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Eric's Grow Out Challenge Thread
Hi all -
Name's Eric and I'm excited to be a part of the challenge! I started keeping discus 3 years ago and the vast majority of useful information came from this site so I'm very appreciative. What Al, the mod's, and everyone who contributes has done for the hobby is remarkable.
I don't know as if I've developed a discus keeping philosophy however I do believe in big, frequent water changes. I currently have a tank of adult blue pigeon stendker discus and a tank of blue zebra PB angels. I age the water for the discus tank (although I've stopped heating it with the adult fish and just add 5-10gal of hot water prior to the WC).
Here's the setup:
Attachment 118487
My plan is 2x daily WC's in the range of 75-90%. I look forward to following everyone's thread and the spirit of a little competition!
Re: Eric's Grow Out Challenge Thread
When I grow mine 21 baby fry (about half inch long) six months ago and now they are all over 5 inches. None of them get sick. What I did is 2x daily WC of 90% and feed them like 9 times a day with FDBW, beef heart...... I am also believe in big frequent water changes too. Good luck with you grow out challenge:)
Re: Eric's Grow Out Challenge Thread
Eagle(s) have landed! I had a flurry of tracking updates overnight and they arrived to my local post office this AM so I went to grab them first thing.
After an estimated 80+ hrs in the bag, only 1 was dead on arrival (one of the double bagged pairs). Not bad! I floated the others for 10-15min and dropped them in. Fins are a bit clamped right now but everyone's swimming. Added 1 tbsp salt.
Interesting side note - one bag had blue water. Be interested to hear from Al about why just out of curiosity,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW1XCgc46N4
Re: Eric's Grow Out Challenge Thread
Good luck Eric .
I use the same preheating method on my aged water too . I just pour a gallon of Boiled water in my aging tank and temp. Instantly raise from room temp 62F to 80 F .So only a circulation pump in The aging tank .
Eagerly awaiting your discus photos In this thread .
Re: Eric's Grow Out Challenge Thread
Eric,
sorry one didnt make it but thrilled the others did!
All the bags had a little blue in them. When I used to ship fish I used a product called bag buddies by jungle that contains a mild sedative and detox agent for the water. I really loved the product. Jungle discontinued it . I still have a stash so I crushed some tablets up and adding a pinch to each bag.. a few bags probably got a bigger pinch as I was really rushing to make the post office.
Al
Re: Eric's Grow Out Challenge Thread
Wow . I guess we have posted In same time :) .
1 DOA isn't bad at all . Good luck and have fun with the rest of them .
Re: Eric's Grow Out Challenge Thread
Great news Eric and a testament to Al's awesome packing job. :D Hopeful everyone else gets their fish today.
Pat
Re: Eric's Grow Out Challenge Thread
Yeah this is excellent news... bodes well for others!! Congrats and enjoy! :)
Re: Eric's Grow Out Challenge Thread
Well they all seem to be eating now. Given the long trip I wanted to give them a day or so before I did the first big water change. Changed about 80% today without any issues and they went right back to grazing.
They do remain a little spooked but I think it's mainly my light set-up (I just use the room light which causes a shadow when I approach the tank). I also have to say these are the smallest fish I've ever tried raising so a bit nervous - but so far so good!
I'm glad everyone seems to be up and running!
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Re: Eric's Grow Out Challenge Thread
I think I'm close to getting them weaned over to a beefheart mix. Below are the ingredients (left 2 are multivitamins and garlic powder). This is my first time making it with the shrimp and it seems to be a good ingredient to get everything to bind together. I froze it in very thin sheets so it basically melts right as it hits the water.
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Re: Eric's Grow Out Challenge Thread
Is that salmon in the middle?
Re: Eric's Grow Out Challenge Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jeep
Is that salmon in the middle?
Yea beefheart, salmon, shrimp, and some spinach. Not sure where I first saw the salmon but Ive used it for the past year or so and the fish seem to like it.
Re: Eric's Grow Out Challenge Thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by
modealings
Yea beefheart, salmon, shrimp, and some spinach. Not sure where I first saw the salmon but Ive used it for the past year or so and the fish seem to like it.
I've used salmon and cod and they seem to like the cod a little more but I like how the salmon holds together better
Re: Eric's Grow Out Challenge Thread
Looks good. I used to make something similar... called it my "surf and turf " recipe. :)
Al
Re: Eric's Grow Out Challenge Thread
Nice looking meal Eric. Do you use a specific ingredients ratio or you just go by your intuition .I wonder if it stains the water too much ?