hannapro
09-05-2015, 08:12 PM
The King of the Aquarium is none other than the Discus Fish. Why? Because this fish, I believe, is the most beautiful of all freshwater fish with many color variations, strains and personality. The Asians have created hundreds of color variations that are so beautiful as to cause many people to suddenly want these for themselves once seen. This is exactly how it happened for me.
I know there are many beautiful species in the fish keeping hobby today. African Cichlids like the ones from the east and those from the west. Africa Cichlids are very beautiful but not as personable as the Discus that are neither a small fish or a monster fish.
To have these fish is somewhat of a job. You really need to follow rules to keep these fish happy. However, my stand is that even a beginning fish hobbyist may be able to keep these beautiful fish if they do what it takes to have these fish. No, actually I will say, beginners CAN have discus when doing what it takes to care and maintain these fish.
Research is key to knowing what to do to maintain these fish and the most important is the nitrogen cycle on through to the stable tank. This is paramount to having a great home for these fish. What else is involved with a great home? Well, I recommend a species only biotope using driftwood laying on top of a quarter inch of sand substrate. Using almond leaves to create black water extract is also a great start to having discus feel very comfortable in their home.
My Discus tank setups are like I mentioned so, here is my total setup:
1. Stable tank after six weeks of seasoning the 55 gallon tank with 6.0 pH well water with no usage of R/O water and 2 large sponge filters.
a. I used household ammonia with no additives to raise ammonia to 5 ppm and maintained that each day until i began seeing, through testing, ammonia levels dropping to zero after one week.
b. Then when I began seeing Nitrites rising, which was a good sign, I continued the seasoning until nitrites began to drop. When nitrites was about 2 ppm, I began seeing a rise in nitrates. This was during a three week period.
c. I added driftwood and allowed beneficial colonies of bacteria to grow on this driftwood. This was accomplished through the fourth week.
d. At the four week point I added some Minnows to keep cycle active until Discus time.
e. After the 4 weeks of seasoning I began to realize a very stable tank situation. HOWEVER...
f. I kept this stabilization process going for another 2 weeks just to be safe with the well water, 1/4 inch of substrate, driftwood, Cardinales and cory's.
g. At six weeks I removed my minnows, bought my first school of Discus. Acclimated them using the drip method. I now had a species only tank of five discus in a 55 gallon species only aquarium. Now, I was now all setup and it took only six weeks. I know there are people out there that use a seasoned filter to place on their tank to have a right now tank setup but, I only use this way with all other fish that are not expensive to replace.
You may ask what filtration system did you use Willy T? Well, My first bout with discus I used Sponge filters due to the fact that they birth large colonies of beneficial bacteria. However, I eventually had to do a different filtration so I tried hang on back with the sponge filters with greater quality of water. But, I wanted more for them so I went CONDO. I began using canister filters with even greater success. All my filtration was setup as biological filtration systems.
When I did water changes of 50% everyday and sometimes twice a day my discus grew rather fast achieving 7 inches. However today I believe that process is like steroids. So, eventually I began doing 20% change each day. Remember well water has a lot of heavy metals so use prime for sure and get a metals detector if you can afford one.
So, Here is my total setup:
1. I use 6.0 pH well water with a prime like product called Diamond from ST International which I believe is better than prime.
2. My discus tanks have a temperature at 87 degrees Fahrenheit constant using two heaters in the tanks with one always as a backup if one becomes in-operational. Why 87 degrees well, I believe that at that temperature there is a very low chance that they will get a disease or parasite infestation.
3. I have Driftwood,both Malaysian and Mopani. I arrange the driftwood to be as aesthetic to my eyes as possible. I will tell you this: A biotope tank for a species only discus situation may not be pretty to your eyes but they are to discus. You see I think Discus.
4. I have a 1/4 inch of sand substrate. WHY? Remember, I said I have Cory's? Well, if I used gravel there would be a possibility that their barbels would get damaged, weaken the fish and they would die. and besides it's easier to disturb the substrate as I clean it and this helps to maintain my ideal water parameters. I do a 20% water change each day.
5. I use low lighting because discus do not need anymore than low lighting due to their bigger, than most fish, with that size eyes. I believe they are really stressed out with high lighting. So, if you desire to have a planted tank... Use low light amazon swords. There are many types of swords that will make for a great looking aquarium.
6. I now, spend as much time interating with them as possible because they really enjoy watching you looking at them. They have great personality and will talk to you if you just observe their behaviors. You will see through observation that they can tell you when there is problem with them. Now, the first thing I do when I see less than happy behavior is do a 90 % water change because I believe in that statement. WHEN IN DOUBT, WATER IT OUT.
Tips:
89663
1. Test your water at least once a week because believe it or not pH can and will change through time periods between water changes. This is why I do Daily changes and test before and after every change.
