New tank and discus

[DLFL]

I am going to try my hand at raising some discus. Not as a breeder but for my own pleasure. I will be using a 70 high tank for growing out the fry. When they are grown I plan on making it a planted discus display tank.
For now I am building the stand and getting the equipment together for the 70 gal tank. The tank is 36 inches long, 16 inches wide and 28 inches high. The stand will be only 26 inches high due to the tall tank and my short body!
I plan on using an Aqua Clear, 70 gal hanging filter and two air driven sponge filters. With daily water changes will this be enough filtration to grow out 7 or 8 fry?

Dick L.

[lazurux]

What size fry and yes it should be more than enough.

[DLFL]

I believe I would like 2 1/2 - 3 inch fry.

[Poco]

Dick,

Welcome to SD!

You might want to use two extensions for the ac70 to get it deep into the tank. I will also suggest to use a prefilter on the intake of ac70.

Personally I find 24 inches to be the maximum height for a tank as all five sides of the tank needs to be wiped and anymore height will make it difficult, unless of course you have long arms.

Good luck!

[DLFL]

I got the new filter yesterday and seeded it with my old filter media. It is running on my 30 gal. tank along with the one that was on it.

[DLFL]

The new tank is up and running. Seeded power filter and a mix of water from 30 gl tank and dechlorinated tap water. A rybunkin and a cory transferred to it from the smaller tank. The stand still has to be trimmed and finish applied. Two extensions for the filter needed and two sponge filters to be built yet. I also need to cut and add the top glass cover.

75759

[Second Hand Pat]

Dick, I would have suggested a fishless cycle on this tank. Problem is not knowing what other fish could have and transmit to your new discus once you get them.

[DLFL]

Ok Pat, that is a good idea.

Dick

[AndLaw134]

Good luck Dick looks like you are on your way. You will fine a wealth of knowledge here and lots of folks willing to help you out. I would also recommend a fish less cycle.
Cheers
Andrew

[DLFL]

This is one of the home made filters I made.

75848

[les2011]

Where are you in FL?

[les2011]

Where are you in FL?

[DLFL]

Les I am in Panama City.

[DLFL]

Heater and second sponge filter added today. Second day of fishless cycle. Need to add extensions for aqua clear filter.

75910

[tonytheboss1]

Need to add extensions for aqua clear filter.

:bandana: Actually, w/ the other two filters on the bottom you should do just fine. Maybe a pre-filter sponge for the A/C will be helpful. "T"

[1oscar]

from one newbie to another welcome lots of knowledge here on the forum

[sam86]

Looks like you have a great start!

[decoy50]

Definitely add the filter extensions - that way you can drain the tank down low without cutting your filter off.

[DLFL]

Tonight I got my first reading of nitrite and nitrate. I was going crazy waiting for the tank to start to cycle!!!

[DLFL]

This morning my tank had no ammonia or nitrites!!!!! Started tank up on Sept 19th, first nitrate and nitrite was Oct 4th, and today the 14th it is cycled!

[Poco]

Well done! Let the party begin.

[DLFL]

I have 28 quarters coming from Hans! A few more than I had counted on but am excited nonetheless.

Dick

[BobDaniel]

How about some pictures after they are home and settled in?

[DLFL]

Talked to Hans today and the babies will be here Friday! I can't wait to see what he picked out for me.

[Dogvet06]

We cant wait to see either! Happy unpacking!

[DLFL]

They are on the truck for delivery!! Been up since 6 but had a pretty sleepless night. Who would believe a soon to be 61 year old man could get that excited about some fish! LOL

[Dogvet06]

hehe we all understand i'm sure!

[DLFL]

Got the fish and they are doing well. They ate some and are adjusting well. Click on photo for larger image.
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/th_Discusarrival002_zps09b81089.jpg (http://s191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/?action=view&current=Discusarrival002_zps09b81089.jpg)

Dick

[Dogvet06]

wow thats a lot of babies...glad they are doing well

[nickfish39]

So what strains did you end up getting?

[DLFL]

Well I messed up and won two auctions from Hans. I have 30 babes and will need to get rid of some latter on. Got a mix of Leopard, Tefe, Dark Angel, Cobalt, Flachen, Brilliant, Red Turquoise, Flachen Snake Skin, Fire Red, Checkerboard, Pigeon Snake Skin, Pigeon Blue, Red Scribbled, Snake Skin Red and Snake Skin Blue.

[DLFL]

The auction was for quarter size babies but most were 50cent to a silver dollar.

[nickfish39]

Wow, that is a great line up! It should be a lot of fun growing them out and picking your keepers. Good luck!

