BR1AN
08-21-2014, 08:27 AM
Hi, this is my first post on the forum, and I am new to discus. Some background information on me. I have had a mixed community tank (15 Tall) for 2 years. It is pretty basic, but it is doing great. I decided to get a new tank a few months ago. I bought a 29 Gallon and set it up as a planted tank. I spent a lot of time planning an setting it up, I have a Fluvial 206 canister filter on it. While researching dirted tanks, I ran into some videos with Discus and fell in love. After cycling the new tank, I went to the local pet store to get some fish. Randomly the owner mentioned Discus and talked me into getting a pair of juveniles (2.5-3") . I feel like I was taken by a used car salesman, I was so excited at the time I bought them, but I knew that I really should have had a bigger tank and more discus (I am not going back to that store anymore). I would get a new tank right now if my fiance would let me. I really like them so I do not want to return or sell them so I have a few questions but before I get into that lets talk about some stats.
My water out of the tap has a Ph of 7.6 my tank has a Ph of 7.8, I know it is high but they seem to have acclimated to it fine.
Ammonia - 0ppp
Nitrites - 0ppm
Nitrates - 0ppm
I am not sure how hard the water is.
The water temperature is 84 F
I have six rummy nose tetra, two cory cats, and the two turquoise discus.
Currently I am doing 30% water changes twice a week, but I monitor Ammonia on a daily basics and I can adjust as necessary. (I treat the new water with Prime)
I have one heater, that is new, but I plan to get a second soon so I have a back up.
Again I am using a canister filter, a Fluval 206, which is good for a 45 gallon aquarium.
Currently I am feeding them Brine Shrimp and Blood worms, but I just order Colbolt Discus Pellets which I want to train them on as their main diet, with other food as treats.
I have a planted tank, with a dirt substrate and a sand cap. If you are not familiar with a dirted tank you should be they are awesome. The plants are still growing in, but they are doing good, despite the high temperatures. I think the dirt/sand/plant mix is really helping to keep my Nitrates as low as they are.
Okay so now for my questions.
1) Eventually I will get a new bigger tank for these guys, either a 55 or a 75. If I bought two more 3-4" juveniles (from a reputable dealer such as Discus Hans) how long would it be before the out grew the 29 gallon tank? Will the discus be happy with 4 or do I really need 6? If I need 6, then how long before they grow out of the tank?
2) They do have their stress bars showing, sometime more pronounced than others. I am thinking that it is because there are not enough of them, but I have also read that young discus show them frequently. Is that true?
3) One of the fish is always upright, the other leans to the side every once and a while for a few seconds. Is that normal?
4) Should I do more water changes even though the parameters are pretty much perfect?
5) I still have the activated carbon in my filter, I have heard that it is not good for discus. Is that true? Why is it not good for the discus? Would you recommend replacing it with anything else?
6) I have had them for a week so far, they are eating, but not as well as I would hope. They just pick at the Brine Shrimp off of the ground and I have not seen them eat a blood worm. Is that a problem, or will it get better with time?
Again, I know that I might not be starting out in the perfect way, but I have been doing a lot of research, and I feel that I can make this work. I like my tanks to be beautiful, so I am not afraid of maintenance and water changes. I want to make the most of the situation, and above all else, I want my fish to be happy and healthy. I am looking for some help finding solutions, thanks in advance.
Brian
My water out of the tap has a Ph of 7.6 my tank has a Ph of 7.8, I know it is high but they seem to have acclimated to it fine.
Ammonia - 0ppp
Nitrites - 0ppm
Nitrates - 0ppm
I am not sure how hard the water is.
The water temperature is 84 F
I have six rummy nose tetra, two cory cats, and the two turquoise discus.
Currently I am doing 30% water changes twice a week, but I monitor Ammonia on a daily basics and I can adjust as necessary. (I treat the new water with Prime)
I have one heater, that is new, but I plan to get a second soon so I have a back up.
Again I am using a canister filter, a Fluval 206, which is good for a 45 gallon aquarium.
Currently I am feeding them Brine Shrimp and Blood worms, but I just order Colbolt Discus Pellets which I want to train them on as their main diet, with other food as treats.
I have a planted tank, with a dirt substrate and a sand cap. If you are not familiar with a dirted tank you should be they are awesome. The plants are still growing in, but they are doing good, despite the high temperatures. I think the dirt/sand/plant mix is really helping to keep my Nitrates as low as they are.
Okay so now for my questions.
1) Eventually I will get a new bigger tank for these guys, either a 55 or a 75. If I bought two more 3-4" juveniles (from a reputable dealer such as Discus Hans) how long would it be before the out grew the 29 gallon tank? Will the discus be happy with 4 or do I really need 6? If I need 6, then how long before they grow out of the tank?
2) They do have their stress bars showing, sometime more pronounced than others. I am thinking that it is because there are not enough of them, but I have also read that young discus show them frequently. Is that true?
3) One of the fish is always upright, the other leans to the side every once and a while for a few seconds. Is that normal?
4) Should I do more water changes even though the parameters are pretty much perfect?
5) I still have the activated carbon in my filter, I have heard that it is not good for discus. Is that true? Why is it not good for the discus? Would you recommend replacing it with anything else?
6) I have had them for a week so far, they are eating, but not as well as I would hope. They just pick at the Brine Shrimp off of the ground and I have not seen them eat a blood worm. Is that a problem, or will it get better with time?
Again, I know that I might not be starting out in the perfect way, but I have been doing a lot of research, and I feel that I can make this work. I like my tanks to be beautiful, so I am not afraid of maintenance and water changes. I want to make the most of the situation, and above all else, I want my fish to be happy and healthy. I am looking for some help finding solutions, thanks in advance.
Brian