jmaldo's Discus Build

[jmaldo]

Dennis contacted me yesterday to confirm. Of course I still had some questions. Very helpful and informative about feeding. I am still apprehensive about the beef hearts but assured me he will be weening them off and offered suggestions for other foods (sent pics). He also will be sending me updated pics/vids which I will share. 2 weeks to go.

[jmaldo]

Lights,
Ok, keepers curious, how do light your tanks?
I have a Fluval Aquasky and Finnex 24/7 on the tank right now. Both on a programmable timer using my phone. I will need to figure out some type of ramp up for the brightness. Maybe put the Finnex on the 24/7 mode and then have the Fluval come on for 4 hours ((noon-4pm). Hers is the lastest pic of the tank.

55 5112019.jpg

[Cove Beach]

I went with leds from 21LED in Texas. They sell lights geared towards saltwater but are also doing freshwater as well. They were also the only company offering fixtures to span a 72” tank. They offer a timer that is very programmable for color, brightness, and sunrise/sunset. It also simulates weather( clouds, lightning), the clouds are not bad but I don’t think the fish will like the lightning flashes. As far as brightness, I am running mine at about 30-35%, but I also don’t have plants.
I am running one fixture that is 8000K and one that is fifty-fifty white and blue. The discus really look great under the 50/50 light. I am planning on adding a third fixture soon to even out the lighting as my tank is 30” front to back and 27” deep. Lights are nearly a year old with no problems and the prices are very reasonable.

[jmaldo]

Thanks,
Now, you mentioned a timer. Does it ramp up. Just not sure if the sudden dark to light will startle the "Discus". Also, on another note I ordered some food from https://www.aquaticsuppliers.com/, just some of the food Dennis feeds his. *post#16

[danotaylor]

After 8 months solid of deer heart only I recently added FDBW to the diet of my discus from Dennis...it took about 2.5 seconds for them to take to it

[jmaldo]

Good to know. I was thinking about trying this recipe:
Small shrimp, mushed in a blender;
white fish, or mock crab, blendered;
seaweed (dulse) from the coast, blender chopped fine.
If you can't get it, peas, spinach, peas and carrots baby food, etc. Predators eat herbivores and get their plant gut contents;
astaxanthin powder (if I can get it, mild paprika if I can't);
food grade cricket powder (a new addition since I can get it in the grocery store here);
maybe water soluble avian vitamins, maybe not;
enough gelatin to hold it more or less together.

[jmaldo]

Update. Contacted "Dennis" to see how they were doing, he sent me this vid of them feeding. Just 7 more days until they are in my tank. Yeah!

https://youtu.be/avMLFS0vlhw

[danotaylor]

[Cove Beach]

Yes the timers ramp up and down gradually. They are wireless infrared remotes.

[jmaldo]

Update!
Dennis sent me a vid yesterday of them eating their last meal, shipping them Thursday. Only a few more days. Yeah!

https://youtu.be/EoC-J00Mb5Q

https://dennisdiscusfish.com/shop-di...sPage=products

[danotaylor]

Sweet mate. Excited for ya!!

[Dee1958]

Brooklyn your my neighbor. Dee

[jmaldo]

Update:

8x - 3" Discus doing fine.

Bravo to "Dennis" at https://dennisdiscusfish.com/shop-di...sPage=products
"Very Pleased" with the communication, timely scheduled shipping, packaging and follow-up contact.
Took my time and acclimated them which was not to difficult since the seller and my water are the same pH.
Maybe a pic or even a vid tomorrow.
Stay Tuned!

[jmaldo]

And here they are, getting to know their new home, and 'Eating" Yeah!

c2ZSATC.jpg

[swright135]

Joe,

Very beautiful discus, glad they are doing well for you. Best of luck growing them out.