Reply With QuoteWelcome!
Are your discus a pair?
Most here will tell you that discus do better in groups and 2 discus alone that aren't a pair could fight or have aggression issues. How big are they?
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Hello! New here
Hi all.
My name is Cyrus and I've been lurking for quite a while and joined a bit ago and have just not posted before. I have a 60 gallon tank with a fluval 306 canister. I have a sponge pre-filter on the intake and a spray bar on the output. I used eco-complete for substrate as I don't prefer the look of bare bottom. White background. I have two discus to start and a couple angelfish. Will be planting during an upcoming water change so they have some hiding places. Will also be adding driftwood to the tank.
I'm giving all this information in hopes for some feedback. I do hope it all sounds good.
I purchased my discus from a well known local store that breeds discus called Wet Pets in Washington, PA. Really great and knowledgeable staff and fantastic quality fish.
Re: Hello! New here
Welcome!
Are your discus a pair?
Most here will tell you that discus do better in groups and 2 discus alone that aren't a pair could fight or have aggression issues. How big are they?
Re: Hello! New here
I will be getting more next week. They are only about 3.5" maybe 4"
Re: Hello! New here
Any plans to quarantine the new fish?
Re: Hello! New here
I'll comment on just the substrate....
it is dark colored which causes your fish to darken. It will not show off their best colors.
Eco-complete is very angular and will trap a lot of debris making it difficult to do a good cleaning.
You will spend a lot of money on the substrate and at some point decide you want to remove the substrate because it is not really the best for discus...been there done that!
Start right and use a light colored sand if you have to have a substrate.
Re: Hello! New here
Could I do a light color over the eco-complete?
Re: Hello! New here
I have an 1-1/12 inches of white sand in my discus tank,,its sold as "national geographic" in some stores and other names elsewhere,,it makes cleaning the bottom extremely easy,, makes every speck of waste or food easily seen and siphoned off,,once a week or so i siphon about a 1/4 inch of the top, wash it and replace it with ease,,, tried the sand over gravel in my 75 planted tank and am about to get rid of the gravel,,the sand sinks into and mixes with the gravel making it next to impossible to clean the bottom,,, the gravel just gets sucked into and plugs the hose, so one vote for the sand!!!!
Re: Hello! New here
No,because you'll need to clean the substrate.I would clean it all and not just the top half.Washing it and replacing is not a good idea as previously mentioned.Originally Posted by CoasterCyrus
Re: Hello! New here
No doesn't work, the finer sand sifts into the nooks and crannies and you get a real mess.
The de facto substrate for discus if pool filter sand. Cheap, forms a good cap to keep the detritus on top, easy to clean.
Re: Hello! New here
Alright. I'm appreciating all of this feedback. What's the easiest way for me to get rid of this substrate?
Re: Hello! New here
I like my buddy Neptune also removed all of my eco and replaced with a small amount of sand. I went from 120# of eco to 50# white sand
I removed fish drained water and shop vac'd it all out
Really wasn't as bad as I thought
Im not illiterate...only my phone's auto correct is
Re: Hello! New here
A large diameter hose and siphon will do it as well.
Re: Hello! New here
Ok, so I'm thinking that on Monday I will take care of this by doing a 75% water change. While the water is drained I will scoop out the eco substrate with dust a dust pan and then siphon out whatever is remaining that I can't get with the dust pan.
I am using RODI water with Discus Trace. I am doing this due to the pH levels that come out of my water. They are too high for Discus so the RODI gives me neutral.
I am including a picture and video of the tank.
https://youtu.be/MaZyV6I6w0w
Re: Hello! New here
Hi Cyrus, best to remove the fish to a bucket with an airstone while you remove the gravel. You may be surprised at the amount of gunk in the gravel. What is your ph?
Pat
Your discus are talking to you....are you listening
Re: Hello! New here
Hi Pat!
pH is at 7.4 currently but lowering with every water change.
I cycled the tank with declorinated tap and have since moved over to an RODI.
I will remove the fish for gravel removal. I just need to wait until Monday when I'm not workin so I can take the time to do it
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