2. Love your Discus Pets and they will love you back...I promise this because perfect love begets perfect love.
3. Interact with them as much as possible.
4. Do the rules with the idea of "I Love My Fish"
5. Make them happy because they did not ask to be in your aquarium, you put them there.
6. Continue to research as new info from experts may be available
7. If you can afford it get Ayda Clarity a Black Mica Extract for your water.
I know there are many beautiful species in the fish keeping hobby today. African Cichlids like the ones from the east and those from the west. Africa Cichlids are very beautiful but not as personable as the Discus that are neither a small fish or a monster fish.
To have these fish is somewhat of a job. You really need to follow rules to keep these fish happy. However, my stand is that even a beginning fish hobbyist may be able to keep these beautiful fish if they do what it takes to have these fish. No, actually I will say, beginners CAN have discus when doing what it takes to care and maintain these fish.
Research is key to knowing what to do to maintain these fish and the most important is the nitrogen cycle on through to the stable tank. This is paramount to having a great home for these fish. What else is involved with a great home? Well, I recommend a species only biotope using driftwood laying on top of a quarter inch of sand substrate. Using almond leaves to create black water extract is also a great start to having discus feel very comfortable in their home.
My Discus tank setups are like I mentioned so, here is my total setup:
1. Stable tank after six weeks of seasoning the 55 gallon tank with 6.0 pH well water with no usage of R/O water and 2 large sponge filters.
a. I used household ammonia with no additives to raise ammonia to 5 ppm and maintained that each day until i began seeing, through testing, ammonia levels dropping to zero after one week.
b. Then when I began seeing Nitrites rising, which was a good sign, I continued the seasoning until nitrites began to drop. When nitrites was about 2 ppm, I began seeing a rise in nitrates. This was during a three week period.
c. I added driftwood and allowed beneficial colonies of bacteria to grow on this driftwood. This was accomplished through the fourth week.
d. At the four week point I added some Minnows to keep cycle active until Discus time.
e. After the 4 weeks of seasoning I began to realize a very stable tank situation. HOWEVER...
f. I kept this stabilization process going for another 2 weeks just to be safe with the well water, 1/4 inch of substrate, driftwood, Cardinales and cory's.
g. At six weeks I removed my minnows, bought my first school of Discus. Acclimated them using the drip method. I now had a species only tank of five discus in a 55 gallon species only aquarium. Now, I was now all setup and it took only six weeks. I know there are people out there that use a seasoned filter to place on their tank to have a right now tank setup but, I only use this way with all other fish that are not expensive to replace.
You may ask what filtration system did you use Willy T? Well, My first bout with discus I used Sponge filters due to the fact that they birth large colonies of beneficial bacteria. However, I eventually had to do a different filtration so I tried hang on back with the sponge filters with greater quality of water. But, I wanted more for them so I went CONDO. I began using canister filters with even greater success. All my filtration was setup as biological filtration systems.
When I did water changes of 50% everyday and sometimes twice a day my discus grew rather fast achieving 7 inches. However today I believe that process is like steroids. So, eventually I began doing 20% change each day. Remember well water has a lot of heavy metals so use prime for sure and get a metals detector if you can afford one.
So, Here is my total setup:
1. I use 6.0 pH well water with a prime like product called Diamond from ST International which I believe is better than prime.
2. My discus tanks have a temperature at 87 degrees Fahrenheit constant using two heaters in the tanks with one always as a backup if one becomes in-operational. Why 87 degrees well, I believe that at that temperature there is a very low chance that they will get a disease or parasite infestation.
3. I have Driftwood,both Malaysian and Mopani. I arrange the driftwood to be as aesthetic to my eyes as possible. I will tell you this: A biotope tank for a species only discus situation may not be pretty to your eyes but they are to discus. You see I think Discus.
4. I have a 1/4 inch of sand substrate. WHY? Remember, I said I have Cory's? Well, if I used gravel there would be a possibility that their barbels would get damaged, weaken the fish and they would die. and besides it's easier to disturb the substrate as I clean it and this helps to maintain my ideal water parameters. I do a 20% water change each day.
5. I use low lighting because discus do not need anymore than low lighting due to their bigger, than most fish, with that size eyes. I believe they are really stressed out with high lighting. So, if you desire to have a planted tank... Use low light amazon swords. There are many types of swords that will make for a great looking aquarium.
6. I now, spend as much time interating with them as possible because they really enjoy watching you looking at them. They have great personality and will talk to you if you just observe their behaviors. You will see through observation that they can tell you when there is problem with them. Now, the first thing I do when I see less than happy behavior is do a 90 % water change because I believe in that statement. WHEN IN DOUBT, WATER IT OUT.
Tips:
89663
1. Test your water at least once a week because believe it or not pH can and will change through time periods between water changes. This is why I do Daily changes and test before and after every change.
2. Love your Discus Pets and they will love you back...I promise this because perfect love begets perfect love.
3. Interact with them as much as possible.
4. Do the rules with the idea of "I Love My Fish"
5. Make them happy because they did not ask to be in your aquarium, you put them there.
6. Continue to research as new info from experts may be available
7. If you can afford it get Ayda Clarity a Black Mica Extract for your water.