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Thread: Discus Newbie 55g Barebottom

  1. #1
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    Post Discus Newbie 55g Barebottom

    Hey all,


    Like others, gonna start this thread to get advice along the way. Here is the setup. Tank is (slowly) cycling, so probably a couple weeks out.


    TANK
    Standard 55 gallon long
    Bare bottom - bottom painted white, blue background sheet
    2 AC 70s, no carbon and added an extra sponge and prefilters
    2 Eheim Jager 250w heaters holding steady at 84 degrees


    FISH
    Looking at 6 3"-4" discus from Kenny, or possibly our new sponsored supplier (local to me), Dennis.
    Will be a mix of strains and colors (hopefully)


    WATER
    Using API liquid drops for water testing

    In discussions with Kenny, he seemed to think my tap water would be fine:
    6 (100) gH, 3 (50) kH, 8.2 pH (drops to 7.6 after 24 hours in tank), 0ppm Am, 0ppm NI, 0ppm NA

    Will be doing 50% daily water changes
    Will use Stability and Prime with each change


    FOOD
    4 times/day (9am, 12pm, 4pm, 8pm, WC)
    Al's freeze dried blackworms
    Hikari/San Fran frozen blood worms
    Hikari discus bio-gold pellets
    Seachem discus probiotic flakes


    tanksetup.jpg

  2. #2
    Administrator and MVP Dec.2015 Second Hand Pat's Avatar
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    Default Re: Discus Newbie 55g Barebottom

    Looks like a great start Lionheart, I would suggest aging your water since you have a ph drop.
    Pat
    Your discus are talking to you....are you listening


  3. #3
    Registered Member + MVP danotaylor's Avatar
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    Default Re: Discus Newbie 55g Barebottom

    Looks great mate!! That's quite the psychedelic background pic...some nice bright red & yellow strains would really pop against that...

  4. #4
    Homesteader Paul Sabucchi's Avatar
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    Default Re: Discus Newbie 55g Barebottom

    Hi and welcome to Simply Discus, you have all the basics correct to achieve good results, maybe just leave out the frizen bloodworms as their nutritional value is scarce but on the other hand often cause health problems (although I hear SF is one of the better quality ones)

  5. #5
    Registered Member Pices's Avatar
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    Default Re: Discus Newbie 55g Barebottom

    Good advice given above. It’s sounds like you have the makings of a healthy happy discus tank. Keep us posted and welcome!
    Patty
    If the discus are happy, I’m happy

  6. #6
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    Default Re: Discus Newbie 55g Barebottom

    No frozen bloodworms? OK. I thought I had read about using them.

    Still on the fence on beefheart. Guess I need to see if i can even get it here.

    I have gotten too many recommendations to age water so ignore it, so will be getting a 45 gallon trash can that will hide nicely in my bathroom closet. I move on of my 250W heater into it and purchased a Sunsun JVP-110 2.5W for agitation.

  7. #7
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    Default Re: Discus Newbie 55g Barebottom

    So, tank is still cycling. Been pretty slow, so I have been adding some filter media and substrate from my other tanks. Just today got a smidge of nitrites so hoping it will not be long.

    I have also added a Sunsun JVP-110 2.5W 528GPH Mini Wavemaker, mostly to help with cleaning the bottom. I have it slightly pointed up, moved one of my AC to the same back corner, and added extensions to the filters so they are just a couple inches from the tank bottom. I have watched as some small pieces of debris traveling along the bottom and then into the filter. Hoping this circular flow will cut down on the poop on the bottom (although I know I will just need to clean that filter more often). That and my breeder has a pretty heavy flow in his tanks so I doubt it will bother them.

    IMG_1476.jpg



    I also finished installing this Belkin power strip. It has both outlets that stay on (for lights) and outlets that can be remotely turned off (filters, temp, powerhead). This way, during wc and feedings, I can just flip a switch and turn off filters and powerhead. Plan is to set a timer so as not to forget to turn it back on.

    IMG_1444.jpg



    I got an EcoPlus 1056 GPH pump for pumping water out of my (yet to be purchased) aging trash can, although I still need to get better tubing. I got some from Lowe's but it kinks a lot. I think I am also going to pick up a python for siphoning and draining. Luckily, I have a bathroom sink about 40 feet away. So, the thinking is to use the python to siphon/drain, then pump aged water into the tank, and then use the siphon again to fill the aging can. Any debris from the drain should be killed by the chlorine in the aging can, right? (not going to add prime to the aging can).

  8. #8
    Homesteader Adam S's Avatar
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    Default Re: Discus Newbie 55g Barebottom

    Looking good so far. A couple thoughts:

    - It really cuts down on maintenance if the flow settles waste in a spot or two instead of kicking it up into the filter. This way you can just siphon it out during water changes and go longer in between filter cleanings.

    - EcoPlus lists incorrect thread sizes for their pumps. Hold off on buying barbs/adapters until you get the pump.

  9. #9
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    Default Re: Discus Newbie 55g Barebottom

    Just placed my order with Dennis!

    Family is super excited. Each of my girls got to pick out 2.

    4” Blue Turquoise
    4” Marlboro Yellow
    4” Red Turquoise
    3.75” Red Pigeon
    3.75” Golden Pigeon
    3.5” Snow White
    3.5” Golden Sunrise

    Just waiting for tank to cycle.

  10. #10
    Registered Member + MVP danotaylor's Avatar
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    Default Re: Discus Newbie 55g Barebottom

    That's great news mate. I'm sure Dennis is happy with a return on his sponsorship investment, and I know you will be stoked as well!!
    Keep us posted on your progress

  11. #11
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    Default Re: Discus Newbie 55g Barebottom

    Sounds like a great group with lots of colour going on !!
    I did a democratic let everyone in the family pick fish. It gets everyone involved!

    Any idea when you’ll be getting them ??

  12. #12
    Homesteader Paul Sabucchi's Avatar
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    Default Re: Discus Newbie 55g Barebottom

    Planning by committee at it's best! Can't wait to see your new fish

  13. #13
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    Default Re: Discus Newbie 55g Barebottom

    Here is the group: How do they look?


  14. #14
    Moderator Team LizStreithorst's Avatar
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    Default Re: Discus Newbie 55g Barebottom

    Very nice. From what I've seen, Dennis imports good fish.
    Mama Bear

  15. #15
    Registered Member + MVP danotaylor's Avatar
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    Default Re: Discus Newbie 55g Barebottom

    They look great mate, and will get better and better as they settle in more. I'm very happy with the quality of my fish from Dennis as well, and he's very easy to work with. Keep the updates coming

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