Good point, Eddie - and thanks. One of the reasons I am pursuing this is that it is not often done. I am confident in my ability to keep up with the maintenance needs of a tank like this, as my regular maintenance regime is more stringent even than Richard's - though my experience with discus pales a bit in comparison. The variables between the two setups may hinge upon local water quality - which is something I will certainly have to find out from Richard.
And hey, Judy! Post a pic! I'd love to see anything that can help me on my way. Few things in my mind rival the sight of a planted tank with discus.
Eddie - you mention foods. I know a lot of discus keepers feed homemade mixes of beef heart, shrimp, vitamins, and veggies. I understand the beef heart as a high protein source for growing juvies, but beyond that, what are the benefits vs say bloodworms and commercial frozen discus mix? (specifically the SF Bay brand - it's what I currently use for my angels, Rams, and rasboras) Can one still get good growth from juvies on this diet, given the same frequency of feeding/wc/etc?
I feel like I'm at a private seminar, here...
Thanks, all!