Daniel's 75 G + 20 G sump DISCUS TANK

[DanDiscus]

Dear All

I am new to the Discus community and have been reading the post for a couple of weeks and I have to say that I have learn a lot. Today I decided to introduce my new Discus Tank. Briefly I would like to say that I have had fish since I remember (~ 4 years old) but during the last 20years I have been fully dedicated, with some in and out of the hobby to marine aquariums. My wife was always for freshwater and we both together share the passion of this hobby.

My wife has today a very successful 42 G Angel fish tank with 7 Angel fish. Among them there are 2 pairs that have been laying eggs during the last year. That means their conditions are good.

We have been discussing the idea of setting up a Discus Tank for some months. I decided to close a 50 G reef tank and just keep my 65 G SPS reef tank. 2 reef tanks were a lot of work. So here we go. What do we do with this 50G tank. "Lets do it a discus tank ", we said to each other. And the bug for these fish was born.

Last time I saw a Discus fish, more than 20 years ago, in a small aquarium was a just grey/silver flat fish. Nothing fascinating about it. Now I discover that they are an explosion of colors and I was fascinated with them. My wife couldn't stop me.

I set-up the 50 G tank, cycled it and got my first 6 Discus. After watching them for 2 days, I came to realize that the 50 G tank was not good because it is a cube tank (~ 24 x 24 x 24 inches). It was good for a reef tank, but the Discus were not comfortable in that space. So we upgraded to the 75 G + 20 G sump.


Pictures are better than 1000 words. So here we go.

First, my 65 G reef Tank (this will be the only picture of it on this thread)

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/20160729_101452_zpscbnqhwgm.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/20160729_101452_zpscbnqhwgm.jpg.html)


An here is the DISCUS TANK

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/20160816_110738_zpsel6mejvg.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/20160816_110738_zpsel6mejvg.jpg.html)


http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/20160816_110755_zpsz9hmvq4b.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/20160816_110755_zpsz9hmvq4b.jpg.html)


http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/20160816_110812_zpsyvg1lcz0.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/20160816_110812_zpsyvg1lcz0.jpg.html)


http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/20160816_110836_zpsdc5fh29m.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/20160816_110836_zpsdc5fh29m.jpg.html)


As I do not know yet how many pictures I can post per posting, I will continue with the tank details in a new posting.

[DanDiscus]

Tank Details:

20 G sump

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/20160816_110950_zpsjvb7pewe.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/20160816_110950_zpsjvb7pewe.jpg.html)

Sump has 2 Hamburg Filters. In between you can see media bags with Seachem Matrix. I also added a media reactor filled with Siporax. All these to growth aerobic and anaerobic bacterias.

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/20160816_111050_zps6iyu3eso.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/20160816_111050_zps6iyu3eso.jpg.html)

Lighting : 2 Finnex Monster Ray LED to enhance the Discus colors, 1 Current USA fresh water LED with Sunrise and Sunset, 1 Fluval Aquasky LED. 1 Pink trulumen 12 " strip with dimmer as moonlight.

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/20160816_111143_zps0sdxclsj.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/20160816_111143_zps0sdxclsj.jpg.html)

Reef Keeper Lite systems (2), to control all the lights, heaters and check constantly PH . You do not need 2, one can control all, but I had them. I used in my reef tanks. If anyone would like to know how these toys control the tank Temp (protection to heaters failure and cooking the discus), measure PH and control lighting, please let me know.

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/20160816_111855_zpshu5pukez.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/20160816_111855_zpshu5pukez.jpg.html)

Tank is BB, but to avoid Discus darkening (that I had in the first 48 hours ) I added a clear Styrofoam sheet underneath the tank (see picture). After I added it, the blue and purple discus recovered their color in 24 hours....amazing. the guys were seeing the black Wood bottom.

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/20160816_112514_zpsomgr3sxi.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/20160816_112514_zpsomgr3sxi.jpg.html)

Sump has 2 250 W heaters.

I have well water and PH is,~ 7.6, Alk 4 dkh. Tank is at 83 Fischer.

20-30 % water change once a week. No water aging.

Any comments will be welcome !!!

Daniel

[DomiDiscus]

Your reef tank is an absolute beauty! I just got a 90 gallon tank the other day that's empty, buy my plans are to make it into a reef!

[DanDiscus]

Your reef tank is an absolute beauty! I just got a 90 gallon tank the other day that's empty, buy my plans are to make it into a reef!

Thank you very much for the compliments. If you want to read more about my reef Tank here is the link.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2522791

I have posted details of the Discus Tank with pictures, but it is now for review by the moderators. That is probably because I am new. Is understandable. So stay tune.

Best!
Daniel

[Phillydubs]

Daniel,

First and foremost welcome!! Looks like you jumped head first into this hobby and are off to a nice start... Love what I see so far...

You really need to up that water change though... the % you are doing now and once a week will not cut it for these fish. You are lightly stocked now so it could work for a while but I think you will start to see ill effects down the road at this rate of change.

Have the fish been doing ok in straight treated tap water?

Do you plan to add more to the tank?

How has it been vacuuming the bottom... As you went "bare bottom" yet the bottom seems a tad cluttered and like there will be some hard to get areas... Make sure you move all that around to siphon all you can from the crevices.

[DanDiscus]

Daniel,

First and foremost welcome!! Looks like you jumped head first into this hobby and are off to a nice start... Love what I see so far...

You really need to up that water change though... the % you are doing now and once a week will not cut it for these fish. You are lightly stocked now so it could work for a while but I think you will start to see ill effects down the road at this rate of change.

Have the fish been doing ok in straight treated tap water?

Do you plan to add more to the tank?

How has it been vacuuming the bottom... As you went "bare bottom" yet the bottom seems a tad cluttered and like there will be some hard to get areas... Make sure you move all that around to siphon all you can from the crevices.

Thank you for the nice comments. Yes !!! As soon as I saw those Discus I jumped right into this new phase in my life. Still the reef Tank is there.

I had for 3 weeks the 50G tank cycling with the Matrix and Siporax. Then I got the Discus. 3 from Discus Hans and 3 from a LFS. It was compulsive buying the 3 discus from the LFS. When it was done, I read about posible cross contamination issues concerning some fish disease. But it was done. I touch Wood and after a week of being together all is OK. I have ordered 4 more from Discus Hans and I will stay with him. I plan a total of 10 Discus.

After 2 days I realized the 50 G cube tank wasn't good for the swimming behavior of Discus. So last Friday I setup the 75 G with the sump. I moved all to that tank. No need for a new cycle. Next week end will be my first WC.

