Sedge
05-28-2013, 02:56 PM
Hi all, I'm a newbie on here.
I'm not exactly new to fish keeping, I've probably been doing it for about ten years on and off and kept both marine and tropical although not to the level of you guys on here :-s - just more hardy species really, Angels, Gourami that sort of thing, although I did keep seahorses for a number of years which can be tricky!
I'm looking to dip my toe in the world of Discus having fallen in love with them from an early age.
Unfortunately I live in a small terraced house and thus i'm limited for space, not ideal I know! - in the past i've kept mostly nano set-ups or tanks around the 100ltr size.
Here's the run down on my current new set-up.......
Recently i've treated myself to a brand new Trigon 190 in dark wood which is probably the biggest tank I can fit comfortably in my living room. I've followed all the usual checkpoints (i.e out of direct sunlight, away from radiators, in a nice quiet corner).
The tank is lit by 2 x T5's with added reflectors to ensure the light gets all the way to the bottom of the tank.
I've taken out the bulky (and quite frankly, pants) internal Juwel filter and replaced it with an Eden external filter which is turning over 1000ltr per hour via a modified spray bar to brake up the flow - this filter is recommended for tanks upto 300ltrs.
The background is plain black and the substrate is a Tetra Complete Substrate base with black gravel on top (I like my tanks to look dark) with patches of blac sand at the very front of the tank.
Into this I have several large pieces of bogwood and LOTS of plants to give cover, brake up the flow and provide hiding places. I have also placed floating plants to provide some shade in places too.
I've added a few fish from my old tank to get this tank going - 3 x hatchets 2 x Red Platys and a breeding pair of striped angels - 7 fish in total.
I know the tank is still in it's early stages (1 month old) and is still in it's initial stages but i'm planning to add some more fish in about 2 months time - probably 3 Corys (Sterbai, Adolfi, Green Laser) after the bacteria has built up and the ammonia and nitrites are more under control. My PH is currently around 6.5 and my temp is currently 28 deg.
What I need advice on is the Discus, which is why I have come to you guys. I don't plan to add any for at least another 4 month or so but I would LOVE a pair of checkerboards, I think they would look superb against my dark background and black substrate!
I know discus do better in a group but I have seen a few adult pairs in my LFS which i'm told have really settled down as 2 of's.
Is this possible to add to my tank or am I asking for trouble???? Can the Discus be kept along the angels or would these be better removed?
Any help is greatly appreciated!
I can load up a picture if it helps?
Many Many Thanks
Neil
I'm not exactly new to fish keeping, I've probably been doing it for about ten years on and off and kept both marine and tropical although not to the level of you guys on here :-s - just more hardy species really, Angels, Gourami that sort of thing, although I did keep seahorses for a number of years which can be tricky!
I'm looking to dip my toe in the world of Discus having fallen in love with them from an early age.
Unfortunately I live in a small terraced house and thus i'm limited for space, not ideal I know! - in the past i've kept mostly nano set-ups or tanks around the 100ltr size.
Here's the run down on my current new set-up.......
Recently i've treated myself to a brand new Trigon 190 in dark wood which is probably the biggest tank I can fit comfortably in my living room. I've followed all the usual checkpoints (i.e out of direct sunlight, away from radiators, in a nice quiet corner).
The tank is lit by 2 x T5's with added reflectors to ensure the light gets all the way to the bottom of the tank.
I've taken out the bulky (and quite frankly, pants) internal Juwel filter and replaced it with an Eden external filter which is turning over 1000ltr per hour via a modified spray bar to brake up the flow - this filter is recommended for tanks upto 300ltrs.
The background is plain black and the substrate is a Tetra Complete Substrate base with black gravel on top (I like my tanks to look dark) with patches of blac sand at the very front of the tank.
Into this I have several large pieces of bogwood and LOTS of plants to give cover, brake up the flow and provide hiding places. I have also placed floating plants to provide some shade in places too.
I've added a few fish from my old tank to get this tank going - 3 x hatchets 2 x Red Platys and a breeding pair of striped angels - 7 fish in total.
I know the tank is still in it's early stages (1 month old) and is still in it's initial stages but i'm planning to add some more fish in about 2 months time - probably 3 Corys (Sterbai, Adolfi, Green Laser) after the bacteria has built up and the ammonia and nitrites are more under control. My PH is currently around 6.5 and my temp is currently 28 deg.
What I need advice on is the Discus, which is why I have come to you guys. I don't plan to add any for at least another 4 month or so but I would LOVE a pair of checkerboards, I think they would look superb against my dark background and black substrate!
I know discus do better in a group but I have seen a few adult pairs in my LFS which i'm told have really settled down as 2 of's.
Is this possible to add to my tank or am I asking for trouble???? Can the Discus be kept along the angels or would these be better removed?
Any help is greatly appreciated!
I can load up a picture if it helps?
Many Many Thanks
Neil