick answers....

 

[jaywings19]

An R/O unit is not required for Discus. I have successfully kept healthy Discus for over a year without an R/O unit. They have grown a lot in that time and their colors are brighter than ever.

However, you need to put in a lot of reading and research about Discus before going to buy them. Make sure you know their preferred tank size, water parameters, decor, lighting, tankmates, feeding habits, etc.

There is also a lot of dedication involved to keep the tank and water in pristine quality. You cannot skip a cleaning or water change with these fish.

I would suggest caring for other fish first to get more experience before venturing into Discus.

 

[freddyk]

An R/O unit is not required for Discus

Second that - it's not water perameters that kills discus, it's unclean water. The average nitrates of the average hobbiests aquarium can sicken and kill Discus - when they say pristine, they mean pristine!

 

[annka5]

I agree they're not a "first fish" but just because the post is from a "newbie" doesn't mean they are a complete beginner to tropical fish, just to the forum.
I still reckon if someone is really really keen to keep discus, they do the research, set the tank up well, and prepared to put the time into looking after them, there's no reason why they would necessarily fail.

 

[abstract]

nowhere in my post did i say that an RO unit is required for discus...i said that if he/she did not have an RO unit i would not even bother.....meaning that it is much easier to keep ideal conditions for your fish with an RO unit...simple..

the fact that this individual jumped here to ask for quick answers, and never responded to the thread again shows me that they are not willing to put in the effort...hence my not recommending for them to keep discus... ..i think i'm being pretty logical

 

[pica_nuttalli]

i think the R/O question is largely dependent on your local water supply. if you have soft 6.2 water like me, i'd think tank bred discus would be fine without the unit. but if you have hard 7.6 water, you might want to consider the investment a little more carefully.

I still reckon if someone is really really keen to keep discus, they do the research, set the tank up well, and prepared to put the time into looking after them, there's no reason why they would necessarily fail.

you're right, but those same requirements are why discus aren't recommended to anyone but the commited aquarist.

 

[freddyk]

I can assure you that with pristine water Discus do just fine in ph 7.6.

 

[abstract]

I can assure you that with pristine water Discus do just fine in ph 7.6.

that statement should be followed with "IME" IMO ..i'm sure many others would disagree

 

[freddyk]

And then I'd wonder if they've actually tried it...

 

[abstract]

And then I'd wonder if they've actually tried it...

donno why they would if they can maintain their tank at a pH optimal for the discus...but obviously, most important is consistency, not matching numbers exactly

how a discus raised in pH 6 water would fare in a pH of 7.6 is more the question i would ask..

EDIT: and please do not feel like i am insulting your intelligence or discounting your statement...i merely suggested that you add "in my experience" to posts such as the last one, since someone may end up making a mistake with an expensive and beautiful fish