Why I am explaining those details ? Well, after I got the Stenked Discus, I read a brochure that came with the fish. Then I visit the German Internet site. I discover that they have all the info that any new discus keeper needs. By that time I had already read the info for newbies at Simplediscus too.

Now I am confused. Stendker Discus states that a planted discus tank is not a problem at all if you keep your housekeeping. Meaning a good filtration system (Hamburg Matt Filter) that they haven't clean in 27 years unless it is blocked by sludge AND to do "20-30 % weekly WC".

I have been reading lots of postings suggestin daily or every other day water changes in the order of around 50%. I found that understandable if you have a poor filtration system. No doubt about it. But when you are fully loaded with stuff that grows bacteria (my case " Siporax, Matrix, Hamburg matt filter (2)) ,.........Do you think I still need more frequent water changes ? What I am missing here ?

After expending my last 3 years growing SPS Corals (Acropora) where the conditions for water quality are stricter than for Discus, I found some of the info confusing. In my reef Tank I never did more than a weekly WC , unless I have something out of control (i.e, excess feeding leading to an increase in Phosphate and Nitrates)

To wrap my comments:

- My tank parameters are within the ones suggested by Stendker Discus. I will be measuring P4 and NO3 this weekend. The water is almost brand new yet (95% from late Friday tank setup and 5% from the cycled tank).

- I will follow Stendker suggestion with a continue control of tank parameters and 20-30 % weekly WC.

I have been seeding every week bacterias (Pobidio Biodigest).

Concerning cleaning the bottom. You are correct. It is BB but with many stuff there. Yes I will be moving the stuff a little to vacuum and then I have a pump to take the rest of the water.

Again, thank you for the comments. They are all always welcome !!!. It is the only way of learning !!!

Daniel

[Ryan925]

Thank you for the nice comments. Yes !!! As soon as I saw those Discus I jumped right into this new phase in my life. Still the reef Tank is there.

I had for 3 weeks the 50G tank cycling with the Matrix and Siporax. Then I got the Discus. 3 from Discus Hans and 3 from a LFS. It was compulsive buying the 3 discus from the LFS. When it was done, I read about posible cross contamination issues concerning some fish disease. But it was done. I touch Wood and after a week of being together all is OK. I have ordered 4 more from Discus Hans and I will stay with him. I plan a total of 10 Discus.

After 2 days I realized the 50 G cube tank wasn't good for the swimming behavior of Discus. So last Friday I setup the 75 G with the sump. I moved all to that tank. No need for a new cycle. Next week end will be my first WC.

Why I am explaining those details ? Well, after I got the Stenked Discus, I read a brochure that came with the fish. Then I visit the German Internet site. I discover that they have all the info that any new discus keeper needs. By that time I had already read the info for newbies at Simplediscus too.

Now I am confused. Stendker Discus states that a planted discus tank is not a problem at all if you keep your housekeeping. Meaning a good filtration system (Hamburg Matt Filter) that they haven't clean in 27 years unless it is blocked by sludge AND to do "20-30 % weekly WC".

I have been reading lots of postings suggestin daily or every other day water changes in the order of around 50%. I found that understandable if you have a poor filtration system. No doubt about it. But when you are fully loaded with stuff that grows bacteria (my case " Siporax, Matrix, Hamburg matt filter (2)) ,.........Do you think I still need more frequent water changes ? What I am missing here ?

After expending my last 3 years growing SPS Corals (Acropora) where the conditions for water quality are stricter than for Discus, I found some of the info confusing. In my reef Tank I never did more than a weekly WC , unless I have something out of control (i.e, excess feeding leading to an increase in Phosphate and Nitrates)

To wrap my comments:

- My tank parameters are within the ones suggested by Stendker Discus. I will be measuring P4 and NO3 this weekend. The water is almost brand new yet (95% from late Friday tank setup and 5% from the cycled tank).

- I will follow Stendker suggestion with a continue control of tank parameters and 20-30 % weekly WC.

I have been seeding every week bacterias (Pobidio Biodigest).

Concerning cleaning the bottom. You are correct. It is BB but with many stuff there. Yes I will be moving the stuff a little to vacuum and then I have a pump to take the rest of the water.

Again, thank you for the comments. They are all always welcome !!!. It is the only way of learning !!!

Daniel

It will all depend on your expectations of your end result. Some of us are satisfied with having happy healthy discus without the expectation of ending up with 'text book" fish. For me having nice shape, color and pattern in a nice looking display tank is satisfactory. I know that they won't be the monster 7"-8" discus you may see photos of.

With that said I started with 6 3.5"-4" fish in a moderate to heavily planted tank. After a couple months I noticed 3 of the six were much smaller and potentially stunted. I then removed a large number of the plants. Soon after I changed my whole scape. I noticed a big difference in fish behavior with much more room to swim. Very quickly noticed more growth, better shape and better color from the smaller ones. It's quite evident in the results how the improper setup had effect on the fish even though I was changing water often.

[DanDiscus]

It will all depend on your expectations of your end result. Some of us are satisfied with having happy healthy discus without the expectation of ending up with 'text book" fish. For me having nice shape, color and pattern in a nice looking display tank is satisfactory. I know that they won't be the monster 7"-8" discus you may see photos of.

With that said I started with 6 3.5"-4" fish in a moderate to heavily planted tank. After a couple months I noticed 3 of the six were much smaller and potentially stunted. I then removed a large number of the plants. Soon after I changed my whole scape. I noticed a big difference in fish behavior with much more room to swim. Very quickly noticed more growth, better shape and better color from the smaller ones. It's quite evident in the results how the improper setup had effect on the fish even though I was changing water often.

Thank you !!!

Very nice observation. I will remember it and will keep an eye on the tank thinking in what happened in your tank. My tank set-up decor can be changed in a blink of an eye.

I was debating between a BB tank with just driftwood, to give some decor and hiding places or with what I did. I decided to have the plants because they play a crucial role on Phosphate reduction. In other words "nutrient export". It has to bee much difficult to control nutrients in a plain BB tank. Then I understand the more frequent WC.

My goal is exactly as yours. A healthy, nice looking discus tank with active and healthy fish....enough for me.

A short video:

https://youtu.be/SQeT3_Iv2wE

[Ryan925]

Thank you !!!

Very nice observation. I will remember it and will keep an eye on the tank thinking in what happened in your tank.

