How long to keep discus in an aging barrel

[jim LI]

I have to move my 72 gallon tank to paint the room it is in. I plan on placing the discus, 5 adults, into a 30 gallon aging barrel. It has a heater and air stone. How long can the fish safely stay in the barrel?

thanks,
Jim

[Adam S]

Without water changes? Probably a day or so, maybe 2-3 days if you fast them for 24-48 hours before moving them. Keeping the heat down, 80-82°F, and keeping them dark will also help.

[jim LI]

I won't be changing the water and I will fast them starting tonight. i plan on moving them tomorrow afternoon and putting them back late saturday night.

thanks

[tonytheboss1]

i plan on moving them tomorrow afternoon and putting them back late saturday night.

Having them fast & rehousing them in 48hrs or less should be fine. If for some reason you need to extend the time in the 30g, I would do at least 50/75% W/C. "T"

[DJW]

The bacteria in the biofilter need oxygen. Running the filter(s) in a bucket or in the barrel while the tank is down will prevent you from losing some of the cycle.

[Willie]

Hook up your filter to the drum and you can keep them in there for a week!

Willie

[Keith Perkins]

I'm with Willie, you do it right and you can do a week easy.

[jim LI]

Thanks for all the replies. the filter idea is 1 i didn't consider. that would take some stress off of the fish and myself.