How do I set up my first discus tank?

[PamelaJ]

I am getting ready to cycle my first tank, and I'm a little confused about the cycling. Everything I've read said the ammonia that you use should have no scent. The only ammonia I have been able to find smells like ammonia (like perm solution). It's clear colored with no suds. Is this the right stuff?

[RyanH]

What people are referring to are perfumes and scents that are often added to ammonia to make it smell better. Only buy plain ammonia without perfumes, colors, or flavors and you will be fine.

[PamelaJ]

I told my husband to make sure the stuff he bought was unscented, so the first thing he does upon opening the bottle is take a big old whiff of it. He says his nose hairs may never recover.

[Carol_Roberts]

LOL I bet he doesn't try that again

[PamelaJ]

New questions...

What temperature should I keep my tank at during cycling? Lights on or off? I have a 300 watt heater for a 190 gallon tank. Will this work or do I need 2 smaller heaters? After adding the first ammonia, how many days does it usually take for the water to clear? What percentage of the water should I be changing and how often during cycling?

Thanks in advance.
PamelaJ

[Carol_Roberts]

Hi Pamela:
I would put two 300 w heaters in that tank (3 watts per gallon). I keep the tank at 82 - 84F. After adding the ammonia I test to make sure it is between 3 - 5 ppm. I don't change any water. I test the tank evey day or two for ammonia - when it falls below 3 ppm I add more. The time varies - it depends how how quickly the "good" bacteria find your tank and start acting on the ammonia.

[PamelaJ]

Thanks Carol. My kit tests for max of 5.0 mg/l. :undecided I guess that's not good.

[Carol_Roberts]

I think that is pretty standard. That's why I say to add more than 3ppm and less than 5ppm

[discus2010]

hello i am a sort of new discus keeper i have had a pair but its not and has never been more seriuse then weekly water changes since i make impulsive decisions i got them when i was 12 (i am now 13).SO anyway i am now finding more about discus to start a fifty five gallons, i have made many mistakes but i wanted to know a "reputable breeder" as you stated above that hasnt got outrageos prices i have heard about cary but wanted t oknow some other options and some websites to see selections and prices excetera.

Thank you so much

[Carol_Roberts]

Where do you live?

[Serbi]

Hi Carol...
I have a Fluval canister filter and I find that it's definitely too hard to maintain it properly for a discus tank. I have a 55g tank... and you recommend an Aquaclear 500 filter. Do you have a good (meaning cost-effective) source for those filters? I've looked on-line a bit and don't seem to find any. What do you think about Penguin filters?

Thanks,
Serbi

[dishpanhands]

the 500 is now knowing as the 110. look at the top of the page here.
http://www.thatpetplace.com/Products.../Itemdy00.aspx

[Greg Richardson]

discus2010. You are very lucky imo as you can go visit Rick and hand pick.
He has some great discus.
I have some of his melons in my tank right now.

Check out the map to see where he is..........
http://www.frappr.com/daahdiscusaddicts

[Kap]

Greg,

How do we get in touch with Rick on daahdiscusaddicts?

[Greg Richardson]

Hi Kap. Sign up is easy there. Rick is a moderator there.
Sent him a PM so hopefully he get ahold of you or you can go there.

http://www.discusasahobby.com./index.html