Switching 29 Gallon Tank To 55 Gallon.

[ryguy]

ok then i will go for argonite. where are some places i can get it. i know LFS, but i dont want to go there because of the increased price for same thing. do hardware stores sell it?

 

[divisible by zero]

dunno, be careful you may come home with cement mix B)

i'd just go with play sand then.

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

Doesn't argonite increase Ph?!? I would be very careful, especially because Discus and Ram like the more soft, acidic waters. Play sand would be best.



With Discus, especially if they are under 5-6 inches (almost all LFS carry them like this), you want to be doing daily water changes.


Once they get big, because of your stocking, I would do water changes at least twice a week.

 

[divisible by zero]

hold on i'll test.argonite crushed coral brought my 6.0 to looks like 6.8 unless i added to many drops, i'm doing this in the dark while watching a movie.

 

[bentfish]

i have a 55 gal with 3 discus, 20 neon tetras, 4 various gouramis, 2 angelfish,2 bala sharks, 2 braziliana cichlids, 1 crazy catfish, 12"plecostumus, all have been living together happily for over 18mths......i dont recommend putting tiger barbs in there tho crazy fish

You may end up with some problems.... I feel sorry for those Discus. Some of those fish will out grow that tank...

thanks cycling a 7ft tank at the mo for the discus an pleco moving house tomorrow yep yepee

 

[ryguy]

ok then if i get play sand what is the best way to keep algea down without use of chemicals? i am going to add more plants that i know will relive some of this but are there any other ways aswell>


o and i heard having like 2-3 crabs would be good for sifting sand. is this a good idea. i know they dont cause problems normally but with discus i dont know if its a good idea

 

[afishdude]

crabs no, they need to have less than 4" of water so they can get out of the water.


if you want something to control algae and sift the sand then get MTS

 

[ryguy]

whats an mts?

 

[afishdude]

malaysian trumpet snail
http/www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_Melanoi...tuberculata.php

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

The best way to keep algae at bay, is to get some fast growing plants who use the nutrients the algae need to grow, along with a algae scraper if any is seen.

 

[ryguy]

and what about the sand sifting. i dont know if i want snailsd because they reproduce so quickly

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

and what about the sand sifting. i dont know if i want snailsd because they reproduce so quickly

Not all snails do. Pest snails breed like rabbits, but most snails aren't so bad.


If you don't want snails, just sift the sand with your hands once a week.

 

[Biulu]

If you have enough plants, you won't need a sand sifter. What you want to avoid with sand is that you get anaerobic pockets, which cause debris to rot and release toxic gases. If you don't want to have a lot of live plants, why don't you get a fine gravel (around 3mm), such as silica. This doesn't alter your ph, is still cory friendly, and avoids the anaerobic pockets.

 

[ryguy]

well thats good because i am getting plants and i have a few right now sso then it should be no problem

 

[BNyleen581]

I read over your topic and I will be a little random in my answers, but I speak from experience.

First, most people have Cardinal Tetras with their Discuss. Cardinals are a bit bigger than Neon’s. Neon’s will do fine, but if you want to avoid any problems I would go with Cardinal Tetras.

As for the sand definitely get play sand or even better, pool filter sand. I have play sand in my tank now and it compacts a little more than pool filter sand does. I also have MTS (Malayan Trumpet Snail) in my tank and they do not bread out of control. Every once and a while you will see tones of little tiny baby snails along the substrate, but they usually die off due to lack of food.

Sifting the sand, I only do once every two water changes and that seems to do fine. Never had a problem with toxic gasses, but I also have a bunch of plants.

Another way to keep algae at bay are Cherry Shrimp. They are beautiful and small and eat everything algae in sight. Your Discuss might take a bight out of one here and there, but they will reproduce enough to keep a steady clan of them. As for Angel fish in the tank those guys will eat Cherry Shrimp like little chocolate covered strawberries.

I would say before you get your Discuss (assuming you haven't got them already) I would get your tank exactly how you want it, wait a month or two, then add your discuss after some additional research. Thos guys are spendy, and very high-demand fish, if you don't spoil them they often die.