After my recent move, I had promised myself to go with a planted Discus tank. Due to my new small apartment (I just moved to NYC from Florida), the only tank I could set up again was my 55g, as my 92 gallon corner was simply too big. I do keep a Betta in a pod 
Anyway, I started the 55 g planted tank back up, and since I have had some success in the planted tank game, I wanted to try Discus. When venturing into a planted Dicus tank situation, I have read recommendations that you should have successfully maintained at least one of these situations in the past (i.e. Discus or a planted tank). Here in Brooklyn, there is a local Breeder who uses this tap water and nothing else, as it is very good for Discus. Hence, due to having no room for my RO Unit and that process, I thought it would be perfect to order from this person due to the fact that he uses the same water. That said, I started stocking my planted tank via orders from aquabid, and due to some seller mistakes in delivery and some other issues, I ended up with a fully stocked tank before I made it to Discus. I had research articles on planted aquaria and discus. I planned on doing one large, weekly water change and feeding once to twice a day. Due to this plan, I knew I had to get 'larger discus', and if I was to only keep two it should probably be a breeding pair. 4 would be more ideal, but there is simply no way.
I am running two old 65 watt bulbs on the tank. There is a good deal of riccia on the surface, providing some shade. I have a powerhead on one side of the tank and a fluval 305 outlet on the other. I dose ferts. I inject co2. The PH is usally at 6.5, but it climbs slightly at night and may go as low as 6.0 during the day. The tank temp is now a steady 84f, but I'd like to get it to 82-83.
My problem, as stated, is my stocking. Here is the list, and keep in mind that the tank is fully planted:
1. 16 Cardinal Tetras (16 inches)
2. 5 Blue Rams (long fins) (15 inches)
3. 2 SAEs (up to 10 inches)
4. 2 bristlenose plecs (albinos) (6 inches)
5. 3 Clown Killifish (1 male and 2 females, which was result of mailing error) (4 inches)
6. 2 Botia Striata (6 inches) - This means at least 57 inches of fish, though only a few of these species have made it to the sizes I listed)
7. A few Amano Shrimp
8. A few Assassin Snails
8. MTSs
So, pending some deaths, which I really don't want to see, I don't think I have the room nor the filtration necessary to add Discus. I have only intended to have a trio of Rams, a dozen Cardinals, and no Killifish (this would have left me at least 14 extra inches of fish to add). I like the fact that I ended up with some great aquabid deals, but the Discus keeping goal continues to elude me. Please advise if I could keep 2-3 Discus in this tank, and, if not, what kind of changes, without too drastic of measures, could I make in order to keep some Discus??? I don't want to do a bare bottom tank until I start breeding fish until a get a big house and can make a fish room, if ever.
Anyway, I started the 55 g planted tank back up, and since I have had some success in the planted tank game, I wanted to try Discus. When venturing into a planted Dicus tank situation, I have read recommendations that you should have successfully maintained at least one of these situations in the past (i.e. Discus or a planted tank). Here in Brooklyn, there is a local Breeder who uses this tap water and nothing else, as it is very good for Discus. Hence, due to having no room for my RO Unit and that process, I thought it would be perfect to order from this person due to the fact that he uses the same water. That said, I started stocking my planted tank via orders from aquabid, and due to some seller mistakes in delivery and some other issues, I ended up with a fully stocked tank before I made it to Discus. I had research articles on planted aquaria and discus. I planned on doing one large, weekly water change and feeding once to twice a day. Due to this plan, I knew I had to get 'larger discus', and if I was to only keep two it should probably be a breeding pair. 4 would be more ideal, but there is simply no way.
I am running two old 65 watt bulbs on the tank. There is a good deal of riccia on the surface, providing some shade. I have a powerhead on one side of the tank and a fluval 305 outlet on the other. I dose ferts. I inject co2. The PH is usally at 6.5, but it climbs slightly at night and may go as low as 6.0 during the day. The tank temp is now a steady 84f, but I'd like to get it to 82-83.
My problem, as stated, is my stocking. Here is the list, and keep in mind that the tank is fully planted:
1. 16 Cardinal Tetras (16 inches)
2. 5 Blue Rams (long fins) (15 inches)
3. 2 SAEs (up to 10 inches)
4. 2 bristlenose plecs (albinos) (6 inches)
5. 3 Clown Killifish (1 male and 2 females, which was result of mailing error) (4 inches)
6. 2 Botia Striata (6 inches) - This means at least 57 inches of fish, though only a few of these species have made it to the sizes I listed)
7. A few Amano Shrimp
8. A few Assassin Snails
8. MTSs
So, pending some deaths, which I really don't want to see, I don't think I have the room nor the filtration necessary to add Discus. I have only intended to have a trio of Rams, a dozen Cardinals, and no Killifish (this would have left me at least 14 extra inches of fish to add). I like the fact that I ended up with some great aquabid deals, but the Discus keeping goal continues to elude me. Please advise if I could keep 2-3 Discus in this tank, and, if not, what kind of changes, without too drastic of measures, could I make in order to keep some Discus??? I don't want to do a bare bottom tank until I start breeding fish until a get a big house and can make a fish room, if ever.
