ordering Discus

[Doogy262]

As some of you may know I have a 90 g. Discus tank with 6 very healthy 5-6 inch Discus.Tank has been up and running for two years and for the last one and half years i have had no problems.i feed three times a day and change 30% of the water every other day and sometimes two days in a row.Chicago Discus May list just came out and they have some beautiful Blue Diamonds and Gold Pandas but also some nice blue snakeskins I was going to add two more to make 8 but would like to get one of each of the ones I mentioned.Is 9 in a 90 g. tank O.K.???no other fish except 7 sterbai cory cats that I have had for 1 1/2 years...Thanks...

[LizStreithorst]

Not too many if you do 30% water change daily without fail.

[gators111]

As long as they are the same size roughly it should be okay. I would be more worried about pathogens and would quarantine the new ones for a month or so before putting them in with the others.

[14Discus]

Just out curiosity......what do you have for filtration w your 90g?

[Doogy262]

Just out curiosity......what do you have for filtration w your 90g?

I have a cascade 1500 and sunsun 302 both canister filters...

[14Discus]

That’s abt 600 gph which is good. Assuming you packed your baskets w media for both aerobic and anaerobic bb, things should be ok. I’m a fan of using multiple filtration methods.....sump, canister, and hobs.

What I’m going to put forth is meant w all due respect to Liz, as she does indeed know her stuff. Other members might diss me, for frequent massive WCs do seem to be the “norm” for many at this great site, and that’s fine. My thoughts are just another perspective from another Discus hobbyist. If I had to do 30% WCs daily, I dare say I’d have to leave the keeping of Discus.
While WCs are really good for water perimeters, ultra filtration can ease the frequency some, especially with adult fish...imho.

You might try adding a sump and or hobs to increase your water cleansing. If you can maintain low nitrate levels w the other factors in balance, then the need for daily 30% WCs will not be necessary. 9 fish in a 90g tank is a fine ratio of 10g per fish or so (can’t forget the Cories) assuming you don’t overfeed. My 75g tank has a FX4 canister, two hobs (400 and 200), two anaerobic canisters, and a 15 gallon sump w sock, bio balls, and a 3 foot long refugium with water sprite. I have a heavy bioload of 10 Discus in it w five Cories and my NO3 levels are between 0-5. I do weekly 40-50% WCs and all is good. I realize that 10 is too many (7.5g per fish), but compensate with all the filtration and two light feedings a day. My tanks are very thinly planted with 1/2-3/4 inches of coarse sand. My 55g tank is setup the same, except a Fluval 406 canister instead of the FX4, but with 6 Discus in it.

Again.....many Discus people do the daily WC thing w great success and I’m merely showing what works for me. Lastly, having only one type of filtration is a bit risky (especially w power outage issues and canister only filtration). When you have multiple filtration methods, the others can pick up the slack some should the canisters fail or when cleaning out the canisters.

Gators111’s concern for pathogens is very real. Doing a QT on new arrivals is critical and do try the “Hero” fish routine. I’d hate to see your well established tank be jeopardized by adding new fish hastily.

4583B0A4-22DE-4E7B-852F-83B574E219D3.jpg
This pic only shows 2/3 of the tank.


Respectfully,

[Doogy262]

That’s abt 600 gph which is good. Assuming you packed your baskets w media for both aerobic and anaerobic bb, things should be ok. I’m a fan of using multiple filtration methods.....sump, canister, and hobs.

What I’m going to put forth is meant w all due respect to Liz, as she does indeed know her stuff. Other members might diss me, for frequent massive WCs do seem to be the “norm” for many at this great site, and that’s fine. My thoughts are just another perspective from another Discus hobbyist. If I had to do 30% WCs daily, I dare say I’d have to leave the keeping of Discus.
While WCs are really good for water perimeters, ultra filtration can ease the frequency some, especially with adult fish...imho.

You might try adding a sump and or hobs to increase your water cleansing. If you can maintain low nitrate levels w the other factors in balance, then the need for daily 30% WCs will not be necessary. 9 fish in a 90g tank is a fine ratio of 10g per fish or so (can’t forget the Cories) assuming you don’t overfeed. My 75g tank has a FX4 canister, two hobs (400 and 200), two anaerobic canisters, and a 15 gallon sump w sock, bio balls, and a 3 foot long refugium with water sprite. I have a heavy bioload of 10 Discus in it w five Cories and my NO3 levels are between 0-5. I do weekly 40-50% WCs and all is good. I realize that 10 is too many (7.5g per fish), but compensate with all the filtration and two light feedings a day. My tanks are very thinly planted with 1/2-3/4 inches of coarse sand. My 55g tank is setup the same, except a Fluval 406 canister instead of the FX4, but with 6 Discus in it.

Again.....many Discus people do the daily WC thing w great success and I’m merely showing what works for me. Lastly, having only one type of filtration is a bit risky (especially w power outage issues and canister only filtration). When you have multiple filtration methods, the others can pick up the slack some should the canisters fail or when cleaning out the canisters.

Gators111’s concern for pathogens is very real. Doing a QT on new arrivals is critical and do try the “Hero” fish routine. I’d hate to see your well established tank be jeopardized by adding new fish hastily.

4583B0A4-22DE-4E7B-852F-83B574E219D3.jpg
This pic only shows 2/3 of the tank.


Respectfully,

I waited until I retired so water changes are not a problem.I 30% every other day.No room for a sump as I have a small house The cascade is loaded with two trays of foam coarse-med-fine and two trays of Matrix.No room for quarantine either that is why for the last two years I have used Chicago Discus Maranda has never failed me and it is a risk that is necessary.