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nereef
Guest
Can someone go over the basics of a discus tank?
preparing water
feeding
setup
tankmates
etc
preparing water
feeding
setup
tankmates
etc
ophiura
Active Member
I have never kept discus, but they are on the "harder" end of freshwater systems. In general, they do best in softwater tanks with calm tank mates. They are typically in dimly lit - or basically heavily planted tanks. Tank mates often include large schools of cardinal or rummy nose tetras, but other peaceful schooling tetras are fine.
The tanks are relatively low flow, low pH systems (again often seen in planted tanks).
Selection of fish is very important and many do not thrive. But they are, under appropriate conditions, some of the single most amazing freshwater fish I think you will find.
The tanks are relatively low flow, low pH systems (again often seen in planted tanks).
Selection of fish is very important and many do not thrive. But they are, under appropriate conditions, some of the single most amazing freshwater fish I think you will find.
windmill
Member
I thought it was higher PH......like 8.6 or something.
I did some research on discus a while back but have never kept them myself. I knew a friend that did though.....not for long tragically. I remember hearing they were expensive fish.
Now that I think of it.....it might've been the temperature that was supposed to be higher....like 86 or something. I got that 8 and 6 somewhere.
I did some research on discus a while back but have never kept them myself. I knew a friend that did though.....not for long tragically. I remember hearing they were expensive fish.
Now that I think of it.....it might've been the temperature that was supposed to be higher....like 86 or something. I got that 8 and 6 somewhere.
lion_crazz
Active Member
Ophiura is correct. They definitely need a lower pH, in the range of 6.0-6.5 and a higher temperature, in the range of 82-88. They absolutely do best in a heavily planted aquarium.
I would say they are the most difficult freshwater fish to keep, with some people doing water changes 2 or 3 times a week just to keep the water quality as perfect as possible. They do not tolerate nitrates very well, and you must pick the tank mates for the aquarium carefully.
They feed on a variety of foods, which include bloodworms, beefheart, daphnia, mosquito larvae, and other small meaty foods.
I would say they are the most difficult freshwater fish to keep, with some people doing water changes 2 or 3 times a week just to keep the water quality as perfect as possible. They do not tolerate nitrates very well, and you must pick the tank mates for the aquarium carefully.
They feed on a variety of foods, which include bloodworms, beefheart, daphnia, mosquito larvae, and other small meaty foods.
ophiura
Active Member
When done well, IMO, such a tank rivals a saltwater system. IMO it overlaps...in general freshwater is more "forgiving" than saltwater. But I would say it is much easier to keep a FO or FOWLR saltwater tank than a discus tank. That is the crossover.
But simply GORGEOUS when done well, and soooooo relaxing to watch.
But simply GORGEOUS when done well, and soooooo relaxing to watch.
lion_crazz
Active Member
Originally Posted by ophiura
When done well, IMO, such a tank rivals a saltwater system. IMO it overlaps...in general freshwater is more "forgiving" than saltwater. But I would say it is much easier to keep a FO or FOWLR saltwater tank than a discus tank. That is the crossover.
But simply GORGEOUS when done well, and soooooo relaxing to watch.
I agree. I feel a fish only or FOWLR tank in saltwater is much easier than a discus tank.
When done well, IMO, such a tank rivals a saltwater system. IMO it overlaps...in general freshwater is more "forgiving" than saltwater. But I would say it is much easier to keep a FO or FOWLR saltwater tank than a discus tank. That is the crossover.
But simply GORGEOUS when done well, and soooooo relaxing to watch.
I agree. I feel a fish only or FOWLR tank in saltwater is much easier than a discus tank.
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anmldr
Guest
Discus (I have kept) like soft water like ophiura said - aka black water. Search jack wattley, his discus are very highly rated in the freshwater industry. They have beautiful colorations to them. Lion crazz also is correct in the feeding habits of discus.. Good luck, they are wonderful fish. When I bought my 125gal it was a huge debate in my mind whether or not to do a discus or delve into the sw industry.
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nereef
Guest
thanks folks. i assume you use RODI water and add something to it to drop the pH, right? how do you achieve the low pH? what size tank should be used?
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nereef
Guest
are they all the same species that have been artificially selected?
sepulatian
Moderator
Originally Posted by NEreef
thanks folks. i assume you use RODI water and add something to it to drop the pH, right? how do you achieve the low pH? what size tank should be used?
