Keeping tefe green discus

[Aznman1]

I agree Pat I've had mine for a couple months now, and their colors have gotten a bit better, but nothing compared to my painted japura which I have only had for a month

[Second Hand Pat]

Aznman1, ok you make me ask lol...painted amputee?

[Aznman1]

Sorry haha on my iPad autocorrect I changed it back it should say "japura" not "amputee" lol. Anyway now that I've began ordering more expensive wilds I can see a clear difference in the two

[neon]

So what would the best method to add the tefe's to my tank? A slow drip or just float and plop.

[Aznman1]

I float and plop because that way you can avoid ammonia burns on your new fish

[Larry Bugg]

They need to be Q/T'd first. Plop and drop in a QT tank.

[Aznman1]

I agree with Bugman. I hope that QT was implied

[JamesP]

Neon,

Tefe's just like all discus enjoy soft water. That said I raise all grow outs and non breeding adults in hard tap water. It is easier to keep the water clean since the tap is faster than the RO filter. I spawn my Tefes in a PH 5.8 to 6.0 and virtually 100% RO. The photo below is of a Tefe in straight tap with a PH of 8.1. The colors do improve with softer water but depending on your setup they will do just fine is tap. As far as new fish float to temp and make sure your tank is fairly neutral and not acidic and you should be fine. Good luck with them.

Jim
Green Tefe in Tap along with Large Heckel.

I want to order two 6" tefe green discus from john snookn21 on monday. Does anyone know what ph john keeps them at? I need some suggestions on how to safely add the fish to my tank if the levels are different them mine. My levels are the following ph is 7.8, GH is 300, KH 300, nitrate is 0 and nitrite is 0. The temp is 84. Are my levels to high to add them. Should I wait on ordering and be working to get my levels down?

[neon]

Yes I was talking about QT tank which is 29gal is this a good size for that purpose?

[Aznman1]

That's would be a real tight fit for two 6" tefes. If you have a 40 or 55 gallon that would work better. The tighter the space the more stress it will cause. Stress in turn can lead to problems. Believe me when I tell you these guys are big!

[neon]

After they are in QT of 4 weeks. I will then move the two tefe's to my 55gallon. In the 55 I have driftwood and sand on the bottem and some live amazon sword plant. This will make a total of 6 discus and 1 bushynose pleco in the 55. Will this be ok?

[Larry Bugg]

I think the 29 gallon will be just fine for two adults in qt. Heck, I keep my breeding pairs in 20's.

[Aznman1]

Well Larry would know better than me. I thought it was small, but then again Larry breeds these bad boys

[neon]

I will go ahead and them in the 29 and keep them use tap water. While still in the 29 I can work on lower the ph and soften the water. But do the same to the 55gal.

[Aznman1]

Sounds like a good plan neon best of luck