My Forrest growout

[discus rookie]

Hi,
I picked up 6 Forrest discus (giant blue and blue diamond) on 23rd Dec, 2013.
They were at 2.5"-3"
I also placed a few samller discus from a local breeder and they were 1.5-2".
I kept them in a 55 gallon with some sand, driftwood and a XP3 for a little while, feeding FDBW, Omega One flakes, and one meal of beefheart.
This is what they looked like:
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5499/11521074826_52297281ff.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7359/11521083503_2909994768.jpg
About 2 weeks later,
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3759/11883055003_7bf6a4d20a.jpg
Then I removed all wood, XP3 sand and so on and turned it into a barebottom tank with sponge filter.
This is them after 30 days.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3799/12181872315_e47b37c879.jpg
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3790/12181870055_4b711d9d38.jpg
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5545/12182281714_d7d2e94f28.jpg
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3673/12182501796_62b83bb9dd.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7299/12182110513_f1ecce2475.jpg
This is almost 2 months later,
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2823/12510219625_12c129aa35.jpg
Feb 23rd,
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2852/12706905365_afbdb7faf3.jpg

[discus rookie]

2 days later, I removed all the dither fish (torpedo barbs) and they acted very shy.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5514/12785808874_310bd2a98d.jpg
On Feb 28th,
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3783/12840258055_e6e459cb34.jpg
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2877/12840681484_c82256cc23.jpg
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2866/12842465414_f6dcf15fdc.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3700/12842051175_23ebc664cb.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7320/12842126123_16647336bc.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7424/12842472694_b6765336dc.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7308/12842475184_d691e4963b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7337/12842477064_40deb524de.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7349/12842063275_af00a990be.jpg
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3702/12842135963_594ddd7277.jpg
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3714/12842136863_7dd8ee214c.jpg
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3723/12842137423_107b0ba923.jpg
20th March,
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3685/13185238373_29fcf56dd4.jpg
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3743/13185404754_d15459f52b.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7064/13185229913_73da3b56c0.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7444/13185106925_f38bf18bb8.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7077/13185183633_25ff83e529.jpg
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3695/13185345764_0953c19bac.jpg
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3687/13185035515_01f8478a54.jpg
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3757/13185032245_e4b2b7002d.jpg
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3767/13185142823_15254c9412.jpg
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2103/13185026985_8ee2c4c73d.jpg
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3829/13185023735_2a35146af1.jpg
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3777/13185018625_a419daa0c8.jpg
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3819/13185125003_4f81127aee.jpg

[discus rookie]

April 1st,
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2893/13553877185_92f00f1540.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7083/13553876535_51d6862968.jpg
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3687/13554214914_4249d16169.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7337/13554214004_8a1b623f3c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7071/13553990763_53886c0d74.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7152/13553988363_7ef7906b3f.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7322/13553864025_6c373feed3.jpg
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2820/13554201574_49255867a1.jpg
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2837/13553977903_cf68fc6066.jpg
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3710/13553857615_3b7455d60a.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7378/13553849105_ea49005017.jpg
They are definitely slowing down on their growth and not eating even half as much as before. As you can see their bellies are not as thick as before. It is weird to see them everyday and do not seem to feel that they are growing at all at this point.
Will keep update as they grow (or not LOL).
My regime is 100% water change twice a day, no biofiltration, straight from tap, prime, with calcium chloride + magnessium sulphate added. pH 6.8, gH 4, temp 30 degree.
Food is just beefheart (2-3 times a day before water change) and some Hiakri frozen bloodworm and some Omega freeze dried plankton as snacks.
I am planning on putting a sponge filters inside to cycle in the tank as I reduce my water change to only 100% once a day eventually as they are around 5" now. Will start doing it in the next few days.

[rickztahone]

those are some super round discus you have there. Some are too "standing egg" for me, but the majority of them, I like the HB. Thanks for sharing.

[Nick Klimkowski]

Very nice work, I am sure the 100% water changes twice a day have really helped with growing them out that quickly.
They look great.:D

[musicmarn1]

Well done indeed !! super amazing job there, there are some beautiful fish in that group , really admire your care and dedication !

[fattubwhale]

Nice Job and a good looking group!

