New Discus Owner!

[Flash-Gordon]

Hi Everyone! :wave:

I've had my new Discus for almost 3 weeks now and have been browsing the forum a lot.

Thought I'd join and intoroduce myself :)

I'm from South Africa and here is my setup - I bought them from a good friend who unfortunately had to sell them , he has had them for over 2 years and had them since they were little babies :o

Hoping to get some great advice and looking forward to all the knowledge this forum has to offer!!

Pics were taken about an hour after they were transported and introduced into their new home and tank again.

Enjoy!

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag132/flash-gordon1/20130911_174200_zps08d49a50.jpg (http://s1302.photobucket.com/user/flash-gordon1/media/20130911_174200_zps08d49a50.jpg.html)

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag132/flash-gordon1/20130908_202349_zps93eefa0b.jpg (http://s1302.photobucket.com/user/flash-gordon1/media/20130908_202349_zps93eefa0b.jpg.html)




Chow :wave:

[du3ce]

i would take all the deco out and change the substrate to white or black sand

[Madaboutdiscus]

i would take all the deco out and change the substrate to white or black sand

+1

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

[Trubble]

They are very pretty. Congratulations on your new babies, and welcome to Simply.

[strawberryblonde]

Hi Flash and welcome to the forums! =)

I agree with the others that you might want to remove some of the brighter decor and replace the gravel with a white sand. It will make your discus really pop!

You have gorgeous pigeon bloods there. No peppering, nice and clean and pretty. And that turq is a real fatty. LOL

Enjoy them, they are SO addictive!

[Flash-Gordon]

Thanks for the advice and comments guys!! I bought the tank like this, I will take your advice! I want to keep these beautiful creatures healthy and happy!! :D

Would you guys suggest I add 1 or 2 more Discus and a algae eater perhaps?

[mastermamo]

Hey Flash

Nice looking pidgeon. Like ppl have said remove the substrate and add fine sand.

If u need any help pm me.

I'm in CT and have gorgeous fish in stock if u r looking

Mo

[timmy82]

Thanks for the advice and comments guys!! I bought the tank like this, I will take your advice! I want to keep these beautiful creatures healthy and happy!! :D

Would you guys suggest I add 1 or 2 more Discus and a algae eater perhaps?

Good idea, what size tank is it ? Normal stocking ratio 1 discus per 10g or 38 ltrs. The picture looks like about a 4ft 200ltrs??
If you want something for cleaning a small L pleco of some sort would be fine.

[camuth8]

Probably won't need an algae eater, because it doesn't look like your tank is gonna get much algae.:D If you're tank is big enough(at least 55 gallons or 208 liters), I'd suggest getting a few more. I also agree on taking out all the gravel and decorations. First of all, discus need a tank with no ammonia and very few nitrates and nitrites. Gravel hides a lot of stuff under it that you won't even get with your siphon that is the main cause of that. Also, and this is just my opinion, deco like skulls and fake stuff doesn't look very good with discus. They're more of a wood and plants fish, if you know what I mean.:)

[Flash-Gordon]

Thanks Guys!! :ty:

It is a 4ft 240L tank. Based on you guys suggestions, If I had to take out all the decor, can I add some green to the tank? Green plants? Real or fake? Also what colour sand would look best with lots of green?

I want to keep the fishies as happy as possible!!

Thanks again ppl! I really appreciate all your comments and advice! :ty:

[musicmarn1]

If you have gravel or sand you have to do BIG, daily water changes, or they don't grow well

[mastermamo]

Thanks Guys!! :ty:

It is a 4ft 240L tank. Based on you guys suggestions, If I had to take out all the decor, can I add some green to the tank? Green plants? Real or fake? Also what colour sand would look best with lots of green?

I want to keep the fishies as happy as possible!!

Thanks again ppl! I really appreciate all your comments and advice! :ty:

Don't add plastic plants etc. And as a beginner you shouldn't consider going the planted route until you have researched what goes into it.
IMO 2 options:
1. Bare bottom tank
2. Fine layer of river sand or silica (keep it natural coloured to bring out the Color in your fish)

You can add some nice Dragon Rock or Mopani wood to give it some decor.

