LucasCCA
05-11-2016, 05:33 PM
Hi everyone,
I going to start a journal here for my first experience with Discus.
1) Please Introduce your self and tell us what your experience is with fishkeeping, give us as much information as possible as to how long in the hobby, what you have kept in the past and what you currently are working with.
I am currently a sophmore in high school, and have been keeping fish for about 10 years, and have been part of the Capital Cichlid Association for the last 7 years. I have bred a wide variety of fish, ranging from angels to plecos. I just received a group of Hemichromis Cerogaster (IUCN red list) from a friend in the club which I am very excited about. I am currently running around 20 tanks and am going to finally be setting up a fish room this summer. I have been interested in Discus for awhile but never been in the right state, financially or otherwise, to keep them. I am finally ready.
2) If you have no previous experience with keeping discus, have you done any research to properly prepare yourself, e.g. have you read any Stickies in this section of SimplyDiscus, or other material?
For the last month I have been reading through Simply as well as watching many informational videos. I have also talked with some of my fellow club members who keep Discus. I feel fairly prepared now, but could definitely still use some advice.
3) Describe your tank, its size and dimensions, breeding or display. Include how long it has been setup or if it is still being cycled.
My tank is a standard 75 gallon (to be drilled) with a 40g sump. I am going to paint the bottom and maybe the back and sides. I am planning on using it as a grow out for the group I get from Hans. It is currently running but I am going to take it down this weekend to drill it and switch out the stand, this will be done over the course of the next two weeks.
4) Describe the décor for the tank; type of substrate or bare bottom (BB), whether the tank will be planted or a biotope.
It will be a bare bottom tank because it will be a grow out. However I am going to have some potted amazon swords, as well as chinese evergreen or pothos growing out the back to help with nitrates. I will also have have java fern growing in the sump.
5) Describe your water changes planned or practiced, percentage and how often. Include if you age your water and use of tap/RO or mix.
I am planning on doing a 90% change three to four times a week during the summer while they're younger and I have more time. Then switch to twice a week 90% during the school year. I am going to use tap and I have not found it necessary to age my water.
6) Describe the type of filtration planned/used for the tank; sponge, HOB and/or sump. Also include the other equipment you are, or will be, using in your tank, e.g. heater, lighting, etc.
I am building a sump using a 40g breeder and a trickle tower. In addition I am running an FX5 right now and will continue to use it with the Discus. I will also run two sponge filters that I have seeding in another tank. I will be using dual 300w Ebo-jager heaters with a digital thermometer to monitor the temp. I have a dual bulb standard t8 fluorescent fixture with 6500k bulbs.
7) If the tank is already setup and running, include the water parameters;
- temp _____
- tank ph _____
- Ph of the water straight out of your tap _7.4-7.6_
- ammonia reading ____
- nitrite reading ____
- nitrate reading ____
- well water ____
- municipal water _yes_
8) Describe your current or planned stocking levels; number/size of discus and number/type of dither fish. Where did you get your discus from or do you have a proposed source for getting your discus?
I am not yet sure on how many I will get, but somewhere around 10-16 juveniles. I will be picking fish out at Hans' facility sometime mid to late June. I am extremely lucky to live just 45 min from the Discus Pimp.
9) Describe your planned or existing feeding regimen. Include what and how often you are feeding on a daily basis.
I am planning on feeding the Cobalt discus flake as a staple, possibly through an auto feeder. That will be 3-4 times a day, and then frozen blood worms every other day. I may end up getting some of the freeze dried blackworms, but I'll see how it goes.
10) What are your goals in this hobby? For example are you looking to keep discus in a planted community tank, or do you hope to become a hobby breeder of Discus? Do you want to raise Discus with the hopes of competing in shows?
I would love it if I could eventually breed some discus, but not in any huge quantity. I am in the process of finally building a fish room, but I still would not be able to handle more than a few pairs, because I am still in school and play football.
So here are my main questions:
-How many fish should I start out with? (After they start pairing off I will most likely get rid of some.)
-Will this water change schedule be okay considering the amount of plants that I have?
-Is that feeding regime and type of foods adequate?
-How much of the tank should I paint and what color should I use?
-How often should I clean the FX5?
I'm sure I will think of a few more questions to ask later.
