question about returning pairs to a community tank

[Diamond Discus]

I am going to suspend breeding efforts and break down tanks for the spring and summer to be able to persue showing my horse. I have 3 breeding pairs, 3 extra males and one extra female, all 3 years old except one pair that is over 1 year old (10 fish) which I put in a 120 gallon tank last Saturday. I realize they will need to establish a pecking order. At first I had a double high sponge filter in addition to 2 canister filters but there began an immediate struggle for possession of the sponge filter resulting in one pair keeping the other 8 fish in less that 1/4 of the opposite end of the tank. I removed this pair and then another pair took up where they left off, harrassing the rest of the fish. I got mad yesterday and put that pair back in with the group because what's the difference...there is going to be a dominant pair no matter who is in there!! I also added a bunch of fake plants which changed nothing, and only made it seem more crowded. This morning while changing their water I removed the plants and sponge filter, leaving the tank completly bare with nothing to stake a claim to, but most of the time the female of this dominant pair is still in the center of the tank, her mate at the far end, and all the rest still at the other end. There is no physical damage to any fish, not as many male confrontations, but there is still a lot of tension, rapid gilling, and I'm sure stress on all fish. Today after removing everything from the tank there is improvement where the dominant pair will swim in and out of the group or even hang around with them for a while. They now allow them to eat, and sometimes I see a few of the other fish at the opposite end ot the tank; which is better than before. In you opinion will this eventually work itself out or is this an impossible situatuon?? How long should I give it before I need to intervene for fear of stress related problems?

If they ever get along, I'm not sure I will ever seperate them again into pair tanks again, because this is stressing me out too! I know breeders take pairs in and out of community tanks to breed and put one or both back in when the separate them from the fry. What has been your experience with the combining pairs after having been separated from a group setting??? Help!!

[Green Country Discus]

Sue, they will work it out.Defiantly don't stress.....very natural thing this is! When/if you set them back up in breeder tanks, you will be surprised how fast they recognize each other and get to the work of making fry ;).
We do this all the time.

[Diamond Discus]

Sue, they will work it out.Defiantly don't stress.....very natural thing this is! When/if you set them back up in breeder tanks, you will be surprised how fast they recognize each other and get to the work of making fry ;).
We do this all the time.
Oh, thank you so much Andrew!! You really don't know how much it means to me to have an experienced answer. They are better today, not great but better. I just needed a shoulder...thanks for providing one!!

[Apistomaster]

Andrew is correct. Just throw them in together and try not to worry about all the posturing the pairs do.

[Diamond Discus]

Thanks Apistomaster! They have settled in now....the dominant pair spawned on the intake tube last night...it was their first spawn. They are young, around 1 year old. The rest are seasoned spawning pros. :D Now since they have that out of their system they are more laid back. The rest of the group are cruising the tank with minor nipping causing the receipient to simply swim a fast circle but not run away. It's wonderful...I know it does not always work out so well. :)