bare bottom vs substrate

[strungout]

Hello forum,

I was reading and was thinking about getting into just discus and maybe possible cories for my 100g tank. I plan on breeding them so if the corys are a nuisssance than I won't get them. My question is why is bare bottom so much better than substrate? I hear everyone switching or using it in other post. I was gonna do a planted tank co2 with discus, plenty of filtration and airstones plus uv. But what are benefits for bare bottom. Thx for reading my first post.

[Wes]

Are you getting adults or juveniles? http://forum.simplydiscus.com//showthread.php?t=34299

[strungout]

adults 5", still reading post link

[Wes]

This one on planted tank is good info. http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?93624-My-Planted-Tank-Experience With adults its more doable but 1st read as much as you can about planted tank and discus.

[strungout]

Yeah I think I'm going take a stab at planted, or go pots, deciding between.

[strungout]

yeah i think im going bb:D with pots co2 airstones and filtration. would that fair well+

[Wes]

Pots easier. You may try bare bottom for a little while. You will be amazed how much waste or uneaten food is in the bottom of the tank every day. Doing it this way , you will see if you are feeding to much and adjust. In gravel the waste and food hide you dont see it.

[Wes]

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?36155-Relationship-between-CO2-KH-and-pH

[strungout]

thank you very much for help

[LKSDiscus]

Hi Wes, I'm trying something a little different and doing some growing out with some discus. I have a 210g and on each side I have drift wood and some gavel with some plants in gravel and some pots as well. then the main part of the tank which probably span about 4ft of my 6ft tank is bb with some corys and pleco's they keep it sparkling clean also do the water changes everyday so that helps too. So we will see how this work, but I guess I have the best of both worlds. My discus at night like the little islands with the driftwood so they can hide and go to sleep. During the day they like the middle of the tank and pick off the bottom or like to look in the mirror reflection. I have very easy plants so I don't use co2 at this point it works.

[Wes]

No problem. Discus are worth it.

[Wes]

Hi Wes, I'm trying something a little different and doing some growing out with some discus. I have a 210g and on each side I have drift wood and some gavel with some plants in gravel and some pots as well. then the main part of the tank which probably span about 4ft of my 6ft tank is bb with some corys and pleco's they keep it sparkling clean also do the water changes everyday so that helps too. So we will see how this work, but I guess I have the best of both worlds. My discus at night like the little islands with the driftwood so they can hide and go to sleep. During the day they like the middle of the tank and pick off the bottom or like to look in the mirror reflection. I have very easy plants so I don't use co2 at this point it works. I started my 120 with wood and jave fern, 10 discus and 10 cories . The plants started to go down hill after 6 months. It seem The 75 to 90% daily water changed daily took it toll on my plants. Just wood in there now. I keep a 75 planted community tank, no discus in there, to satisfy my gardener side.

[LKSDiscus]

I did the same agree with java ferns, using cryps and some of annubias, so far doing good potted and in just gravel.

[strungout]

Do discus like strong current or low flow?

[LKSDiscus]

mine and what I read they like low flow

[Wes]

low flow. you want them to eat be lazy and grow big. No liquid treadmill. They can get stressed. They are shaped like a sail if they turn sideways to the current. they go flying.

[Wes]

The discus tank alot easier to clean.
http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n622/xeriod/fish006.jpg
http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n622/xeriod/Picture123.jpg
It takes me less time to change water and clean the 120, 29 and 2-20 gallon bare bottoms than the 1 planted 75. Thats why I went bare bottom on the discus tanks.