DrPwn
07-10-2013, 04:36 AM
For starters, I've had multiple successful planted, freshwater tanks. Very familiar with basic research facts about discus. I've been reading the forum and website for a few hours and I have decided on what I would like to do from what I've learned. I've had previous interest with Discus before so I lot of light research has been done in the past, but I was always had the impression that they are the crown jewel of the freshwater world but the heavy upkeep is what makes them all the more special.
With that being said, I am trying to redo my 55g as a planted display tank in my new home. I just moved and have a nice dining room that I would love to have some discus in. I am beginning med school in a month so I want to go about it the expensive way in just outright adding adults to an established tank. I wanted to know if it would be feasible to have a pair of adult discuss added to an established community tank with compatible tankmates such as cories, nerite snails, amano shrimp, dwarf gouramis, german rams, probably another algae eater for maintenance reasons. and maybe some tetras. Obviously my plant selection will be a bit more limited as I plan to look at low-mid light plants that can tolerate 82-84F.
I want to start with adults since they can get by on 1-2 feedings a day and the lower bioload they provide so I can do 50-75% changes once a week if I have a good plant cover. Or if just 1 adult will allow this schedule. Planning on using sand substrate for the cories and easier cleanup in the front part of the tank. I would like to invest in an under cabinent refugium filter system to nearly eliminate water changes, but I have little to no experience besides research although I have a lot of plant experience. Realistically, I am thinking of a basic cannister and maybe one HOB filter that are specified for 50-80 gallon ranges. In all my years of planted tanks I have never had a tank have anything beyond very low nitrogen levels. As I tend to focus on the plants health and water quality rather than how many fish I have in the tank.
Any feedback would be great since I am starting to plan out the budgeting and timetable for the next 6 months if this is doable to make it happen.
With that being said, I am trying to redo my 55g as a planted display tank in my new home. I just moved and have a nice dining room that I would love to have some discus in. I am beginning med school in a month so I want to go about it the expensive way in just outright adding adults to an established tank. I wanted to know if it would be feasible to have a pair of adult discuss added to an established community tank with compatible tankmates such as cories, nerite snails, amano shrimp, dwarf gouramis, german rams, probably another algae eater for maintenance reasons. and maybe some tetras. Obviously my plant selection will be a bit more limited as I plan to look at low-mid light plants that can tolerate 82-84F.
I want to start with adults since they can get by on 1-2 feedings a day and the lower bioload they provide so I can do 50-75% changes once a week if I have a good plant cover. Or if just 1 adult will allow this schedule. Planning on using sand substrate for the cories and easier cleanup in the front part of the tank. I would like to invest in an under cabinent refugium filter system to nearly eliminate water changes, but I have little to no experience besides research although I have a lot of plant experience. Realistically, I am thinking of a basic cannister and maybe one HOB filter that are specified for 50-80 gallon ranges. In all my years of planted tanks I have never had a tank have anything beyond very low nitrogen levels. As I tend to focus on the plants health and water quality rather than how many fish I have in the tank.
Any feedback would be great since I am starting to plan out the budgeting and timetable for the next 6 months if this is doable to make it happen.