Im new to discus and loving them

[Quintin]

I have removed the substrate and grass now my fishys are not happy but im making plan for bigger tank with some amazons driftwood with java moss and some rocks with java moss.hope they will forgive me

[Wjmulder]

Just to be clear, paint the OUTSIDE of the bottom of the tank. It will cut down on the reflection and make the discus happier.

[Quintin]

it was painted.But i think they miss weaving between the plants.and the problem with powerhead filter is that it pushes the pots around in the current

[du3ce]

theyre prob still getting used to the new changes

[Quintin]

This is what the my tank used to look like.

[Quintin]

This is it now.But im getting bigger tank soon with some nice plants.they really not happy

[Tazalanche]

Quintin, you REALLY need to read through the stickies in the Discus Basics for Beginners subforum, especially How do I set up my first discus tank?.

Part of why they're not happy may be because you have no filtration. A powerhead just moves the water around in the tank.

[Quintin]

The pics were shrinked.if you look behind the pots left cnr there i was using a cnr filter with wool and charcoaol.if i used that in conjunction with powerhead would it be better as i took the cnr filter out cause was told carbon bad for discus if u disturb the filter while cleaning it can let nitrates back into tank?

[Crazydiscus25]

[Quintin]

I did read the stickys recently and have found much info.but seeing that i live in south africa a lot of the product names arnt the same here.but i do cross check equivelant products on the net and am starting to come rite now.thanx for everyones imput good and bad.i have really lernt a lot from simply discus.

One can never have to much research and personal experience from people also helps a lot

[musicmarn1]

Also if you fish miss plants Strwberryblonde taught me a great method, pantyhose or stockings filled with substrate and root tabs, amazon swords or hardy plant into that, rubber band neck, roll down stocking and band or tie bottom
Squishy pots of plants that don't get filthy like pots with pebbles in do

[Quintin]

Just added my newest additions to my tank.2 checkerboard discus.ill post pics tommorow.my smallest red turq quickly informed the other discus whos in charge had each 1 of them hiding in a seperate cnr after 10min.but it seems they warming up to each other now all swimming together.funny how the smallest 1 is the most dominant in the tank.

[mastermamo]

Quintin, you REALLY need to read through the stickies in the Discus Basics for Beginners subforum, especially How do I set up my first discus tank?.

Part of why they're not happy may be because you have no filtration. A powerhead just moves the water around in the tank.

Agreed totally

[mastermamo]

I did read the stickys recently and have found much info.but seeing that i live in south africa a lot of the product names arnt the same here.but i do cross check equivelant products on the net and am starting to come rite now.thanx for everyones imput good and bad.i have really lernt a lot from simply discus.

One can never have to much research and personal experience from people also helps a lot

I'm in SA too. Drop me a pm if u need to know anything

[Quintin]

Hi everyone.I have just got my first water test kit.Please tell me what is the optimal PH level in a discus tank.and i would also like to know, i remove chlorine from water and was told i should also add stuff to remove the amonia in the water but in another thread saw that amonia kills the nitrates in the water and how do i check for nitrate levels.
Please advise.