That's it's for starters

What filtration do u have ?

Mopani Wood
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/20/tu2esu6e.jpg

Dragonrock
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/20/zynetamu.jpg

[Tony C]

If you have gravel or sand you have to do BIG, daily water changes, or they don't grow well

At two years old I don't think that will be a problem. ;)

[camuth8]

At two years old I don't think that will be a problem. ;)

+1

[Flash-Gordon]

thx for all the info guys!!

Highly appreciated!!

[Flash-Gordon]

Small update people :

I will be relocating soon, and have gotten gravel etc as per your suggestions. When I do the big move, out with the old and in with the new :)

Current state of tank :

Aquasafe established nice and clean water

I've added 2 pleco's and 5 apple snails to help with maintenance :o

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag132/flash-gordon1/20131026_220723_zps94b13d82.jpg (http://s1302.photobucket.com/user/flash-gordon1/media/20131026_220723_zps94b13d82.jpg.html)

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag132/flash-gordon1/20131028_192927_zpsf0849778.jpg (http://s1302.photobucket.com/user/flash-gordon1/media/20131028_192927_zpsf0849778.jpg.html)

What you guys think? :p

[Wildcaught dutchman]

@Flash-Gordon:Discus look great.Only dislike the stones.:mad:

[mastermamo]

Your substrate is doing nothing to bring out your colors of the discus. A lighter color would be better

[Flash-Gordon]

Thx Guys

I know you all hate the gravel, but as stated, have already gotten a lighter and finer gravel, mopani wood and dragon rocks.

I will relocate in 4 weeks and upon relocation, I will add all the new decor and gravel. Don't want to do a big clean 4 weeks before moving and adding new stuff in to the tank.

Your advice and opinions are all greatly appreciated and welcome!!

Will keep you guys posted!!

Thx again members!!

[troysdiiscus]

Flash, that pleco maybe an issue. I was going to suggest not getting it but its too late. They get big and can get very food aggressive. They also like the taste of discus slim coat and can attach themselves to them. Not a big snail guy, apple snails can get rather large and hope you have all females or you could have an invasion of snails. They are many types of pleco's out there thay are suitable, I prefer to just wipe down the sides of tanks...

[Flash-Gordon]

Thx for the advice troy!!

What pleco's exactly will stay small? are they all a threat to the discus?

How does one know which snails are male or female?

sorry for the questions, not familiar with all the different species!

Thx again!

[troysdiiscus]

Hey flash, you can go with the bristle nose pleco, L181/183 L52 those alot lol....but to be sure you can go with a bristle nose, they are fine....
Not sure you can tell the difference thats one reason I do not do snails, unless you have a heavy planted tank, which I dont have anymore. They are ok about cleaning but my god when they start to lay, then BAM!! there is a ton of them. You can try to take out the eggs you see but I can assure you will NOT get them all, Its hard to eradicate them with out tearing down your tank. Some like em, some dont.

[Magoo40]

Thx for the advice troy!!

What pleco's exactly will stay small? are they all a threat to the discus?

How does one know which snails are male or female?

sorry for the questions, not familiar with all the different species!

Thx again!

1 Snail can reproduce, they carry both sex organs i Know because i have 1 Snail then all of a sudden i had a dozen.

[troysdiiscus]

trumphet snails, ramshorn snails are asexual, apple snails and mystery snails are not, however the apple snail can keep some of the male sperm left over after they lay and lay again without needing the male.
1 Snail can reproduce, they carry both sex organs i Know because i have 1 Snail then all of a sudden i had a dozen.

[Flash-Gordon]

Really interesting info guys!! Thx!!

Also wanting to add more discus, but finding a reputable discus breeder/seller here in South Africa is quite the task.

Which strings/colors should I add? Bearing in mind that the thank will be changed to a lighter substrate etc? Or is it purely up to you? Don't want unhappy fish :o

[Muzammil]

Choice of strains/colour is upto your own taste. And regarding the move, please be careful about filter. Do not discard off or dry off or completely replace the existing filter, even if you would like to change the whole setup.


Good Luck