I was debating between a BB tank with just driftwood, to give some decor and hiding places or with what I did. I decided to have the plants because they play a crucial role on Phosphate reduction. In other words "nutrient export". It has to bee much difficult to control nutrients in a plain BB tank. Then I understand the more frequent WC.

My goal is exactly as yours. A healthy, nice looking discus tank with active and healthy fish....enough for me.

A short video:

https://youtu.be/SQeT3_Iv2wE

I think your tank looks very nice but IMHO it looks to be crowded. Just observation from pics although depth is tough to tell. Take it for what ya worth from someone who is also learning as I go.

Open space on the bottom is good as discus like to bottom feed and graze leftovers.

I went from my tank having lots of plants and driftwood to now having 2 red flame swords and some anubias attached to seiryu stone. The majority of the tank is open space for the discus with the wood being at the very rear along with rocks and plants.

I initially thought a large plant load would help with water quality but quickly found they trap a lot of debris. Having yours in pots will definitely help.

Don't want to hijack your thread with my photos so here's a link showing my recent transformation.

It's amazing how the results with the fish are almost instantanious.

Last page of the thread shows the end result.
http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?125251-Well-I-did-it&referrerid=80196

[DanDiscus]

I think your tank looks very nice but IMHO it looks to be crowded. Just observation from pics although depth is tough to tell. Take it for what ya worth from someone who is also learning as I go.

Open space on the bottom is good as discus like to bottom feed and graze leftovers.

I went from my tank having lots of plants and driftwood to now having 2 red flame swords and some anubias attached to seiryu stone. The majority of the tank is open space for the discus with the wood being at the very rear along with rocks and plants.

I initially thought a large plant load would help with water quality but quickly found they trap a lot of debris. Having yours in pots will definitely help.

Don't want to hijack your thread with my photos so here's a link showing my recent transformation.

It's amazing how the results with the fish are almost instantanious.

Last page of the thread shows the end result.
http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?125251-Well-I-did-it&referrerid=80196

Your tank is amazing . I remember reading part of your thread. But I haven't seen the last pictures with the sand change. Is amazing how the Discus nervous system manage the change of color in relation with the environment.

I setup my tank last Friday. On Sunday the Turquoise and blue discus were very dark. I panic, thinking that I screwed it and they have some issue. Nevertheless, they were swimming and eating normal. In my panic, I searched Internet and found that Darkening can be due to the substrate color. Immediately I added clear Styrofoam covering the tank bottom , from inside the stand. Today, after 48 hours the 2 discus recovered they color and the other are brighter.

Nice pictures in your thread !!!!

Thank you
Daniel

[Ryan925]

Your tank is amazing . I remember reading part of your thread. But I haven't seen the last pictures with the sand change. Is amazing how the Discus nervous system manage the change of color in relation with the environment.

I setup my tank last Friday. On Sunday the Turquoise and blue discus were very dark. I panic, thinking that I screwed it and they have some issue. Nevertheless, they were swimming and eating normal. In my panic, I searched Internet and found that Darkening can be due to the substrate color. Immediately I added clear Styrofoam covering the tank bottom , from inside the stand. Today, after 48 hours the 2 discus recovered they color and the other are brighter.

Nice pictures in your thread !!!!

Thank you
Daniel

Thanks Dan. I look forward to seeing your progress. Best if luck

[farebox]

First, very nice tank you have to start off with. Just some positive advise, before you order anymore fish, wait awhile to see how this mixed group turns out. It's take about four to six weeks to see if any problems arises with the fish from Hans and LFS. I mixed Asian and German fish a year ago and as of today none are around to talk about. Also in the future don't forget to QT all new stock. I just like to see your transition from salt water fish to discus to be a happy one. Keep reading all the info you can, and enjoy the hobby. Welcome to SD.

[DanDiscus]

Week 1 of the new tank have passed and all is still OK.... touch Wood!

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20160821_172012_zpspdn8opmk.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160821_172012_zpspdn8opmk.jpg.html)

I wanted to update some changes I have done in the sump.

I have moved my 2 Hamburg matt filters against the return pump. Also placed around the return pump the media bags with 4 liters of Seachem Matrix (can be seen in pictures, left side of the sump).

With that rearrangement I have all the left side of the Hamburg matt filters open. I added a LED light I had from a previous reef Tank and filled the area with small pots with plants recommended by Stendker Discus site. I still need to add 6 more small planted pots.

To the left corner I added a 200 micron filter sock.

This weekend I vacuumed the tank and did a 50% water change.

pH 7.5 and temp 86 F.

This week 5 more 4" Stendker Discus are arriving. Those will be the last ones to be added.

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20160821_173934_zpspnvi4q5d.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160821_173934_zpspnvi4q5d.jpg.html)

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20160821_173957_zpsprd8yuhw.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160821_173957_zpsprd8yuhw.jpg.html)

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20160821_174127_zpsi6ewhabl.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160821_174127_zpsi6ewhabl.jpg.html)

Plus I also have the Media Reactor (left) full of Siporax.

I plants, Matrix and Siporax will be crucial on P4 and NO3 export. The Hamburg matt filter will be involved in that too and in keeping the nitrogen cycle ongoing.

Best
Daniel

[DanDiscus]

First, very nice tank you have to start off with. Just some positive advise, before you order anymore fish, wait awhile to see how this mixed group turns out. It's take about four to six weeks to see if any problems arises with the fish from Hans and LFS. I mixed Asian and German fish a year ago and as of today none are around to talk about. Also in the future don't forget to QT all new stock. I just like to see your transition from salt water fish to discus to be a happy one. Keep reading all the info you can, and enjoy the hobby. Welcome to SD.

Thank you very much for your comments. Fish were already ordered.

There will not be any more additions and I will keep my fingers crossed.

Daniel

[Filip]

Welcome to discus and to forum Daniel.
The biggest problem that any experienced aquarist but novice discus keeper like your self has IMHO is that he is well thought to completely rely on NO3 and PO4 .
The problem is that discus are more concerned with the unmeasurable parameters of the water such as bacteria , parasite , viruses , flaggelates, and many other heterotrophic organisms that live in our tanks unnoticed .
That's why simply its not enough if you keep your No3 low but you have to keep the environment very clean and water frequently changed.

Info. on the Stendker site about the stocking numbers and the WC ing routine are way to optimistic for the real world and IMO are made to serve the main purpose , and that coming from the sellers perspective is profits , offcourse.

I guess your 2 larger turquoise discus are the ones from the LFS. They look very emaciated and not in good shape , so beware of cross-contamination and wait just a little more before you order some other discus here.Problems may still arise.

