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Hardgraf
11-25-2018, 11:46 PM
Hi all

I have kept a marine nano tank and South American cichlids before. I have always wanted a discus aquarium but my living situation has not been suitable.

I am now living in Bangkok Thailand and have started planning my discus aquarium! I have been to several aquarium shops and discus shops/breeders here in Bangkok but have not yet purchased an aquarium.

I was particularly impressed with the fish at

https://www.facebook.com/KaKarDiscus

I will certainly have a few questions coming your way!

Thanks,
Tom

Paul Sabucchi
11-26-2018, 07:44 AM
Hi Tom, a warm welcome, nice to have you on board
Very interesting to have another member in Thailand. By all means ask all the questions that spring to mind, have you read all the stickies in the beginner section and watched the video? The fish on that sute look very nice, have you got any means of checking with local discus-keepers how reputable he might be? Purchasing good quality fish is of fundamental importance to the results you will get

Hardgraf
11-27-2018, 07:48 AM
Hi Tom, a warm welcome, nice to have you on board
Very interesting to have another member in Thailand. By all means ask all the questions that spring to mind, have you read all the stickies in the beginner section and watched the video? The fish on that sute look very nice, have you got any means of checking with local discus-keepers how reputable he might be? Purchasing good quality fish is of fundamental importance to the results you will get

Hi and thanks for your reply. That particular shop imports from Malaysia and has won several discus awards. They are located in JJ market. I looked at fish in several other Discus shops in the market and found the fish to not be of the same quality in general but also much cheaper!

I have also visited PY Discus in Sukumvhit which was great but I'm unsure as to whether a customer can choose & buy 6 fish directly from them?

Yes watched/read several beginner & how to guides.

I'm looking at a 65 gallon rimless tank, probably bare bottom with some potted Amazon Swords & sponge filter to house 6 3.5-4" bred discus & some cardinal tetras.

Thanks

Paul Sabucchi
11-27-2018, 08:07 AM
Sounds like a good plan. Have you read this other thread about discus in Bangkok? A lit of top breeders in Malaysia, you could try and contact the ones that have good looking fish of the strains you like and ask which Bangkok tetailers they supply

Hardgraf
10-23-2019, 07:23 AM
I deemed my living arrangements in Thailand unsuitable for an aquarium last year when I started this thread. Now more settled in long term accommodation. After visiting several tank builders & aquarium shops in Bangkok I have ordered my tank & waiting for it to be delivered.

125355

It's a 60 gallon with the pictured cabinet. I intend to keep things nice & simple. Bare bottom, 6-7 fish (3.5 - 4"). I am trying to secure an appointment with PY Discus Farm here in Bangkok to select some potential fish :)

I want to keep some cardinal tetras with the discus. I have read a tank cycle guide which suggests adding the tank mates first to establish a biological load then add the discus when the tank has matured a little? I am worried about risking contamination however as I would need to source the tank mates from a different source to the discus... I intend to try to secure some mature filter media/water from my chosen discus source to aid in cycling the tank.

danotaylor
10-23-2019, 08:50 AM
You can do a fishless cycle and then start with discus.

Hardgraf
11-15-2019, 02:46 AM
Hi all.

Ok after reading a lot regarding introducing the discus to the aquarium I have read a lot of contradictory information!

Some people advocating fishless cycling the tank by seeding with bacteria from another established tanks & then adding the discus when cycle complete whereas others saying that there should be zero risk of contamination therefore just introduce the discus straight away to the uncycled tank then perform large daily water changes & test for ammonia & nitrites.

I followed the advice of a discus specialist in the UK who advocated doing a fish in cycle with some hardy future tank mates then adding the discus. The idea being that keeping the tank mates alive for the duration of the cycling at least gives some confidence that once the discus are introduced that they too should be able to thrive.

I am worried that I have got myself into a potential risky situation as I have added some filter media from an established tank (I know that no fish have recently died or become sick in said tank but don't know the entire history of the tank) and I've added 20 cardinal tetras from a different source to the discus (currently seemingly happy & healthy). I am worried that I am risking cross-contamination & I should have just cycled the tank without contaminating from different sources & then added the discus once cycled.

Given the current situation which option do you advise?

A. Introducing the discus now (taking the risk of contamination) & performing daily large water changes & testing for ammonia & nitrate
B. Wait until the tank has finished cycling then add the discus
C. Remove the tetras, drain the tank, sterilise and start the cycle over again by adding some fish food & once cycle complete adding the discus
D. Remove the tetras, drain the tank, sterilise & add the discus straight away then perform daily large water changes & test the ammonia & nitrite
E. Non of the above

The discus are from a reputable breeder here in Bangkok and are around 4"
Thanks

Second Hand Pat
11-15-2019, 07:18 AM
Hi Thomas, the problem is if you add the discus to the tank with the tetras you instantly have a cross contamination issue. I would suggest placing the tetras and discus into separate tanks and quarantine them separately. Totally up to you on how you wish to handle uncycled tanks.
Pat

Mando
11-15-2019, 10:02 AM
Welcome on board! make sure to put a lid on those rimless tanks. I had a few jumpers who survived and I finally added a lid to avoid a possible death. The lid is unnoticeable.

Hardgraf
11-19-2019, 10:49 PM
Thanks, I am covering the tank with a towel at night when we go to bed and when I'm out during the day.

So despite making mistakes regarding introducing tank mates, not finishing cycling the tank etc. due to impatience the discus are in the tank.

So far so good and after 1 day they are starting to show an interest in food (pork heart). I work from home so can sit on the tank like a mother hen. I am testing for ammonia & nitrites at least twice per day. I plan on doing 50% water change every morning and then a quick syphon of waste & water top-up in the evening. So far the fish seem happy & healthy so fingers crossed.