If you have a heavily planted tank (you will need at least t-5's to keep the plants alive) then you will eventualy not need to wory about ph. There is a product called "Black Water Extract" It mimics the water that most of these fish are from. Low ph comes from a high acidity in the water. Decomposed plants give you a high amount of disolved organics. This is the same reason that high nitrates will throw off the ph in a salt system. In this case the fish need a high amount of acidity in the water. Do not confuse what I am saying. Nitrates still cannot go over 30ppm. The plants will feed off of the nitrates anyway. Discus are no more hard to keep than a reef. They are about the same as far as responsibility goes. Not hard at all, just be observent of the water quality.
thanks folks. i assume you use RODI water and add something to it to drop the pH, right? how do you achieve the low pH? what size tank should be used?
If you have a heavily planted tank (you will need at least t-5's to keep the plants alive) then you will eventualy not need to wory about ph. There is a product called "Black Water Extract" It mimics the water that most of these fish are from. Low ph comes from a high acidity in the water. Decomposed plants give you a high amount of disolved organics. This is the same reason that high nitrates will throw off the ph in a salt system. In this case the fish need a high amount of acidity in the water. Do not confuse what I am saying. Nitrates still cannot go over 30ppm. The plants will feed off of the nitrates anyway. Discus are no more hard to keep than a reef. They are about the same as far as responsibility goes. Not hard at all, just be observent of the water quality.
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nereef
Guest
i've read that discus don't do well in well-lit aquariums. won't t5s give some added stress?
sepulatian
Moderator
Originally Posted by NEreef
i've read that discus don't do well in well-lit aquariums. won't t5s give some added stress?
Plants don't live in low light. All plants are photosynthetic. The plants cover and absorb, yet block the light from the fish. That is one of the reasons the tank needs to be heavily planted.
i've read that discus don't do well in well-lit aquariums. won't t5s give some added stress?
Plants don't live in low light. All plants are photosynthetic. The plants cover and absorb, yet block the light from the fish. That is one of the reasons the tank needs to be heavily planted.
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nereef
Guest
what size of tank would you recommend? does water change water need to sit and aerate before added? will most common aquatic plants do well in the acidic conditions?
ophiura
Active Member
Yes, most plants will prefer the acidic conditions, but many won't tolerate the higher temperature. There is some research into selecting appropriate plants.
I would personally disagree on the need for t5, as I have seen heavily planted tanks with normal output. But it comes down to plant selection. Cryptocorns and Anubias, as well as java fern and some sword plants will do OK in "lower" lights. For maximum selection of plants, I would suggest getting stronger lights. There are definitely plants that require it, but it is not impossible with "lesser" lights.
I would also suggest a substrate for planted tanks such as laterite with fine gravels. Carbon dioxide systems are also recommended for heavily planted tanks. I do not see the need for heavily aerated water...to maintain lower pH, in fact, you don't want heavy aeration (hence the low flow, and the carbon dioxide "injection").
You may even look into a substrate heater.
Instead of additives, you can also run peat moss in the filters. "Black water" is basically tea. It is tannins and such leached from plant matter (exactly like tea
) so running water through peat moss provides this same effect. This also reduces the pH.
I personally would not go under a 55 or so for Discus at a minimum.
I would personally disagree on the need for t5, as I have seen heavily planted tanks with normal output. But it comes down to plant selection. Cryptocorns and Anubias, as well as java fern and some sword plants will do OK in "lower" lights. For maximum selection of plants, I would suggest getting stronger lights. There are definitely plants that require it, but it is not impossible with "lesser" lights.
I would also suggest a substrate for planted tanks such as laterite with fine gravels. Carbon dioxide systems are also recommended for heavily planted tanks. I do not see the need for heavily aerated water...to maintain lower pH, in fact, you don't want heavy aeration (hence the low flow, and the carbon dioxide "injection").
You may even look into a substrate heater.
Instead of additives, you can also run peat moss in the filters. "Black water" is basically tea. It is tannins and such leached from plant matter (exactly like tea
I personally would not go under a 55 or so for Discus at a minimum.
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nereef
Guest
thanks everyone for the help. i have a 90 fowlr with some inverts. some day i plan on a 125 or 180 for a reef tank, and i am considering turning my 90 into a discus tank at that time.
so the discus tank would be a 90 with pc lights. i suppose i will run dump filters with peat moss for maintaining pH. do most people run carbon on a discus display? does the peat moss act to buffer down the pH, or does it just lower the pH of the water so that it would have to be monitered carefully?
so the discus tank would be a 90 with pc lights. i suppose i will run dump filters with peat moss for maintaining pH. do most people run carbon on a discus display? does the peat moss act to buffer down the pH, or does it just lower the pH of the water so that it would have to be monitered carefully?
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nereef
Guest
bump.
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nereef
Guest
i just joined a discus forum, and i'll keep you guys posted.