Much more and larger WCs along with a frequent tank and filter cleaning and a max. number of 8 discus would be a great start for you IMHO.

[Larry Bugg]

I guess your 2 larger turquoise discus are the ones from the LFS. They look very emaciated and not in good shape

This is a concern I have also. Both of these discus look to be in very poor health. Very thin and gaunt looking.

[Ryan925]

Welcome to discus and to forum Daniel.
The biggest problem that any experienced aquarist but novice discus keeper like your self has IMHO is that he is well thought to completely rely on NO3 and PO4 .
The problem is that discus are more concerned with the unmeasurable parameters of the water such as bacteria , parasite , viruses , flaggelates, and many other heterotrophic organisms that live in our tanks unnoticed .
That's why simply its not enough if you keep your No3 low but you have to keep the environment very clean and water frequently changed.

Info. on the Stendker site about the stocking numbers and the WC ing routine are way to optimistic for the real world and IMO are made to serve the main purpose , and that coming from the sellers perspective is profits , offcourse.

I guess your 2 larger turquoise discus are the ones from the LFS. They look very emaciated and not in good shape , so beware of cross-contamination and wait just a little more before you order some other discus here.Problems may still arise.

Much more and larger WCs along with a frequent tank and filter cleaning and a max. number of 8 discus would be a great start for you IMHO.

Tank is looking great. I agree with Filip and Larry though. Turqs look pretty skinny. Have you noticed this?

[DanDiscus]

Welcome to discus and to forum Daniel.
The biggest problem that any experienced aquarist but novice discus keeper like your self has IMHO is that he is well thought to completely rely on NO3 and PO4 .
The problem is that discus are more concerned with the unmeasurable parameters of the water such as bacteria , parasite , viruses , flaggelates, and many other heterotrophic organisms that live in our tanks unnoticed .
That's why simply its not enough if you keep your No3 low but you have to keep the environment very clean and water frequently changed.

Info. on the Stendker site about the stocking numbers and the WC ing routine are way to optimistic for the real world and IMO are made to serve the main purpose , and that coming from the sellers perspective is profits , offcourse.

I guess your 2 larger turquoise discus are the ones from the LFS. They look very emaciated and not in good shape , so beware of cross-contamination and wait just a little more before you order some other discus here.Problems may still arise.

Much more and larger WCs along with a frequent tank and filter cleaning and a max. number of 8 discus would be a great start for you IMHO.

Thank you very much for your comments and teaching me. I really appreciate it !!

I was not aware of your comments about parasites... etc. My mistake.

I was neither aware of avoiding mixing discus from different origins. Again my mistake.

What is done, is done, now I will fight to keep them in good conditions.

About the 2 Turquoise fish, the one near the surface, in that picture, come from the LFS (has vertical lines and is more on the blue side). The other is a Stendker (is the one with horizontal lines).

Both are the strongest discus of the group. They both are dominant. The one of the LFS was from the very start the owner of the tank. The Stendker one defeated him and now both share the first and second place. They eat like crazy. They are the first eating and also the last ones. Those 2 do not stop eating until no food can be seen in the bottom. Unfortunately that picture do not show what is really happening in the tank.

I will keep updating this thread. For good of for bad, I will let you all kniw what is going on with this tank.

Thank you all again !!

Daniel

LFS

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/20160811_183739_zpsmsgj8d73.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/20160811_183739_zpsmsgj8d73.jpg.html)


Stendker

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/20160811_135841_zpsppyioz3e.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/20160811_135841_zpsppyioz3e.jpg.html)


Mentioned picture

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20160821_172012_zpspdn8opmk.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160821_172012_zpspdn8opmk.jpg.html)

[Phillydubs]

I mean if that pic doesn't speak a thousands words right there...!

If that doesn't show you tonstybaway from that LFS nothing will...

Are you opposed to trading the LFS back for credit?

What's done as done as far as contamination but you keep up your routine and you will have some nice for but those two will not be so great IMO

[DanDiscus]

Sorry.... what is tonstybaway ?

Please, don't take it that I am having fun. English isn't my mother language and I would like to understand that word.

Thank you !
Daniel

[two utes]

Sorry.... what is tonstybaway ?

Daniel

I think he meant to say 'not to stay away'. Just a mis print. Your English is very good.

Good luck with solving your problem, but from my experience l have found that part of having good success with discus is buying quality stock. Yes, it sometimes costs a lot more money, but you save yourself having the heartache of searching for answers for problems down the track

[DanDiscus]

What's done as done as far as contamination but you keep up your routine and you will have some nice for but those two will not be so great IMO

I agree on this comment 100%. Returning a fish will not change what has been done.

Your expert eyes are probably OK. Could be that those 2 discus will not be nothing good in the future. Understanding what fish has potential and what fish do not will be part of my learning curve.

Now I will focus on their survival. At this time I don't care if they all finish as "standard discus". If they stay as they are today it will be fantastic, to me.

I am not targeting to have something special, as of today, because I am learning.

In the future, if I go through this first stage, will be like with the Marine tanks. 20 years ago I started with only fish, then I moved to soft coral, then to LPS coral and in the last 3 years I have been battling to keep Hard Corals (SPS, Acroporas), and every day I am still learning a lesson there. Discus will be like that.

The reason, for me, to write this thread is to keep tracking of my journey, and let others know what I am doing. I hope there are more successes than disasters....... I hope !!! .

Best !
Daniel

[DanDiscus]

I think he meant to say 'not to stay away'. Just a mis print. Your English is very good.

Good luck with solving your problem, but from my experience l have found that part of having good success with discus is buying quality stock. Yes, it sometimes costs a lot more money, but you save yourself having the heartache of searching for answers for problems down the track

Thank you !!! And you are correct about quality stock. That is way from now on I will stay 100 % with Stendker Discus.

BTW, I have read all your thread in the Gral Discussion Forum, and you are doing a great job. Thank you for sharing it. That is a thread I have read with attention and I will follow it. There are many more too. Simply Discus is fantastic, as it is Reef Central. Great forums, full of experts, willing to share their experiences.

Daniel

[Larry Bugg]

Well with the pic I feel good about the stendker. It doesn't look emaciated in the new pic at all. But the pic of the lfs discus confirms my concern about it. In the new pic it is clear that it is very stunted. Doesn't mean that it can't be a healthy addition to your tank with a lot of love and care but don't look for it to grow out to it's full potential.

