Jandiscus
04-20-2017, 11:06 AM
I just wanted to say how much I appreciate simplydiscus and all the great content that fellow discus lovers have created over time. Thank you Al and thanks to everyone who has shared their wisdom with us.
I had discus on and off throughout my life and had to abandon the hobby several times due to job related moves. It broke my heart every time! I jumped back in just a few weeks ago and am super excited to be surrounded by discus again.
My setup includes 2 separate 65gal tanks 18.4”L x 36.4”W x25”H, filtered by hang on back Marineland bio wheel filters. They are packed with nothing but bio-media. I am using pre-filter sponges on the inlets to keep the filters clean of debris. I have used these filters in the past and really like them. They are simple in nature and provide plenty of aeration as the water returns into the tank. Bare bottom with an artificial driftwood piece and 3-4 amazon swords/Java fern planted in whiskey glasses. While the deco and the plants add a bit more work in keeping everything super clean, I do enjoy observing the fish display their behaviors around it.
Tank 1 is stocked with two 6” and three 3.5” discus.
Tank 2 is stocked with four 3.5-4” discus.
All of them came directly from the breeder and are healthy and happy. I might add a few more to bring the total count up to 5-6 fish per tank.
I have three 44gal Rubermade Brute containers to stage, age and heat up my water for water changes. I am using a 50:50 blend of tap (+ dechlorinator) and r/o water. My blended water parameters are: Ph 7.4, temp is 82F, KH/GH approx. 100ppm. No other chemicals are being introduced. I am performing daily water changes of approximately 80% and I am feeding a blend of high protein frozen and dry foods 3-4 times a day. All they can eat within a few minutes that is.
The tanks and the equipment is brand new and the filters are cycled with the fish in the tanks. NH3 is between 0 after the water change and max 0.25 before the water change. Nitrite and Nitrate are still zero. With 2 weeks into it, I would expect them to be fully cycled within the next 4 weeks. Given the daily water changes, I am not concerned about the cycle (in the past I would have been obsessed by it :blushing:).
So, why am I sharing all this? Of course because I am excited to be back in business again but more importantly because the great expertise that resides here on simplydiscus helped me to avoid making my old mistakes over and over again.
In the past I would have used all kinds of chemicals to manage my ever fluctuating ph levels. I would have overstocked my tanks by maybe 1 or 2 too many fish. I would have avoided using tap water. I would have kept my temperature higher than necessary and I would have had too few water changes. I would also not have used temperature regulators. So again, thanks for allowing me capitalize on your experience and for getting it a bit closer to right this time around.
Greetings from Michigan,
JC
I had discus on and off throughout my life and had to abandon the hobby several times due to job related moves. It broke my heart every time! I jumped back in just a few weeks ago and am super excited to be surrounded by discus again.
My setup includes 2 separate 65gal tanks 18.4”L x 36.4”W x25”H, filtered by hang on back Marineland bio wheel filters. They are packed with nothing but bio-media. I am using pre-filter sponges on the inlets to keep the filters clean of debris. I have used these filters in the past and really like them. They are simple in nature and provide plenty of aeration as the water returns into the tank. Bare bottom with an artificial driftwood piece and 3-4 amazon swords/Java fern planted in whiskey glasses. While the deco and the plants add a bit more work in keeping everything super clean, I do enjoy observing the fish display their behaviors around it.
Tank 1 is stocked with two 6” and three 3.5” discus.
Tank 2 is stocked with four 3.5-4” discus.
All of them came directly from the breeder and are healthy and happy. I might add a few more to bring the total count up to 5-6 fish per tank.
I have three 44gal Rubermade Brute containers to stage, age and heat up my water for water changes. I am using a 50:50 blend of tap (+ dechlorinator) and r/o water. My blended water parameters are: Ph 7.4, temp is 82F, KH/GH approx. 100ppm. No other chemicals are being introduced. I am performing daily water changes of approximately 80% and I am feeding a blend of high protein frozen and dry foods 3-4 times a day. All they can eat within a few minutes that is.
The tanks and the equipment is brand new and the filters are cycled with the fish in the tanks. NH3 is between 0 after the water change and max 0.25 before the water change. Nitrite and Nitrate are still zero. With 2 weeks into it, I would expect them to be fully cycled within the next 4 weeks. Given the daily water changes, I am not concerned about the cycle (in the past I would have been obsessed by it :blushing:).
So, why am I sharing all this? Of course because I am excited to be back in business again but more importantly because the great expertise that resides here on simplydiscus helped me to avoid making my old mistakes over and over again.
In the past I would have used all kinds of chemicals to manage my ever fluctuating ph levels. I would have overstocked my tanks by maybe 1 or 2 too many fish. I would have avoided using tap water. I would have kept my temperature higher than necessary and I would have had too few water changes. I would also not have used temperature regulators. So again, thanks for allowing me capitalize on your experience and for getting it a bit closer to right this time around.
Greetings from Michigan,
JC