1) Please Introduce your self and tell us what your experience is with fishkeeping, give us as much information as possible as to how long in the hobby, what you have kept in the past and what you currently are working with:
My name is Aja, I have about 20+ years experience with fish keeping, but never with Discus. I have a 30G tank now with Pictus catfish, black tail shark, small eel, Marble large Angelfish, and a couple different loaches. I have had larger tanks in the past with cichlids and an Oscar each in 75 and 80 gal tanks. I have zero experience in using a sump for freshwater but that is the route I would like to take with my new Discus.
2) If you have no previous experience with keeping discus, have you done any research to properly prepare yourself, e.g. have you read any Stickies in this section of SimplyDiscus, or other material?
I found this forum through watching the King of DIY on YT. I have watched just about all his videos and I am so glad he recommended this site it has been the best source of information. I have been following a lot of YT on the subject of Discus and sump setups. I am also reading a couple books, one named The Perfect Aquarium by Jeremy Gay edited by Reader's Digest and the other book is titled Discus World by Chris Ingham. I am currently desperately searching for a step by step guide to building a 40 gallon sump and then plumbing the sump to an overflow box without drilling into tank. I have already purchased and waiting for delivery on a Eshopps overflow setup.
3) Describe your tank, its size and dimensions, breeding or display. Include how long it has been setup or if it is still being cycled.
I have a 75gal glass tank by Aqueon. Also a 40 gal tank I plan to use for a DIY sump. It is nowhere near ready for setup. I am still searching for a step by step guide or a YT video to help guide me through the build that has correct measurements for baffles, piping, and airhoses. Haven't found one yet and I have watched at least 50 videos so far. I am not exactly sure how many chambers I should use and I am still researching the media. I have purchased a pump rated 782GPH.
4) Describe the décor for the tank; type of substrate or bare bottom (BB), whether the tank will be planted or a biotope.
While the discus are still considered Juvenile I plan on having a BB tank but I will tile the bottom. I already have the tile in mind and have ordered a rock background and will probable just have one piece of med-large driftwood in the center. Once they have matured fully I plan to have a nice planted landscape.
5) Describe your water changes planned or practiced, percentage and how often. Include if you age your water and use of tap/RO or mix.
I plan to aged water and Rooibos. I will use my regular tap. I plan to use aged water to perform 50% water changes 2/week.
6) Describe the type of filtration planned/used for the tank; sponge, HOB and/or sump. Also include the other equipment you are, or will be, using in your tank, e.g. heater, lighting, etc..
I am still in the research phase for the aquarium lights, heaters, and the type of media I want to use. I have found some items on Amazon for Fluval that I like, but haven't narrowed it down to what I will need and what would be proper for this type of fish. I do plan like I stated earlier to build my own 40G sump.
7) If the tank is already setup and running, include the water parameters;
Tank is not set up yet. Will be using my tap.
8) Describe your current or planned stocking levels; number/size of discus and number/type of dither fish. Where did you get your discus from or do you have a proposed source for getting your discus?.
Planning to have 6 to 7 Discus 4inches in size. I will be purchasing all 6/7 from Kenny around January. I do plan on having tank mates with the Discus but have not chosen breeds just yet.
9) Describe your planned or existing feeding regimen. Include what and how often you are feeding on a daily basis.
I am really interested in the type of food that stick right to the side of the tank that I have seen in YT videos. Haven't exactly figured out what type of food it is just yet but if you know and are reading this please please let me know. I was reading a few threads on here about someone named Al that sells premium Discus food, so I may give him a go. I plan to feed 2/day probably beef heart and black worms if I can't figure out what the other food is. I also wrote down a great recipe form king of DIY for Discus I would like to try as well.
10) What are your goals in this hobby? For example are you looking to keep discus in a planted community tank, or do you hope to become a hobby breeder of Discus? Do you want to raise Discus with the hopes of competing in shows?
LOL is it greedy if I answer yes to all these questions! Eventually I would like to put them in a planted community tank but I am in no rush. I would like to become a hobby breeder, I know it will take a lot of work and time that I am ready to invest. Also in the near future I think it would be great to compete in shows, it would mean I could meet other hobbyist, share experiences and our mutual love for Discus. That would be incredibly fun, of course I would need to get a couple years experience under my belt but I can dream.