[Second Hand Pat]

Dick, you got a little of everything including the kitchen sink lol. Best of luck with them :) and definitely keep us updated with how they do.

[shoveltrash]

Well I messed up and won two auctions from Hans. I have 30 babes and will need to get rid of some latter on. Got a mix of Leopard, Tefe, Dark Angel, Cobalt, Flachen, Brilliant, Red Turquoise, Flachen Snake Skin, Fire Red, Checkerboard, Pigeon Snake Skin, Pigeon Blue, Red Scribbled, Snake Skin Red and Snake Skin Blue.wow! congrats......good luck, and as Pat said, please do keep the updates coming :)

[DLFL]

Morning of 2nd day.

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/th_001_zpsc8da0943.jpg (http://s191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/?action=view&current=001_zpsc8da0943.jpg)

[Lbannie]

Nice looking fish! You mentioned an auction. Mind if I ask where you found them?

[DLFL]

Aqua Bid

[Lbannie]

Cool thanks!

[DLFL]

For the first time I was able to count the fish in my tank. Dummy me did not count them in their bags. I expected 28, there were 5 bags each marked 6 babies and I assumed Hans shipped 30 fish. They are starting to spread out and now I believe he sent 32 babies! 4 extra is hard to believe. Hans treats his customers well. Now if I only could figure out what colors I have. LOL

[DLFL]

7th day here.

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/th_7thdayhome013_zpse3eccc5d.jpg (http://s191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/?action=view&current=7thdayhome013_zpse3eccc5d.jpg) http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/th_003_zpse35cc438.jpg (http://s191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/?action=view&current=003_zpse35cc438.jpg) http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/th_004_zps9dff218f.jpg (http://s191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/?action=view&current=004_zps9dff218f.jpg)

[Dogvet06]

wow i can see them growing! good job!

[DLFL]

Water change this morning. I did a 75% water change last night and another this morning. For some reason the tank lost its cycle. I am hoping it really is a lack of cleaning the sponges enough and it really is still cycled. Water tested good after the change this morning and cleaning of the sponges.


http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/th_SundayMorning001_zps6fb68035.jpg (http://s191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/?action=view&current=SundayMorning001_zps6fb68035.jpg)

[DLFL]

This evening the water parameters are still good. Lesson learned on cleaning sponge filters. I know I have fire reds, flaschen, and other pigeon based fish but many are still a guess at this time.

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/th_Discus030_zps3defed6c.jpg (http://s191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/?action=view&current=Discus030_zps3defed6c.jpg)
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/th_Discus013_zpsaf6f7af0.jpg (http://s191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/?action=view&current=Discus013_zpsaf6f7af0.jpg)
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/th_Discus034_zpsb1c5f753.jpg (http://s191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/?action=view&current=Discus034_zpsb1c5f753.jpg)

[nickfish39]

Wow, I didn't know Hans sold on AquaBid. What is his seller name?

Fish are looking good. Do you think it was just the amount of fish that went in at one time that through off the biological filtration? That is a lot of fish.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[DLFL]

Nick,
He went by discushans just like here. The water has been fine until two days ago. Cleaning the filters took care of the bad readings. I have 32 or 34 small fry up to 3 1/2 inches in 60 gallons of water. I do not believe that there was too much bio load for the tank.

[nickfish39]

Awesome, I've just never seen him on there was why I asked. And I didn't mean too much of a bio load on the tank in general. I pack them in too. I meant with the amount of bacteria that were present. There will only be enough bacteria present for the amount of food they can consume. Otherwise they die off. That's why you see mini cycles when adding more fish.
Anyway. They are looking great! And way to score some extras for free!! Keep us updated.

[DLFL]

Some of the fish today. I really need a different camera. Click thumbnail for bigger photo.

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/th_11_4_12_zpsa728e56c.jpg (http://s191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/?action=view&current=11_4_12_zpsa728e56c.jpg) http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/th_somanycolors_zps2dc6025b.jpg (http://s191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/?action=view&current=somanycolors_zps2dc6025b.jpg)

[DLFL]

Click thumbnail for bigger photo.

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/th_007_zps6d8afeee.jpg (http://s191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/?action=view&current=007_zps6d8afeee.jpg)

[DLFL]

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/th_022_zps854388cb.jpg (http://s191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/?action=view&current=022_zps854388cb.jpg) http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/th_somanycolors_zps2dc6025b.jpg (http://s191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/?action=view&current=somanycolors_zps2dc6025b.jpg)

[JonC]

Looks fun..

