New member from California

[jmwr]

Hello everyone! New member here from the Bay Area.

Thought I'd introduce myself as I've been furiously reading everything I can on here. I grew up keeping fish and continued into adulthood, mainly raising gouramis and various Apistogramma species. Things went a bit sideways for me for a good 10 years and I drifted away from the hobby. Things are now back on track for me and I've decided to get back in the saddle and try my hand at raising some discus.

To that end, I've purchased a 75 gallon aquarium for this project. As far as equipment goes, I've got an AquaClear 110 HOB and a giant sponge filter on the way, along with some DrTim's nitrifying bacteria and ammonia solution and the usual heaters (Eheim Jager 300W) and miscellaneous other bits and bobs. Also picked up some test kits for the cycling process.

I intend to do a fishless cycle over the next however-many weeks as I continue researching my new animals. I have looked up all the breeders I could find, and have landed on getting a mix of Stendkers from Discus Hans. Not sure what size to get - the smaller sizes (2.5-3") are tempting both from a price perspective and for the experience of raising them myself. I do worry about inflicting my lack of discus skills on younger fish. I am thinking 50% daily WC's while they grow out? I've read some conflicting ideas on that front.

I have learned a lot already from reading all the posts I can on here, and am grateful to those here who're sharing their years of experience. Looking forward to joining all of you!

[Willie]

If you're getting the smaller sizes, then daily, large water changes (http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?137929-Back-to-Basics) are highly recommended.

[jeep]

Welcome to the forum!! And don't worry about your discus keeping skills... That's why this forum exists!!

Your water change idea is an excellent one. Very small discus need time to develop a strong immune system and the best way is through clean water and a good diet...

In addition to Willie's thread, here's another you may want to check out. It's from a contest we had a couple of years ago...
http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?133622-Brian-s-2018-grow-out-challenge

And as far as sellers go, you may want to check out our sponsor section. All excellent sellers!!
http://forum.simplydiscus.com/forumdisplay.php?42-SimplyDiscus-Sponsors

[Shan_Evolved]

I like everything I hear my dude. You got this.

[Willie]

...I've got an AquaClear 110 HOB and a giant sponge filter on the way, along with some DrTim's nitrifying bacteria and ammonia solution and the usual heaters (Eheim Jager 300W) and miscellaneous other bits and bobs....I intend to do a fishless cycle over the next however-many weeks as I continue researching my new animals....

I think the point of DrTim's nitrifying bacteria is that doing a fishless cycle is no longer necessary. Dr. Tim Hovanec is speaking to the Minnesota Aquarium Society membership a week from tomorrow (August 5). The meeting (http://aquarium.mn/) is open to everyone, but you'll have to pre-register. We'll have a Q&A session after his presentation so you can pose questions directly. Note that all times shown are Central.

[Iminit]

Sounds good! My recommendation is get another smaller tank 30+ gal for a qt tank. Next and may not be approved but :). There a few sellers in Cali. One that does sell smaller discus is uncle sams. But this place is better to go to than have delivered. When there you can pick your fish.

[Iminit]

As to cycling the tank. If your going with 2.5” discus you will have to do 50+% daily water changes so cycling doesn’t matter. Your changing that much water.

[CliffsDiscus]

Long time Discus keepers usually would buy fry off the back of breeding pairs because they are much cheaper also they have the experience they can
bring the size up much faster, but for first time buyers it best to buy the largest you can afford.

I don't cycle my Discus tanks just a lot of waterchanges some tanks get up too 300% for the fry tanks, but for my clients I use API Quick Start.

There was someone around the San Jose Area selling someone selling Stendker Discus on Craigslist a few months ago.

Cliff

[jmwr]

If you're getting the smaller sizes, then daily, large water changes (http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?137929-Back-to-Basics) are highly recommended.

Good to know - I will definitely follow your advice!

[jmwr]

I like everything I hear my dude. You got this.

Thank you Shan! Feeling more confident knowing I have you folk's collective wisdom to draw on.

[jmwr]

I think the point of DrTim's nitrifying bacteria is that doing a fishless cycle is no longer necessary. Dr. Tim Hovanec is speaking to the Minnesota Aquarium Society membership a week from tomorrow (August 5). The meeting (http://aquarium.mn/) is open to everyone, but you'll have to pre-register. We'll have a Q&A session after his presentation so you can pose questions directly. Note that all times shown are Central.

Interesting - I will see if I can make it! Appreciate the heads up.

[jmwr]

Sounds good! My recommendation is get another smaller tank 30+ gal for a qt tank. Next and may not be approved but :). There a few sellers in Cali. One that does sell smaller discus is uncle sams. But this place is better to go to than have delivered. When there you can pick your fish.

Another tank might be a hard sell given my current living situation, but I'll see what I can do. Current plan is to buy the whole shoal in one shot from one breeder.

[jmwr]

As to cycling the tank. If your going with 2.5” discus you will have to do 50+% daily water changes so cycling doesn’t matter. Your changing that much water.

That does make sense now that you mention it. I think my fixation on cycling the tank prior to ordering comes from a "belt and suspenders" mentality where I want to minimize the chances of me harming the fish.

[LizStreithorst]

Consider buying a sheet of what they call "egg crate" It's used to cover overhead fluorescent lights. You could move it as the fish seem over crowded and take it out totally when they are mostly grown.

[jmwr]

Sorry Willie, for some reason my replies didn't show up.


If you're getting the smaller sizes, then daily, large water changes (http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?137929-Back-to-Basics) are highly recommended.

Good to know!


I think the point of DrTim's nitrifying bacteria is that doing a fishless cycle is no longer necessary. Dr. Tim Hovanec is speaking to the Minnesota Aquarium Society membership a week from tomorrow (August 5). The meeting (http://aquarium.mn/) is open to everyone, but you'll have to pre-register. We'll have a Q&A session after his presentation so you can pose questions directly. Note that all times shown are Central.

This sounds really interesting - I'll see if I can attend. Appreciate the heads-up.

[jmwr]

Consider buying a sheet of what they call "egg crate" It's used to cover overhead fluorescent lights. You could move it as the fish seem over crowded and take it out totally when they are mostly grown.

Interesting - what is the purpose of doing so if they're the only residents of the new tank? Not sure I entirely understand.

[LizStreithorst]

I'm sorry. I misunderstood your predicament. My fault.