lazyreefer
03-24-2008, 05:06 PM
Hi Guys, (yay first post)
I am about to turn my 180G reef to a bare bottom discus tank. I tried discus way before internet was around (when I waS a wee little lad) and failed miserably. A reef bug bit me hard after college and after 8 years it's time for me to move on. so One day while thinking about what to do about the reef tank I came across a picture on the web of a Takashi Amano planted discus tank and I was taken away. I was planning to start a planted tank right from the start but in order to get a nice size discus for a planted tank it would have cost arm and a leg. So I decided to start a BB discus tank and grow out small juveniles to nice adult size and eventually move them to a planted tank.
So after some research I have the following questions:
1. I should shoot for 10-15 gallons per adult discus - how may juvis (2"-3") should I get 8~12?
2. Would it be ok with 50% water change every other day if I only get 8 juvis in a 180?
3. I know for Juvies you need to feed 5-6 times a day but would it be ok to feed in the morning, and use a auto feeder two times during the day and feed 1-2 times in the evening?
4. As discus grows do you feed less times during the day or do you keep the same schedule?
5. I have a 40W UV from my reef tank. Do you guys think I should use it on the discus tank?
6. What other fish should I put in the BB tank? I would like to keep a cleaner type fish in there but with temp being 84~86 what would be a good choice?
7. do you guys see a problem with a open top tank? I don't think discus are jumpers but would it make sense to put in a glass top? would it limit gas exchange too much?
8. planning to use a HOB filter with some sponge filters. any suggestions on the HOB filter?
Thanks for your input.
I am about to turn my 180G reef to a bare bottom discus tank. I tried discus way before internet was around (when I waS a wee little lad) and failed miserably. A reef bug bit me hard after college and after 8 years it's time for me to move on. so One day while thinking about what to do about the reef tank I came across a picture on the web of a Takashi Amano planted discus tank and I was taken away. I was planning to start a planted tank right from the start but in order to get a nice size discus for a planted tank it would have cost arm and a leg. So I decided to start a BB discus tank and grow out small juveniles to nice adult size and eventually move them to a planted tank.
So after some research I have the following questions:
1. I should shoot for 10-15 gallons per adult discus - how may juvis (2"-3") should I get 8~12?
2. Would it be ok with 50% water change every other day if I only get 8 juvis in a 180?
3. I know for Juvies you need to feed 5-6 times a day but would it be ok to feed in the morning, and use a auto feeder two times during the day and feed 1-2 times in the evening?
4. As discus grows do you feed less times during the day or do you keep the same schedule?
5. I have a 40W UV from my reef tank. Do you guys think I should use it on the discus tank?
6. What other fish should I put in the BB tank? I would like to keep a cleaner type fish in there but with temp being 84~86 what would be a good choice?
7. do you guys see a problem with a open top tank? I don't think discus are jumpers but would it make sense to put in a glass top? would it limit gas exchange too much?
8. planning to use a HOB filter with some sponge filters. any suggestions on the HOB filter?
Thanks for your input.