[DanDiscus]

Well with the pic I feel good about the stendker. It doesn't look emaciated in the new pic at all. But the pic of the lfs discus confirms my concern about it. In the new pic it is clear that it is very stunted. Doesn't mean that it can't be a healthy addition to your tank with a lot of love and care but don't look for it to grow out to it's full potential.

Larry.... thank you for pointing me that. I will keep an eye on that fish and learn from his development.

That is,what I was referring too. Today, both fish looks good to my eyes. Still I have a long path to walk.

Thank you !!

I better go to sleep now :-)

Daniel

[DanDiscus]

For my records.

Today Nitrates were at 5 ppm . Salifert test kit.

[DanDiscus]

Yesterday the last set of Discus have arrived (August 24, 2016). Most of them started to it after 24 hours.

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/20160825_183936_zpsuvhm7igf.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/20160825_183936_zpsuvhm7igf.jpg.html)

I have added also 3 battery powered air pumps to my white pipe seen in next pictures. Sorry, I do not know how to call that. It is used on the Hamburg matt filters. I saw it in Internet. But 1 pump do not have enough power to pull water through it. 3 are OK. If there is an outage, then they start. That will keep a flow of water through the filters. I will add this weekend 2 to the display tank.

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/20160825_184608_zpsutpdmyv5.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/20160825_184608_zpsutpdmyv5.jpg.html)


http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/20160825_184449_zpsnnjtyyjt.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/20160825_184449_zpsnnjtyyjt.jpg.html)

I do have a generator that can feed the most important aspects of the house, plus the tanks. But, when electricity goes off not all the time there is someone at the house.

OK, no more Bla Bla. Now I need to enjoy the tank and keep its husbandry and maintenance.

I have to be honest. If these discus stay as they are, for me they look already amazing. In other words, my objectives are far away of getting the perfect discus or good pairs to breed.

Daniel

[DanDiscus]

September 2016.

Looks like all is going OK.

https://youtu.be/9mVAnHN0T2w

Feeding time

https://youtu.be/PEyznIjmYm0

https://youtu.be/d9elFPwRvsQ

Cheers
Daniel

[Kyla]

healthy appetites is a great thing to see! they sure love those cubes. how much do u feed ur little monsters a day?

[DanDiscus]

healthy appetites is a great thing to see! they sure love those cubes. how much do u feed ur little monsters a day?

I am feeding them first some Discus Hans Flakes. Not all eat them (~70% of the fish), then i add a little of Tetra color . Half of them eat that. And finally I add 2 cubes or 1 and a 1/2, depending on the cube size.

I do that twice a day.

When i add the FDBW cubes they bite my fingers....LOL

[DanDiscus]

One month and a couple of days have passed since the tank is running.

Short video:

https://youtu.be/M7qVU2D_Jlc

Some pictures:

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20160919_173859_zpspvqxnwzo.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160919_173859_zpspvqxnwzo.jpg.html)

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20160919_172206_zpswsbbhg0r.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160919_172206_zpswsbbhg0r.jpg.html)


http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20160919_172941_zps7q9qmcov.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160919_172941_zps7q9qmcov.jpg.html)


http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20160919_172851_zps5vrd0j6a.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160919_172851_zps5vrd0j6a.jpg.html)


http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20160919_172624_zpsag0jduwe.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160919_172624_zpsag0jduwe.jpg.html)

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20160919_172453_zpsnlwem7md.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160919_172453_zpsnlwem7md.jpg.html)


http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20160919_172432_zpstrjlnff5.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160919_172432_zpstrjlnff5.jpg.html)

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20160919_172426_zps54uadc9c.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160919_172426_zps54uadc9c.jpg.html)


http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20160919_172420_zpsnhwk5zpo.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160919_172420_zpsnhwk5zpo.jpg.html)

[DanDiscus]

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20160919_172148_zpstsxufv7s.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160919_172148_zpstsxufv7s.jpg.html)

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20160919_172127_zps5ijrwxox.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160919_172127_zps5ijrwxox.jpg.html)


http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20160919_171958_zps4aahykhu.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160919_171958_zps4aahykhu.jpg.html)


http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20160919_171930_zpsytypneoy.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160919_171930_zpsytypneoy.jpg.html)

[DanDiscus]

Water changes 1 per week 50 %

PH always at 7.5-6

Temp 86

Before the WC bottom is vacuum to collect debris. Stuff is moved around but 90% is collected at the corners due to the water movement. That helps a lot.

Well water. No aging.

[DanDiscus]

Previous pictures taken today.

These are 2 weeks old but they wanted to stay quiet for the pictures.

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20160908_192438_zpsiufsfnxa.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160908_192438_zpsiufsfnxa.jpg.html)


http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20160908_192431_zpshtzrnjt5.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160908_192431_zpshtzrnjt5.jpg.html)


http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20160908_192245_zpsifcjrjjm.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160908_192245_zpsifcjrjjm.jpg.html)


http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20160908_192053_zpsvaigvqnf.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160908_192053_zpsvaigvqnf.jpg.html)


http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20160908_191310_zpsrryhfxeb.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160908_191310_zpsrryhfxeb.jpg.html)

[DanDiscus]

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20160908_191322_zps8jmo7m6w.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160908_191322_zps8jmo7m6w.jpg.html)


http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20160908_191905_zpsoph2niaf.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160908_191905_zpsoph2niaf.jpg.html)


http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20160908_191300_zps3mlo8no5.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160908_191300_zps3mlo8no5.jpg.html)

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20160908_191214_zps4xfkspwu.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160908_191214_zps4xfkspwu.jpg.html)


http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20160908_191042_zpsnpl27sto.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160908_191042_zpsnpl27sto.jpg.html)


http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20160908_191102_zps5epcw3hl.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160908_191102_zps5epcw3hl.jpg.html)


http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20160908_191107_zpstkinrzgc.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160908_191107_zpstkinrzgc.jpg.html)

[Filip]

So far so good Dan. I still think that you need to at least tripple your current weekly WC regime , but its your call in the end .
Its good as long as all the fish are still healthy and eating.
Your 2 weeks old camera shy pigeon blood on the first pic of the post has a sunken belly , meaning he is underfed. Take care if him and observe if he eats well during feedings.

[Ryan925]

Is the bottom and back of your tank black Dan? Your fish would be so much brighter with lighter bottom and background

[DanDiscus]

So far so good Dan. I still think that you need to at least tripple your current weekly WC regime , but its your call in the end .
Its good as long as all the fish are still healthy and eating.
Your 2 weeks old camera shy pigeon blood on the first pic of the post has a sunken belly , meaning he is underfed. Take care if him and observe if he eats well during feedings.

