Originally Posted by
peewee1
Al, because I am/was a discus breeder/hobbyist from way back I am wondering about all of the processes that I am now reading about on this most excellent forum. At the time I would drive 800 miles from my home to meet with Herman at Fairly Lake. Buy a dozen or so discus from him, put them in my trunk, and proceed to drive 14 or so hours to get back home. Using 20 gallon bare tanks with flower pot, tap water, peat moss in filter, and home made beef heart and very few water changes I could get a number of spawning pairs. I left the hobby 15 years ago but came back 5 months ago and a referral to Kenny. Knowing nothing else I set up the tank 2 days before the fish arrived then added the fish when they arrived. No chemicals, no testing, no cycling...just bare tank, tap water, 82 degrees, and fish. No peat moss but pretty much the old way.
From the forum I have found some wonderful foods, the black worms are the best. And because I read here that the water changes are good I have set up Sunday as water change day, 30%. The 5 fish are growing, have huge appetites, and are healthy. My question is, am I going to gain anything more by concerning myself with cycling, ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, and daily water changes? I have been thinking about this for several weeks. It slightly bothers me that I might be damaging my fish somehow. Great forum, great advice, I read threads daily. Thanks for all that you do for the discus hobbyists around the world.