Thanks in advance for all the help,
Lucas
I going to start a journal here for my first experience with Discus.
1) Please Introduce your self and tell us what your experience is with fishkeeping, give us as much information as possible as to how long in the hobby, what you have kept in the past and what you currently are working with.
I am currently a sophmore in high school, and have been keeping fish for about 10 years, and have been part of the Capital Cichlid Association for the last 7 years. I have bred a wide variety of fish, ranging from angels to plecos. I just received a group of Hemichromis Cerogaster (IUCN red list) from a friend in the club which I am very excited about. I am currently running around 20 tanks and am going to finally be setting up a fish room this summer. I have been interested in Discus for awhile but never been in the right state, financially or otherwise, to keep them. I am finally ready.
2) If you have no previous experience with keeping discus, have you done any research to properly prepare yourself, e.g. have you read any Stickies in this section of SimplyDiscus, or other material?
For the last month I have been reading through Simply as well as watching many informational videos. I have also talked with some of my fellow club members who keep Discus. I feel fairly prepared now, but could definitely still use some advice.
3) Describe your tank, its size and dimensions, breeding or display. Include how long it has been setup or if it is still being cycled.
My tank is a standard 75 gallon (to be drilled) with a 40g sump. I am going to paint the bottom and maybe the back and sides. I am planning on using it as a grow out for the group I get from Hans. It is currently running but I am going to take it down this weekend to drill it and switch out the stand, this will be done over the course of the next two weeks.
4) Describe the décor for the tank; type of substrate or bare bottom (BB), whether the tank will be planted or a biotope.
It will be a bare bottom tank because it will be a grow out. However I am going to have some potted amazon swords, as well as chinese evergreen or pothos growing out the back to help with nitrates. I will also have have java fern growing in the sump.
5) Describe your water changes planned or practiced, percentage and how often. Include if you age your water and use of tap/RO or mix.
I am planning on doing a 90% change three to four times a week during the summer while they're younger and I have more time. Then switch to twice a week 90% during the school year. I am going to use tap and I have not found it necessary to age my water.
6) Describe the type of filtration planned/used for the tank; sponge, HOB and/or sump. Also include the other equipment you are, or will be, using in your tank, e.g. heater, lighting, etc.
I am building a sump using a 40g breeder and a trickle tower. In addition I am running an FX5 right now and will continue to use it with the Discus. I will also run two sponge filters that I have seeding in another tank. I will be using dual 300w Ebo-jager heaters with a digital thermometer to monitor the temp. I have a dual bulb standard t8 fluorescent fixture with 6500k bulbs.
7) If the tank is already setup and running, include the water parameters;
- temp _____
- tank ph _____
- Ph of the water straight out of your tap _7.4-7.6_
- ammonia reading ____
- nitrite reading ____
- nitrate reading ____
- well water ____
- municipal water _yes_
8) Describe your current or planned stocking levels; number/size of discus and number/type of dither fish. Where did you get your discus from or do you have a proposed source for getting your discus?
I am not yet sure on how many I will get, but somewhere around 10-16 juveniles. I will be picking fish out at Hans' facility sometime mid to late June. I am extremely lucky to live just 45 min from the Discus Pimp.
9) Describe your planned or existing feeding regimen. Include what and how often you are feeding on a daily basis.
I am planning on feeding the Cobalt discus flake as a staple, possibly through an auto feeder. That will be 3-4 times a day, and then frozen blood worms every other day. I may end up getting some of the freeze dried blackworms, but I'll see how it goes.
10) What are your goals in this hobby? For example are you looking to keep discus in a planted community tank, or do you hope to become a hobby breeder of Discus? Do you want to raise Discus with the hopes of competing in shows?
I would love it if I could eventually breed some discus, but not in any huge quantity. I am in the process of finally building a fish room, but I still would not be able to handle more than a few pairs, because I am still in school and play football.
So here are my main questions:
-How many fish should I start out with? (After they start pairing off I will most likely get rid of some.)
-Will this water change schedule be okay considering the amount of plants that I have?
-Is that feeding regime and type of foods adequate?
-How much of the tank should I paint and what color should I use?
-How often should I clean the FX5?
I'm sure I will think of a few more questions to ask later.
Thanks in advance for all the help,
Lucas