[discus rookie]

Thank you. Without any filter/bio-filtration I had to do two water changes a day or else my parameter would go off the roof. Luckily I have not had any sickness so far (touch wood). I have placed 2 sponge filters inside and will be trying to seed the filters in the next few weeks with twice a day 100% water change (add prime). Once the cycle is complete I will go to 100% once a day.
They have lost their appetite but they are still eating so I am going to just observe them and keep giving them clean water for now.
Will post some pictures/measurement the end of the month.
Thanks a lot for all the encouragement and feedback.

[discus rookie]

April 16
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a511/richard_chan1/My%20discus%20grow%20out/DSC_5249_zpsd89697c2.jpg
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a511/richard_chan1/My%20discus%20grow%20out/DSC_5269_zps9b9a81d6.jpg
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a511/richard_chan1/My%20discus%20grow%20out/DSC_5267_zps6d688c31.jpg
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a511/richard_chan1/My%20discus%20grow%20out/DSC_5261_zpsfeae4840.jpg
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a511/richard_chan1/My%20discus%20grow%20out/DSC_5258_zpse2fab6b0.jpg
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a511/richard_chan1/My%20discus%20grow%20out/DSC_5265_zps48244023.jpg
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a511/richard_chan1/My%20discus%20grow%20out/DSC_5254_zps159ba220.jpg
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a511/richard_chan1/My%20discus%20grow%20out/DSC_5256_zps1296582f.jpg
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a511/richard_chan1/My%20discus%20grow%20out/DSC_5249_zpsd89697c2.jpg

[Nick Klimkowski]

You are doing a fun-amiable job growing them out, you so not need to call yourself a rookie any more.

[discus rookie]

Thanks Nick but honestly I am not really good. Every day is a learning curve for me for sure.

[brady]

They are good looking fish. But, it looks like you have 11 fish in a 55 which seems like way too much for a tank that size, and when you show the pics measuring them it seems the tape is set at a starting point 1 or 1 and 1/4 for some. What are there actual sizes?

[Nick Klimkowski]

They are good looking fish. But, it looks like you have 11 fish in a 55 which seems like way too much for a tank that size, and when you show the pics measuring them it seems the tape is set at a starting point 1 or 1 and 1/4 for some. What are there actual sizes?

Based on the measurements it looks like they are between 4-5in. I would normally say that is way to many fish for a 55, but they seem to be doing great in there for you. It may not be a bad idea to start look into a bit larger tank however.:)

[discus rookie]

They are good looking fish. But, it looks like you have 11 fish in a 55 which seems like way too much for a tank that size, and when you show the pics measuring them it seems the tape is set at a starting point 1 or 1 and 1/4 for some. What are there actual sizes?

If you minus the readings on the tape measure, the measurements are 4"-5.5". I have 9 discus inside. I removed 2 but then they ate less, I think they like to be a bit crowded at least for now. This is just a growout tank.

[kkdiscus]

So blue now!

[discus rookie]

I had a little set back. After I gave them more room they really lost their appetite. I gave them a pp dip, parizopro and wormer treatment to rule out worm/parasite and then I tried to crowd the tank up with wood and so on but did not work. They were not competing for food they way they used to when the tank was more crowded. They had never been sick or had any problem until I started to try and give them more room to grow. In the last few weeks they had pretty much stopped eating.
Anyway, it has been almost a month and now they are starting to slowly eat again. Not attacking food like they used to but at least they are eating again. 5 gallon per fish was working much better for this guys.
This video was taken before their morning water change. I am still changing 100% twice a day. I have added bio filtration now, did not have any before.

http://youtu.be/NUds54cBp94

[trungnguyen]

IMO, when we change things around the tank, discus need time to adjust to new surroundings. You have been doing a good job as giving them the best you can. Water change is the key, and you have been doing that double times than us here. When discus grow out at 5" (early adult stage), they start growing slow and eat less comparing when they are small or juvenile. That's just normal. Just give them time and give yourself time too. No need to rush when raise and keep discus. It's a hobby, and it should make you relax, not worry or stress out. I hope this help, and I really enjoy your thread.

[judijetson]

Just throwing this out there....have you ever tried feeding cones with fdbw? I noticed your fish picking food off the sponges instead of eating off the tank bottom. I have one fish in particular that refuses to eat pellets and flakes off the bottom but will eat from a feeding cone.

