Number of Discus

[neon]

I have a 55gal tank with 2 power filters and a 4bulb T5 light. Also a sand bottom and some drift wood but no plants yet. Anyway I have 21neon tetras. And someone gave me 1 discus I know that I need to get 5 more. Here is whats going on with the discus when the lights are on it hides but as soon I turn off the lights. It comes out and swim all over the tank. Also how many water changes should I be doing I was thinking every 2 weeks is this good if not them what is good. Any help would be great. :confused:

[mmorris]

You need five more. ;) Things will be cramped with your current set-up, however, so you will really need to keep on top of those wc's.

[KEWX]

Consider reducing the lights to between 40 and 60 watts.

[neon]

All the bulbs are 54watts

[neon]

Consider reducing the lights to between 40 and 60 watts. All the bulbs are 54 watts

[bs6749]

The amount of water changes you should be doing depends on many things:

The number of discus (and other fish) in the tank.
The age and size of the discus in the tank.
The number and size of feedings.
The type of food fed.
et cetera,

If you are growing out juvenile fish that are between 2.5" and 4.5" for example, you will want to be doing at least 50% every other day with 5+ discus in a 55g tank. More frequent water changes and larger water changes will definitely be better for the health and growth of your discus. I would try to do 75% each day with a group of growouts.

[tdiscusman]

you've got "4bulb T5 light" and each bulb is 54W? that is too much light. You only need one 40Watt bulb for 55 gallons

HTH
Tony

[Eddie]

you've got "4bulb T5 light" and each bulb is 54W? that is too much light. You only need one 40Watt bulb for 55 gallons

HTH
Tony

Ditto, thats way to much power without plants....even with plants. LOL :D

[neon]

Ditto, thats way to much power without plants....even with plants. LOL :D

It has two switchs on the light so I do not have to have all 4 on I can just turn on two of four. Will this be ok and I can add some floating plants. If not what would be a good T5 light for my tank.

[underwaterforest]

Check your t5 fixture specs, a lot of the fixtures will allow you to run a lower watt bulb in them. They do make the 48" T5 in 28 watts. Your current wattage sure does sound good for a plant tank on the other hand, but you probably have some blind discus.:(

[bs6749]

Add some Amazon Frogbit to your tank. That will help to soak up nitrates and will provide ample shading as well since it is relatively fast growing.

Stay away from duckweed as it will take over your tank in no time and if you want to get rid of it, too bad. It's like herpes, the friend that stays with you for life! Seriously though, it's a pain to get rid of this plant. Go with frogbit! It'll look awesome.

[underwaterforest]

I agree with bs6749 plants are a nice options for lowering the light in the tank and they add cool shadows. I always thought the tiger lotus was a pretty plant but it's floating leaves drove me crazy. But for you it would be ideal for lowering the light and it had some pretty flowers to boot.

[Justice]

Unplug a bulb!

[neon]

Unplug a bulb!
Is this a good bulb which is a T5 10K 28w by coralife

[bs6749]

Yes, that's a good bulb for growing plants... or algae. If you don't have any plants and are using the amount of light that you have over your tank right now you will see lots of algae soon.

[overthetop2009]

I had two of those 54W bulbs on an established 90 Gal oscar tank (bought the wrong ones) and I was getting algae at greater levels than any other time since I bought this setup 3 years ago.

If your planting a 55 gal you'll be displacing at least 5-10 gals with substrate. At 2Watts per gallon 2 of those lights will surpase. I would keep only one of those bulbs on until you have established your plants. then switch to two and leave the other two as spares when you have to switch them 6-12 months from now.

[amunoz7]

....but you probably have some blind discus.:(

Can they actually go blind from too much light exposure?

[Eddie]

Can they actually go blind from too much light exposure?

LOL, no but they can be sensitive under extremely bright lighting.


Eddie

[DerekFF]

Discus come from black/stained water. There's not as much light filters into their natural water, so to have crystal clear water and the T5 "sun" 2 inches above the water is a definite unpleasant experience for the poor guys. Def dial it down/unplug/run half or get lower watt bulbs.