MaryStephens
09-04-2017, 07:54 PM
Hello. I've been researching, reading & learning over the last 4 months about what it takes to keep discus. I've been slowly setting up my tanks and water change system, but have made some mistakes along the way. I'm sorry if this is lengthy, but I want to try to give as much information as I can.
I started off cycling a 55 gallon about 3/4 months ago, but my cycled stalled. I was doing a lot of trial and error on my water changing strategy, I think this is what caused my cycle to stall. I finally just got it restarted and it is in the process. I also just started cycling a 40 gallon breeder. I hope they will complete the cycle in the next couple of weeks. Any how, as I have continued to read and learn I decided I wanted to go with a bigger tank than the 55 gallon. (Mistake #1 - bought a tank too hastily). I want the discus I get to have the best start. So I was lucky enough to find a good deal on a 120 gallon this weekend. It will definitely be cleaned prior to use (I have some work cut out for me).
My plan for the 120 is BB with driftwood and to get 10 Stendker discus 4-5".
So, I currently have some tetras and cory cats in the 55 gallon, hopefully they will make it thru the cycling process (2nd mistake - I added fish too soon). When the cycle is finally complete in the 55, I plan on moving everything (fish, filter, etc.) over to the 120. My 1st question is how do I know that the 120 tank is safe for the discus? I've read about the QT process for a 6 week period and then adding one dither fish from main tank to QT tank to see if its safe. But I guess I'm dense... I still don't get how this will determine if the entire main tank is safe.
3rd mistake - For QT tank, I used the same hoses to add water to the QT as I did with the main tank. Question #2 - How big of a mistake did I make? Is there anything I can do to the QT tank aside from starting completely over with new sponge filter and hose system? I'm trying to avoid spending more $ for stupid mistakes I've made.
I'm trying to avoid any future mistakes, so any advice would be so appreciated. Thank you!!
I started off cycling a 55 gallon about 3/4 months ago, but my cycled stalled. I was doing a lot of trial and error on my water changing strategy, I think this is what caused my cycle to stall. I finally just got it restarted and it is in the process. I also just started cycling a 40 gallon breeder. I hope they will complete the cycle in the next couple of weeks. Any how, as I have continued to read and learn I decided I wanted to go with a bigger tank than the 55 gallon. (Mistake #1 - bought a tank too hastily). I want the discus I get to have the best start. So I was lucky enough to find a good deal on a 120 gallon this weekend. It will definitely be cleaned prior to use (I have some work cut out for me).
My plan for the 120 is BB with driftwood and to get 10 Stendker discus 4-5".
So, I currently have some tetras and cory cats in the 55 gallon, hopefully they will make it thru the cycling process (2nd mistake - I added fish too soon). When the cycle is finally complete in the 55, I plan on moving everything (fish, filter, etc.) over to the 120. My 1st question is how do I know that the 120 tank is safe for the discus? I've read about the QT process for a 6 week period and then adding one dither fish from main tank to QT tank to see if its safe. But I guess I'm dense... I still don't get how this will determine if the entire main tank is safe.
3rd mistake - For QT tank, I used the same hoses to add water to the QT as I did with the main tank. Question #2 - How big of a mistake did I make? Is there anything I can do to the QT tank aside from starting completely over with new sponge filter and hose system? I'm trying to avoid spending more $ for stupid mistakes I've made.
I'm trying to avoid any future mistakes, so any advice would be so appreciated. Thank you!!