Why Do Juvenile Discus Need To Be Kept In A Bare Bottom Tank?

[SylvesterGraham]

Been searching the forums. I see a lot claiming that juveniles must be kept bb, but no reason why.

Thanks

 

[SylvesterGraham]

Also, another discus question... (which I may post in a seperate thread)... Is the minimum tank size requirement for discus about water quality, or space? I live in an apt and really don't want a 48" tank. So I was thinking a school of 6 in a 55 g with a 15 g sump. Would that work? I'm well aware of water quality requirements, and capable of maintaining them, just don't have the space for a large tank.

 

[mark2109111]

Also, another discus question... (which I may post in a seperate thread)... Is the minimum tank size requirement for discus about water quality, or space? I live in an apt and really don't want a 48" tank. So I was thinking a school of 6 in a 55 g with a 15 g sump. Would that work? I'm well aware of water quality requirements, and capable of maintaining them, just don't have the space for a large tank.

Young discus do not absolutly need a bare bottom tank. But they require large water changes and lots of food. The reasons they need so many water changes is because when they are growing they need so much food and make so much waste. And they water quality will stunt their growth if it is not perfect. As for your other question a four foot tank is the minimum size for a group of six discus.

 

[onidrase]

a 4 foot tank is minimum for any discus what so ever imo.

As mark said, it's just easier to keep a bare bottom tank clean. anything that settles on the bottom is easily sucked up by a gravel vac, and the filter picks most of it up anyway.

 

[SylvesterGraham]

a 4 foot tank is minimum for any discus what so ever imo.

Thanks for the reply.

However, I'd still like to know WHY discus need a four foot tank. Does anyone know? And also, you could have a four foot tank that was 20 gallons, if it were short and shallow.

 

[snowflake311]

I have been keeping discus for over a year now. You don't need bear bottom tank. They should be kept in groups and they need more room because they like to be kept in groups. More fish means larger tank.

Large tanks means more water. More water means nitrates are diluted so water quality stays better.

In my year of discus keeping I will say the fish get stunted very easy. My largest is 5" and it's a year old. My other are 4". That's not good. I messed I slaked off on feedings and wc too many times. Discus are not hard to keep but if you want to get them to grow well they are a lot of work.

Next time I get discus I am going to get them as adults.

 

[onidrase]

a 4 foot tank is minimum for any discus what so ever imo.

Thanks for the reply.

However, I'd still like to know WHY discus need a four foot tank. Does anyone know? And also, you could have a four foot tank that was 20 gallons, if it were short and shallow.

The length and width of the tank are more important than the height. The length is always the most important aspect. While you can have a 4 foot 20 gallon tank if it were short and shallow, it doesn't take rocket science to know that the shallowness makes it inappropriate for fish. to counter your argument, you can also have a 55 gallon tank that's only 10 inches long and make it 5 feet tall instead. They need 4 feet of length because they're very large, round fish, and this will give them room more room to swim in one direction as opposed to having to turn around all the time. Once again, not rocket science.

 

[SylvesterGraham]

[/quote]
. The length is always the most important aspect. While you can have a 4 foot 20 gallon tank if it were short and shallow, it doesn't take rocket science to know that the shallowness makes it inappropriate for fish
[/quote]

Uh, I know, that's why I made that comment. To demonstrate by example how you saying "they need a four foot tank" is both vague and tells me nothing about whether "a four foot tank" is required because discus need the volume or the space... K champ?

 

[onidrase]

Uh, I know, that's why I made that comment. To demonstrate by example how you saying "they need a four foot tank" is both vague and tells me nothing about whether "a four foot tank" is required because discus need the volume or the space... K champ?

Given that tanks of more than 20 gallons tend to be consistent in having 16, 18, 21, or 24 VERY RARELY 32 inches of height, people tend to be able assume the other dimensions of the tank. I think 16 would work just fine, but obviously bigger is better.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

A few other considerations. All discus are not created equal. First off there is a difference between what is needed to care for wilds vs the domestic strains. next. Among the domestic strains some are a lot hardier than others. So to some extent the nature of the care that will be required is a function of what fish you intend to choose.

There is also a difference in how one cares for small discus being grown out vs adult discus vs spawning discus. As noted above bare bottom makes a lot of things easier, but that does not mean a diligent keeper can not raise discus with substrate. The reason a lot of folks who spawn fish are partial to bare bottom tanks is they offer two distinct advantages. The first is it makes them easier to clean. This is because its easier to spot waste and poop on bare glass vs gravel etc. The other side of that is you will more easily be able to monitor how much is eaten and what the fish are pooping out and other interesting things. This same bare bottom approach works well for both Q and H tank applications. for the same reasons.

As for tank sizes. If you are trying to keep a spawning pair of adults you can do so in a smaller space than would be needed for a tank with a number of discus. I have managed for many years to keep a single pair in a 25 gallon tank. But I can also tell you that I was pushing the envelove. I would prefer to have done this in a somewhat larger tank had I had the space to do it.

So take the advice above and if you want to do discus, do not skimp on the tank size. It makes caring for the water quality easier as well as giving the discus the sort of space they need to do well. Unless one is dealing with fry, it is a good bet that more space will always be better than less space. Its kind of like clean water- have you ever heard anybody report their fish died because the water was too clean? Have you ever heard it reported that fish died because their tank was too big?

Lastly when they gains size, discus like angels need somewhat deeper tanks than less tall fish. So do not skimp on the height dimension either.

 

[This Younger Spouse]

A few other considerations. All discus are not created equal. First off there is a difference between what is needed to care for wilds vs the domestic strains. next. Among the domestic strains some are a lot hardier than others. So to some extent the nature of the care that will be required is a function of what fish you intend to choose.

There is also a difference in how one cares for small discus being grown out vs adult discus vs spawning discus. As noted above bare bottom makes a lot of things easier, but that does not mean a diligent keeper can not raise discus with substrate. The reason a lot of folks who spawn fish are partial to bare bottom tanks is they offer two distinct advantages. The first is it makes them easier to clean. This is because its easier to spot waste and poop on bare glass vs gravel etc. The other side of that is you will more easily be able to monitor how much is eaten and what the fish are pooping out and other interesting things. This same bare bottom approach works well for both Q and H tank applications. for the same reasons.

As for tank sizes. If you are trying to keep a spawning pair of adults you can do so in a smaller space than would be needed for a tank with a number of discus. I have managed for many years to keep a single pair in a 25 gallon tank. But I can also tell you that I was pushing the envelove. I would prefer to have done this in a somewhat larger tank had I had the space to do it.

So take the advice above and if you want to do discus, do not skimp on the tank size. It makes caring for the water quality easier as well as giving the discus the sort of space they need to do well. Unless one is dealing with fry, it is a good bet that more space will always be better than less space. Its kind of like clean water- have you ever heard anybody report their fish died because the water was too clean? Have you ever heard it reported that fish died because their tank was too big?

Lastly when they gains size, discus like angels need somewhat deeper tanks than less tall fish. So do not skimp on the height dimension either.

Thank you. For those willing the shut up, listen and learn, a goodly amount of expertise here.