Thank you for the observation. He is doing great. They all eat like pigs.....of course there are some that eat more than others. But they are all healthy.

Concerning WC, I am following Stendker suggestions. If they are one of the biggest breeders in the world, what they suggest has to be OK. Of course, my discus are 4+ inches. Younger discus could be other story. My filtering system, feeding amount and following Stendker WC recommendations are doing OK.

So far so good, like my friend likes to say.

Thank you again !
Daniel

[DanDiscus]

Is the bottom and back of your tank black Dan? Your fish would be so much brighter with lighter bottom and background

The bottom has a clear color. I pictured it in the first page.

The background at the start was the wall that is a cream color. I didn't like the view so I added one of those tanks background, that looks very similar with what I have. Yes !! Its is darker than the wall, but I have not seen any difference in the color of the fish before and after.

There are many threads about the topic of background and bottom color. I followed the clear suggestion for the bottom, but not the background suggestion. So far so good.

Nevertheless I really appreciate you stooping back and giving me suggestions. That is way I have this thread. To hear and discuss comments and others views.

Best
Daniel

[Filip]

Reading through many old threads and theories about colouring discus according to their surroundings i can safely say that many of the experienced SD breeders/members agrees that bottom colour plays more important role in discus colouring and camouflage than the background colours . Allthough having both bottom and background light coloured might be a better fine tuning colour option .

[DanDiscus]

So far so good Dan. I still think that you need to at least tripple your current weekly WC regime , but its your call in the end .
Its good as long as all the fish are still healthy and eating.
Your 2 weeks old camera shy pigeon blood on the first pic of the post has a sunken belly , meaning he is underfed. Take care if him and observe if he eats well during feedings.

Here it is after dinner today

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/20160929_195504_zpsj8naux1i.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/20160929_195504_zpsj8naux1i.jpg.html)

Best
Daniel

[DanDiscus]

Activity after Dinner:

https://youtu.be/64tQmABJs7Q


A week ago 2 very early pairs (~ 4,5" they came as 4" almost 2 months ago, they grew. Could be now 4,5-5 " ???)

https://youtu.be/0BZC5pU4HT4


https://youtu.be/jDYCXT3ulvw


Cheers!!

[DanDiscus]

Another Month has passed. All goes OK.

70 % water change per week. PH 7.6 , Temp 86 F

https://youtu.be/BYYgbk3qYRw

[DanDiscus]

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20161029_123221_zpsgsbqivqb.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20161029_123221_zpsgsbqivqb.jpg.html)

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20161029_123230_zpskm39f77r.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20161029_123230_zpskm39f77r.jpg.html)


http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20161029_123254_zpsquuxw3bt.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20161029_123254_zpsquuxw3bt.jpg.html)


http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20161029_123155_zps6jgiroyg.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20161029_123155_zps6jgiroyg.jpg.html)


http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20161029_123129_zps1hfww9ao.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20161029_123129_zps1hfww9ao.jpg.html)


http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20161029_123147_zpsu1j9oaaz.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20161029_123147_zpsu1j9oaaz.jpg.html)


http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20161029_123126_zpsbfvtnwyk.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20161029_123126_zpsbfvtnwyk.jpg.html)

[Filip]

Your tank and discus looking good Dan .Nice pics and videos .
Im glad that your Checkerboard has gained some bulk on him .
You did a good job cleaning the frontal area from decor and plants. Easier maintenance for you and cleaner water for your fish .
Its also a good thing that you have gradually doubled your weekly WC percentage.
Cheers

[DanDiscus]

Thank you Filip !!!

I know I will not get the XL size on these discus. Could be in some, but I am not sure on how many. For now my target is to enjoy them and keep them healthy.

Many of them went from the ~4 " to 5 " and bodies are getting rounded.

They ate like pigs and are all the time swimming. Their colors are amazing.

I travel a lot. Right now I am in a departing flight. Also if I wanted to do more WC it would be impossible. So i am following Stendker adult discus care indications. Instead of a 30% y do ~ 70 % WC every weekend.

Nitates are always between 10 -20.

I vacuum all the bottom and move the stuff to do it.

Best !
Daniel

[DanDiscus]

Sorry....duplicated posting

[Filip]

That's a fair enough target to chase Dan .
When I advocate more WCs to people my primary concern is always illness and health problems that we can experience with our discus , and not so much the Jumbo XXL size .
I've been that road of treating sick discus for months and I know how dreaded and exhausting that experience can be .

BTW. I'm curious where did you read this Stendkers info that 30% WCs is for juvies , and 70% for adults ?
Everybody experienced here thinks it should be just the opposite , so that's why I ask ?

[DanDiscus]

Hi Filip

Sorry if my writting confused you. I was only talking about adult discus.

At the Stendker German site, the company has a lot of info on how to keep "adult discus". I asumed that 4" discus are "almost like adult" fish.

So, to my Stendker 4" discus, that I got from Discus Hans, I applied the care explained at the Stendker discus site.

They suggest a 30% water change per week.

After all the reading here and there, I decided to increase it to ~70% with a very nice vacuuming of the bottom.

Plus I have applied many filtration system to my sump to keep the best water I can, with only 1 change per week.

These discus are being more spoiled than my reef tank to which I only do a 20% WC per week...LOL. I do have the same filtration systems in both with exception of the skimmer that is only in my reef tank.

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20161023_115553_zpsixelsi4o.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20161023_115553_zpsixelsi4o.jpg.html)

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20161023_115601_zpsdqplxjvh.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20161023_115601_zpsdqplxjvh.jpg.html)


http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20161023_115612_zpse5e4sayn.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20161023_115612_zpse5e4sayn.jpg.html)

[Filip]

Yes Dan I addmit that your tank and bottom is very clean and that surely helps a lot in your discus upkeep and well being.
As for Reef and Discus keeping compared the two together, they seem as a whole different ball game to me .

Discus keeping requires a lot of cleaning and a lot of WC -ing and it can be a core I know . Reefers on the other hand change only 10-20% weekly , but they constantly test and monitor dozens of parameters and rethinking new ways of keeping them in appropriate range . So I guess this is their core compared to discus folks.
Anyway you look at it Dan , nothing that is worth admiring goes without hard work and effort :).

[DanDiscus]

Filip....you are 100% correct.

