Week 9

[wgtaylor]

Nine weeks and all the discus are doing well. I am still growing these guys out in the very simple traditional method.
Lots of basic food and large water changes. Simple I can handle.

I had to make another batch of beefheart and shrimp mix. I cut back on the shrimp to twenty five percent and seventy five percent beefheart.
Not sure if it will make any difference but that is the ratio I usually make the mix. I am still feeding beefheart/shrimp mix twice per day
and flake two to three times with pellets once at midday during their water change.

Their water changes have been constant seventy to seventy five percent per day and siphon the bottom before lights off at night.
All sides, bottom of tank, air lines and any surfaces in the tank are wiped down every other day.
The water parameters have stayed the same, 65 microseimens, 30 parts per million, ph 6.5 with 0 nitrites and 0 ammonia.
The nitrates about 5 ppm. Temperature increased a little to 85 to 85.5 degrees.

Week 9 tank shot, they are starting to fill more of the fifty five gallon tank.
There is a little aggression at feeding but not excessive so the tank size is still working.


Group shot of these guys, hard to get them all in the view at one time.


Here is a head shot to show they are putting on a little more thickness.


There is two of the golden albino type with less color pattern. I really like the clean look of these guys.


I have one like this with the vertical pattern that continues to fill in more.


Bill

[Chad Hughes]

Bill,

Looking great! Your routine is solid and it shows in these babies! Great work!

Best wishes!

[wgtaylor]

Thanks Chad,

Looks like all these guys are pretty consistent. Easy to care for, good and healthy.

Bill

[acroken]

Bill,
Beautiful! They are looking awesome. I like really like the variation you have in pattern vs. solid. Nice camera work too! We have a very similar approach in raising these challenge fish. Glad everything is working out so well for you. Great job.Keep it going.

kenny

[Armandi_Fishcarer]

Bill, always a pleasure too look at your pics my friend. The fish are coming along tramendously. Keep up the good job!

Regards
Ahmed

[Eddie]

The fish are gorgeous Bill, super nice!!! Doing a killer job with them!

Take care my friend,

Eddie

[Disgirl]

They all look wonderful but I particularly like the last one. It is so different and I like that! Good job!
Barb

[wgtaylor]

They all look wonderful but I particularly like the last one. It is so different and I like that! Good job!
Barb

Hi Barb,
I like that last one too, flashy color is always an eye catcher.
Thank you for the compliments.
Bill

The fish are gorgeous Bill, super nice!!! Doing a killer job with them!
Take care my friend,
Eddie

Hey Eddie,
Compliments coming from a Killer Discus Keeper like you is always flattering.
Thanks Eddie,
Bill

Bill, always a pleasure too look at your pics my friend. The fish are coming along tramendously. Keep up the good job!
Regards
Ahmed

Ahmed, its friends like you on this site that makes posting weekly updates enjoyable.
Thank you
Bill

Bill,
Beautiful! We have a very similar approach in raising these challenge fish.
kenny

Hi Kenny,
I purposely set this tank up with food and water changes that could be duplicated by any beginning discus hobbyist to raise juveniles to adults.
It is such a simple setup that has been used successfully for decades. Keeping it simple and fifteen minutes per day will get you very nice adults.
I hope new people coming to this site hopefully can pick up something useful from us.
Thanks Kenny
Bill

[calihawker]

Incredible shots as usual Bill. Very nice indeed!

[Scribbles]

Amazing pictures! Your discus look incredible too. Keep up the good work.

Chris

[wgtaylor]

Amazing pictures!
Chris

Incredible shots

Thanks Steve and Chris,

I appreciate the compliments on the pictures. I don't have much experience with cameras as you could tell by the first pictures I took when we started this contest.
I try to get the pictures with tank lighting only, no flash and the ISO setting at 1600. This contest has forced me to experiment with taking fish pictures so it has been
one more learning experience I have enjoyed along with the contest.

Bill