I'm new to this board!

[chicki]

Hi everyone, I have marine tanks right now (two 200 gal) I just added another 159 gallon tank thats 32 high by 24 wide by 48 long and it's drilled on one side. I put a 54 gallon trickle filter in it and I'm going to use it for quarantine tank for my marine tanks right now. When I'm finished doing that I'm thinking of keeping about 6 discus??
This frequent water change with the discus...kinda of bothers me. If I have a good filtration system and test for Am/Nitit/Nitra/ all the time then why do I have to change half the water every week?? I'm not into breeding them. I also don't care if they grow fast? Is this why your changing water everyday? Could someone fill me in here?
thanks alot , looking forward to learning more here.
chicki

[keno]

It really depends on what you want out of your fish. I have 120g barebottom tank that i do 40% water change everyday. I believe that for growout tanks the more water you change the faster the fish and bigger the fish will grow. Change the water 1x a week and you'll probely end up with 3-4" fish, do it 1x a day and with a good varied diet your fish will proably reach 6-8". So would you rather have a 4" stunt or 7" monster?

On the other hand My show tank is a 225 that I change 45% water 2x a week because my adults arent fed like my growouts.

I have been doing it this way for 5 years and it seems to work for me. I would say that if one is not willing to change 50% of the water 1x a week at the LEAST then sooner or later your discus will die a premature death.

Ken

[chicki]

thanks for the info...but I still would like to understand "why they would die a premature death"? if the water parameters are good??
thanks

[April]

Chicki hi and welcome. its a hard thing to explain but it works. we all do it and those who dont..have very small stunted fish. discus stunt very easy. they are from the cleanest water in the world.. and even with filtration ..think the water needs to be changed. feed change feed change. like babies. then as they get to be a bout 10 months they go through a major growth spurt then they slow down on the eating..and less waste etc and the water changes can be slowed down also. but...even if you slow down to once a week....all of a sudden we hear people saying......my fish are getting these pimples...or....they have a sore...or they have skin infections etc.
its worth the work. take my word for it. you get repaid in having big beautiful discus who come running up to you . and also i think the water changes makes them a very relaxed fish around you . as your working on their tank and they get used to you. once those guys look into your eyes...and you see their little discus smiles...take my word for it ...you willl be in love. and hooked .
are you from canada? i am...saw the .ca Im from vancouver

[chicki]

Hi, thanks! I'm from just outside of Edmonton. Do you know of any breeders in this area? I would love to go look at their fish?
Are these fish super shy? I ask because I don't do water changes every week on my saltwater tanks.. the fish are all wild caught and they all eat from my hands within a few weeks of being here.

[April]

their not shy if you have a group of at least 6 fish...and you feed small amounts often. they too will eat from your hand.
but its best if you do get from a good breeder with very healthy happy fish . otherwise your starting off with problematic fish and can get discouraged. check some of the banners on this forum. their all good breeders.
not sure if there are any in edmonton. most of us in canada have to go to the states to get good fish. jimmy in toronto has nice fish but he doesnt ship. Dave in winnepeg could have some...not sure. hes on here.
i get mine from great lakes discus and a discus dream and some even from australia. and most i know in canada get from the same places. exchange is more..but..nice fish. not sure what states are below you..if you drove.
it woudl be great if you could find a hatchery to go see at least.
check the locator section toward the bottom and see if anyone has posted from edmonton. i know theres a few in calgary.but not really breeders.

[Smokey]

chicki;;; I would suggest going to Henry's, just of White Avenue and 97 th street. Alot of Edmonton breeders wholesale through him.
As for going to a breeders, to look, hmmmmm, ; Chat with Henry and any other people that may be in his store.
Ps. the Edmonton aquarium club,, A.C.E. IS HAVING THEIR AUCTION ON THE 19th of this month ..... Attend.. great deals and wonderful fish.... aquariumclubofedmonton.netfirms.com for more information.

ps. I'm an x- Edmontonian.
Good luck
and welcome to simply discus..

[keno]

Hi Chicki, your question as to why they need water changes if you have good paramters is a question that has plagued the discus world for years. People have many different theory's, some really wild ones, some that make lots of sense to me. Too many to go into on this thread I can only tell you that water changes are needed for big happy healthy discus and that has been proven years over. Sorry for no sure answer.

Ken