Best !
Daniel

[DanDiscus]

Hi all

Another month another short video as update:

https://youtu.be/bYxR4WEa3Fk


Temp : 86 F

PH; 7.5-7.6

Water changes: Once a week. ~ 70% with a nice bottom vacuuming.

Feed: When I can twice a day. If not after work, once a day.

Filtration: Sump with Matt Filters, Matrix and media reactor with shyporax and plants. Filter sock also.

I will entertain questions, if you have.

[DanDiscus]

video help

Can someone help me on how to embed the video so you can see first picture instead of the link.

At Reef Central, I just copy the embedded link and past it in the posting. Here is not working that.

Thank you
Daniel

[two utes]

video help

Can someone help me on how to embed the video so you can see first picture instead of the link.

At Reef Central, I just copy the embedded link and past it in the posting. Here is not working that.

Thank you
Daniel


As far as l know you just click on the 'Insert Video' Icon which appears in the tool box when creating new posts, then insert the link of your utube clip in there.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYxR4WEa3Fk&feature=youtu.be

Enjoyed the clip. Thanks :)

[DanDiscus]

As far as l know you just click on the 'Insert Video' Icon which appears in the tool box when creating new posts, then insert the link of your utube clip in there.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYxR4WEa3Fk&feature=youtu.be

Enjoyed the clip. Thanks :)

Thank you !!!

I will try that next month.

Thank you also for the compliments. I have been enjoying the tank a lot. And at the end, so far, is has not been hard to keep discuss as I was thinking. It has only been 5 months. Lets wait the 1 year mark.

Cheers
Daniel

[rickztahone]

Hey Daniel, it is Rick from ReefCentral. I didn't realize this was your tank!

I should have made a connection between those beautiful first pics of that SW setup.

[DanDiscus]

Hey Daniel, it is Rick from ReefCentral. I didn't realize this was your tank!

I should have made a connection between those beautiful first pics of that SW setup.

Hi Rick

I hope you have had a nice end of 2016. It is amazing that the year has gone so fast. What happens at RC funny. Lets see if i am successful to keeps this Discus tank as i have been during years with reef tanks.

I have good news for everyone:

This weekend my first granddaughter was born !!!

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/IMG-20170101-WA0017_zpsbxtlyqdg.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/IMG-20170101-WA0017_zpsbxtlyqdg.jpg.html)

Cheers
Daniel

[Phillydubs]

Daniel,

Congrats on the birth! Gorgeous!!!

I am sorry if this was stated earlier on as I have not read the entire thread - is there a reason you are going with the minimal water changes?

Your tank looks great and I love the decor and plants and wood. A few discus look very nice, there are 2, one may be a blue diamond or some sort of scorpion that seems to have some craters in the facial area, did I see that correctly?

I think your fish would really benefit from at least an added WC weekly .. IMO

[rickztahone]

Congrats Daniel! Beautiful baby

[DanDiscus]

Daniel,

Congrats on the birth! Gorgeous!!!

I am sorry if this was stated earlier on as I have not read the entire thread - is there a reason you are going with the minimal water changes?

Your tank looks great and I love the decor and plants and wood. A few discus look very nice, there are 2, one may be a blue diamond or some sort of scorpion that seems to have some craters in the facial area, did I see that correctly?

I think your fish would really benefit from at least an added WC weekly .. IMO

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE COMPLIME TS !!!

After I read your post I went to take a careful look to the Discus, but I do not see any abnormality. At least with my eyes.

Concerning WC : I will explain the why of doing 1 WC per week. I am not going to enter in the never ever ending discussions of Discus water changes.

- My life style will not allowed me to do more than what I do. I travel 3 out of 5 week busines days. The other 2 I am in the office or returning home. Bottom line, I only have weekends or Friday nights for WC.

-The Stendker site says that for adult discus it is enought a 30% weekly WC.

- I started the tank with all ~4" Discus from Discus Hans (8) and 3 from a LFS (I knew later about NO mixing, but it was already done).

-I have the tank with a sump that has 4 liters of Matrix and 2 Liters of Siporax Plus 2 matt filters. On top of that the tank waters drains on a filter sock that is changed, at least , twice a week. Plus the sump is also with lots of plants growing.

- During the first 3 months I never had Nitrates above 20 ppm. Then I stop measuring.

-Discus are feed on evenings and when i work from home or during weekends twice a day.

- I cleaned the tank glass only 2-3 times in 6 months !!!!!!!!! This means very low phosphates.

- I do not have HA growing in any place and all the plants tbat I have in the tank and in the fuge have been growing.

To summarize, In my case, In my tank, under my conditions, a ~70-80 % WC per week have worked. Of course, I do a good bottom vacuuming moving the stuff arround before the WC.

- from the 11 Discus, 3 Stendker will stay below the 5". Unless they grow in the following months, that its for them. All the others are between 5-6" from tail tip to mouth (not easy to measure without taking them out).

- I do not want them growth more, neither I do expect they will. I have to increase the feeding in at least a 50% more, that means more polution.

- As of today !!!! The tank is doing well. I knock wood.

I hope this answer the "WHY" .... :-)

Again, thank you very much for the compliments and the observation. Please, if you or somebody else, see or have the feeling something could be wrong, please do not hesitate to post it. That is why we have these threads.

Cheers
Daniel

[Phillydubs]

Daniel,

I appreciate and applaud your honesty and background info. No excuses there, tell it how it is, much respect. Maybe what I was seeing was just the video or the angle, sorry I wasn't trying to nitpick just an observation, glad you checked and it was my eyes!

Whatever you are doing seems to be working quite well for you. You are doing all you can do and are happy with the results and in the end that is all that matters!

I look forward to seeing more updates and info on the tank!

Again thanks for being so candid!

[DanDiscus]

Hi all

I think I jumped a couple of months of updates.

Nevertheles, nothing extraordinary happened. Discus looks healthy, at least to me :-)

A Stendker (snake skin) discus never grew. It is still at ~4.5". All others grew. I have now, the small guy, middle size and big size. I was expecting that due to the number I have. But looks those colors and how they swim. I love them all.

Still ~ 70 % of WC once a week. Temp at 85F and ph 7.6-7.7

Same filtering sytem. I only change the filter sock every 3-4 days.

As of today all was very simple....touch wood.

Enjoy the video.

Daniel

https://youtu.be/rSRUJTihAFw

Who said they are quiet fish ?? LOL....

[adrian31@outlook.com]

Wow they all look healthy and beautiful. Great job.

[Jenene]

They look really active and strong. I think we have the same kind of corner flow tank.

Mine is much more minimalist. I have just one giant driftwood that I put some java on.