Sent from my Galaxy Note 3

[discus rookie]

Thanks everyone. It is just that they have never really had any real issue and then they slowed down at around 5", which I understand...then I removed some discus and they pretty stopped eating for what felt like forever. I am glad they are slowly getting their appetite back. Yes, I agree I need to learn to relax a bit and just give them some time. LOL.
They did not really have any sponge before and they would eat off the floor, I am not sure why they are eating off the sponge. I also feed them Australian freeze dried blackworm but I just stick that to the glass or drop it and let it float. I will look into the feeding cone idea. Thanks.

[BODYDUB]

Discus tend to slow down on their growth when the reach 5". But dude, you've got some nice looking fish there............

[Crunchy]

wow for next time, take it easy on the medications when something is amiss, especially PP dip.

[discus rookie]

Here is a video of them. They have their appetite back again.
I think it was because my temp as too high and I left the light on 24/7, plus I removed some of their "buddies" so all these might have stressed them.
Now my temp is 84, water change 50% twice a day (will change to once a day soon).
Feeding Australian fdbw, and flakes (ocean nutrient formula one and prime reef plus cobalt marine vegi). No more beefheart or seafood mix.
Rena Xp3, with a pre-filter, serviced once a week.
it has been 7 months, the biggest one is about 6" now.

http://youtu.be/BGqb7W4BgXo

[ujwaldignified]

Hey superb growing out. Any updates?

[discus rookie]

Hi,
Nothing much has happened.
Here are a couple pictures.
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a511/richard_chan1/10352739_744871625556224_5346137754727940425_n_zps e553831f.jpg

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a511/richard_chan1/10509550_744871502222903_5990694946534261508_n_zps 66314704.jpg

[koko]

Hi,
Nothing much has happened.
Here are a couple pictures.
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a511/richard_chan1/10352739_744871625556224_5346137754727940425_n_zps e553831f.jpg

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a511/richard_chan1/10509550_744871502222903_5990694946534261508_n_zps 66314704.jpg

Nice looking fish, How big are they now. what happen to all your snake skin?

[koko]

Hi,
Nothing much has happened.
Here are a couple pictures.
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a511/richard_chan1/10352739_744871625556224_5346137754727940425_n_zps e553831f.jpg

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a511/richard_chan1/10509550_744871502222903_5990694946534261508_n_zps 66314704.jpg

Nice looking fish, how big are they now/ What happen to all your snake skin?

[rickztahone]

Nothing much has happend?!? Those guys are huge! Great job growing them out. This goes to show that you CAN raise great looking discus with a sand bed. You probably didn't make it easier on yourself, but you were successful. TFS

[seanyuki]

Great looking discus and nice setup too.

[discus rookie]

Thanks for the encouragement everyone, it is a great opportunity for me to learn how to take care of this wonderful fish. I think lots of water changes is really the key.
I took one out to measure tonight and it was about 15-16cm. I have a blue diamond with a bull dog shape who just keeps getting taller but not longer, it is kind of strange. He is definitely shorter. LOL
I will keep trying to grow them, hopefully they will get bigger. It is almost 8 months now since I got them on 23rd Dec, 2013.
Thanks again everyone. Appreciate it.

[keno]

SUPER job, I like them.

[pastry]

Very very nice. About how big are they now? (sorry if you already said it... I skimmed... please forgive my A.D.D.)

[discus rookie]

Thanks a lot for following my thread. I got them on 23rd Dec 2013 at 2.5", it is about 8 months now.

[rickztahone]

Thanks for the encouragement everyone, it is a great opportunity for me to learn how to take care of this wonderful fish. I think lots of water changes is really the key.
I took one out to measure tonight and it was about 15-16cm. I have a blue diamond with a bull dog shape who just keeps getting taller but not longer, it is kind of strange. He is definitely shorter. LOL
I will keep trying to grow them, hopefully they will get bigger. It is almost 8 months now since I got them on 23rd Dec, 2013.
Thanks again everyone. Appreciate it.




Very very nice. About how big are they now? (sorry if you already said it... I skimmed... please forgive my A.D.D.)

15-16cm, roughly about 6"