Is This The Right Place For Discus Questions?

[sj022698]

I am wanting to go with Discus since I'm having to basically restart. I have a few problems.
I have a list of what fish can go with it but the discus needs water temp from 79-86 degrees and very very soft water. However, none of the the fish that say are compatible need much lower temp. and harder water

Livebearers- Don't even want
Tetras- Don't even want
Rasboras- Don't even want
Danios- Don't even want
Barbs- Don't even want
Gouramis- needs cooler water
Rainbowfish- Don't even want
Cory cats- Don't even want
Plecos- needs cooler water
peaceful scavengers- what would these include???

What about loaches, Leporinus, or any sharks?

My water is hard. With discus, I will need to be doing a 30% water change each week so buying distilled water will become expensive.

 

[annka5]

Discus need peaceful companions so I'd say no to the sharks etc. You might be better having only discus in the tank, given your list of what you don't want. Or consider a pair of ram's perhaps? They're pretty and like same water conditions, so long as they don't breed / have enough space, they should be fine with discus.
They are also likely to need more water changes than 30% a week, particularly juveniles. Assuming you keep them in a tank with substrate, I'd siphon this daily.
I've discus and change 20% every second day. Lots of people will recommend 25% daily, it depends on how well stocked your tank is.
WC will depend on how big the tank is etc, if you go for 10gal per fish with ABSOLUTE minimum of 45 galls (for a PAIR of adults).
Have you considered an RO unit? This should work out cheaper and easier than buying distilled water that often.
They are lovely fish and well worth the hassle, but only do well if you are prepared to put the time in.

 

[a.d.wood]

Hi there,

You seem to have rejected all the fish that could go in a discus community tamk (corydoras, tetras, plecs). So it seems the only thing you could keep with your discus would be more discus!!

Regards to your last comment that buying distilled water will become expensive > buy yourself a small RO unit to fit under your sink, will more than pay for itself in a year compared to having to buy water.

One other possibility > Pencil fish (Nannostomus morthenthaleri etc), although they have the body shape similar to tetra's so you may not like them.

Andrew

 

[The-Wolf]

I just found this article, it may intrest you
http/members.aol.com/bgdiscus/tm.htm

 

[big mick]

I keep angels with my discus and they get on fine. My tanks temp is 80 degrees. Because Discus are mostly tank bred now they are alot hardier than they used to be but they still have a reputation for being fragile. Not a fish for begginers but a pleasure to keep.

 

[Gourami Lover88]

Common angels are known to carry a parasite that is harmless to them but can kill discus. Actualy there are lots of plecos that live in the same are as discus, some plecos that have been seen in discus "territory" are Bristel nose, zebra, snow balls, clown, L30 and many more. Rockymountain Discus has info about plecos and discus

Most discus that are breed in the USA have become acostom to harder water, I belive that some breeders have discus in a Ph of 7.6 and they have spawned and made very sturdy discus. My Ph is 7.7-7.8 and mine have thrived- higher Ph is better for younger discus anyway.