Hi Al, and what a very well constructed question. I was nodding my head, pretty much all the way through....
Well, I'm just venturing into my first discus tank. Early days yet, I'm still cycling my 166g with 34g sump. There's a whole story behind that, but that's a digression....
Yep, already thought about breeding. Even sourced a couple smaller tanks for £15 and £25. Craigs List not so popular this side of the Atlantic, but we have other sources for decent, cheap equipment. I still need to buy a decent size grow tank for the 12 discus I intend to stock. Am sure some will pair off, so that's why I bought the smaller tanks. We shall see what comes of that. One thing's for sure, I won't be throwing them out (the tanks), just in case
I'm not deluded though. I know it's not just a case of setting up some tanks with sponge filters and hey presto, lot's of wigglers and the bucks come rolling in.... This is just my wishful thinking. Like winning the lottery, and what you'd do with the cash....
I just want to raise some beautiful, healthy discus. I'm going to keep things very simple as my first attempt. I fell in love with the Iripixi's, WOW!!! The Heckel variations, and setting up some kinda mega-biotope..... Yeah right, dream on. I'd be very happy keeping some Stendker's alive to 6", with my limited knowledge.
I kept fish a few years back, and loved it, but Discus are something special. I'm already thinking where I'm gonna fit all those tanks. My workshop for my job is on unstable ground, lol...
Great question. Cheers, Rob