I love the scape you have done.

Thanks for sharing the video. Always love to see other members' tanks in action.

[DanDiscus]

Thank you all for the compliments !!!!

I just saw that every time I click the link I need to adjust the video quality by clicking in the video menu.

Is that happening to you ?

Cheers
Daniel

[DanDiscus]

Update:

Almost a year old (August was when I setup the tank).

No changes, same schedule.

Enjoy the video. Adjust the quality in your phone or computer.

https://youtu.be/z4sh5BlPV6k

Daniel

[Filip]

February video Embeded:


http://youtu.be/rSRUJTihAFw

[Filip]

June / July video embeded:


http://youtu.be/z4sh5BlPV6k

[Filip]

Very nice progression Dan.
They have grown beautiful . Considering your minimal effort on feedings and WCs, they have grown quite well .
Very good job done Daniel .Your tank and your fish looks great.

[DanDiscus]

Very nice progression Dan.
They have grown beautiful . Considering your minimal effort on feedings and WCs, they have grown quite well .
Very good job done Daniel .Your tank and your fish looks great.

Thank you very much for your comments !!!


I am following all the Stendker suggestions as they have in their internet site. Moreover, I do more, as they suggest only a 30% water change per week and I do a ~ 70% once a week. I use the same filtering system suggested by them as well as the number of Discus. I feed them once a day 2-3 FDBW cubes and 1-2 cubes of blood worms. They always get 3 total cubes.

Thank you again ! And Thank you for embedding the videos !!!

Daniel

Ps: you have probably noticed tbat not all have grown to the same size. But they are healthy and eat like sharks. :-)

[DanDiscus]

One year update

[DanDiscus]

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/20180722_173801_zpsngxavlxh.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/20180722_173801_zpsngxavlxh.jpg.html)


http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/20180722_173808_zpsgvqjef6u.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/20180722_173808_zpsgvqjef6u.jpg.html)


http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20180722_175550_zpshp00sr9m.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20180722_175550_zpshp00sr9m.jpg.html)

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20180722_175601_zpslw1bsfvp.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20180722_175601_zpslw1bsfvp.jpg.html)

[DanDiscus]

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20180722_175620_zpswzwt7iwc.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20180722_175620_zpswzwt7iwc.jpg.html)

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20180722_175629_zpsjzgu2r9n.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20180722_175629_zpsjzgu2r9n.jpg.html)


http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20180722_175633_zpsqagtvhhz.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20180722_175633_zpsqagtvhhz.jpg.html)


http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20180722_175658_zpsbttm7t3n.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20180722_175658_zpsbttm7t3n.jpg.html)

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20180722_175716_zpsd9vqiy9i.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20180722_175716_zpsd9vqiy9i.jpg.html)

[DanDiscus]

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20180722_175720_zps0skz8nqj.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20180722_175720_zps0skz8nqj.jpg.html)

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20180722_175725_zpsepyarokn.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20180722_175725_zpsepyarokn.jpg.html)

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20180722_175731_zpskw0yvz2s.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20180722_175731_zpskw0yvz2s.jpg.html)

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20180722_175818_zpsh42m1fvo.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20180722_175818_zpsh42m1fvo.jpg.html)

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/dematosdg/Mobile%20Uploads/20180722_175737_zpslkmqberv.jpg (http://s1106.photobucket.com/user/dematosdg/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20180722_175737_zpslkmqberv.jpg.html)

[DanDiscus]

ALL FISH HEALTHY AND HAPPY !!! I still have the 11 with whom I started the tank... I touch wood :-)

[DanDiscus]

https://youtu.be/fBB-ixs3Zz4

[DanDiscus]

Remember to increase the video quality when in YouTube.

Enjoy
Cheers
Daniel

[Filip]

2 years after you started this thread Dan .
I'm glad that your fish are all alive and healthy and they look nice too .
Have you changed something in your feeding and WC routines now they are adults ?
Did they form a pair ?
I would be tempted to cover the bottom with a bit of sand here IIWY and maybe add a natural light bulb (6500 K ) for more natural colours . Just my personal opinion .

[DanDiscus]

Hi Filip. Thank you for stopping to take a look and the comments.

I placed the color enhancing light in the front. Plus the S9+ pro feature, you are correct, the colors looks more vivid than what they really are. In the videos I will attach, those lights where in the back. The colors look more normal.

I have 2 pairs. See attached video links.

Feeding: I have increased it. One day 3 frozen blood worms Cubs plus 2 FDABW cubes. Following day 4 FDABW cubes and so on.
Feeding: once a day at around 7-8 PM

Water changes: once a week, 60-70 % of the display tank (75G). Remember I have a 20G fuge.

Vacations: I download the temp to 80 F and someone feed them 1 or 2 cubes per day during the 2 weeks I normally take. I could leave them without feeding, but my mother was always there to help.

After 2 years, last weekend I had to clean the first MATT filter. The one that is in first place. Look my first pictures. I have 2 Matt filters, one after the other. Plus I have a socket filter (first filtration).

That's all
Cheers
Daniel

Ps: I will post the videos later. Stay tuned :-)

[DanDiscus]

Here goes the videos of the pairs:

https://youtu.be/I4Yz0xsKUAw

https://youtu.be/l-_5fs7ysNs

https://youtu.be/18qF44unm0A

I am speaking in Spanish as I did the videos to send it to my parents. :-)

Cheers
Daniel

[DanDiscus]

Filip

How much sand, what type and in what way you will be adding it ?

Thanks !!

[Filip]

You are right Dan , videos shows their original colours .
Nice and compatible pair Dan . Did you have any wriglers in your main tank ? Do you cosider to maybe breed or raise baby discus in future ?
About the sand .
Just white plain sand , PFS , quartz silica based 0.3-0.8 mm grain size .That's the one that is most commonly used in discus tanks . Layer- 0.5 CM just to cover the glass .

[brewmaster15]

Dan,
Great job here! Im glad to you were able to keep the group going and healthy. Its not something that happens often enough!


This pair..


https://youtu.be/I4Yz0xsKUAw

Would be a really interesting one to breed.Very nice colors.
al

[MickO'S]

I love these tank logs !
It shows the the end game of the theory good or bad !

You have done an amazing job of the group of discus!! wasnt sure wheather to go with a single colour or a mixed colour group, seeing this I am definately going with a mixed group.
I'm starting with very small discus so will bare bottom for the first year or so but you give me hope for my ultimate goal of hi-tech planted system

thanks for keeping this up to date