[Dogvet06]

looking good!

[DLFL]

Thank you Jamie. I have not had the best of luck, first with a bacteria problem and now a worm problem. I think I got a cross contamination from my other tank with the worms. I had retreated for bacteria and lost three fish before seeing a white feces from one. As much as I watch the juvs I was surprised that I missed the white poop. Looks like I am got a handle on this and they are doing well again.

[DLFL]

After water change and they are a bit shy.
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/19%20Nov%202012/th_Waterchange031_zpsbc35c595.jpg (http://s191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/19%20Nov%202012/?action=view&current=Waterchange031_zpsbc35c595.jpg) http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/19%20Nov%202012/th_Waterchange040_zps0609bc99.jpg (http://s191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/19%20Nov%202012/?action=view&current=Waterchange040_zps0609bc99.jpg) http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/19%20Nov%202012/th_Waterchange043_zps4a79a7ba.jpg (http://s191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/19%20Nov%202012/?action=view&current=Waterchange043_zps4a79a7ba.jpg) http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/19%20Nov%202012/th_Waterchange045_zps2efcbde6.jpg (http://s191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/19%20Nov%202012/?action=view&current=Waterchange045_zps2efcbde6.jpg)

[DLFL]

Finally got a better photo.

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/11-23-2012/008_zpsd36c70a7.jpg

[DLFL]

Nice to see the colors starting to show.

[DLFL]

The fish are growing and looking good. I hope I have put the problems behind me.

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/eatingwormscopy2_zps8c8c827a.png

[sanjay337]

nice
i will be getting 6 discus same size
what advice can you give me?

[Eddie]

The fish are looking good! Nice work!

[DLFL]

Most of the discus are doing well. The smallest ones are stunted from the problems I encountered. 17 are doing very well.

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/019copy_zps1e661039.jpg

[DLFL]

Photos taken this morning.

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/005_zps37206a74.jpg

Dark Angel and Cobolt

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/012_zps1f0e6f9d.jpg

[DLFL]

I got a new camera for Christmas. Nice to have some pictures in focus!

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/080copy_zpsbec503db.png

[sandy]

Nice pic of a beautiful fish

Which camera you brought

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2

[DLFL]

It is a Nikon Coolpix L610.

[DLFL]

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Untitled_zpsdef0d2e5.png

[shoveltrash]

Fantastic photos! I need a new camera......but Santa says I've been too naughty LOL!
The colors are really coming out nicely on your fish :)

[DLFL]

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Untitled_zps16437227.jpg

Injured Flachen I received. It is one of the fastest growers.
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/injuried_zpsab8f09ba.jpg

[Eddie]

They're growing pretty good, nice work.

[DLFL]

Thank you all.

[DLFL]

Learning more about my new camera and better lighting.

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Untitled_zps23ade5c5.jpg http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Untitled_zps29663061.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Untitled_zpsc31c5d4c.jpg

[Eddie]

Looking good! A few of them are growing fast.

[DLFL]

I am hoping this fish will be very nice when it is grown. It is right at 4 inches now.
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/008copy_zps14c44b0e.jpghttp://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/011copy_zpsfcaf648a.jpg

[jsalas623]

Beautiful Fish! Any advice for us beginners? Would you have done any thing differently?

[DLFL]

jsalas623,
I would be a poor person to ask. These are my first and I have had nothing but trouble since I let the sponge filters get too dirty. Over half of my juvs have been lost.

I feed my own beef shrimp mixture which they loved but a bacterial problem started. That was easy to correct but then parasites have been taking them one by one.

I would get much bigger fish if I have to start over. The larger ones I received are looking good.

[a volar]

That's a weird looking sponge filter there! But I guess it does the job..... Nice!

[DLFL]

:)

[Eddie]

I am hoping this fish will be very nice when it is grown. It is right at 4 inches now.
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/008copy_zps14c44b0e.jpghttp://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/011copy_zpsfcaf648a.jpg

It is a nice looking fish.

[DLFL]

Colors are getting better and they are growing.

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Untitled_zps82ff2dc9.jpg http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Untitled_zpsdf9da508.jpg http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Untitled_zps6a3fbf3d.jpg http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Untitled_zps1bfef816.jpg

[DLFL]

The fish I liked the shape of is looking even better.

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z97/DLFL/Discus/ca3a07bd-ff3d-4a55-8098-59cf1418c83f_zps010aee2e.jpg

[Discus novice]

Such large tank should be enough, but fry grew up must be timely in bigger fish tank, or against the growth of fish fry

[DLFL]

Discus novice,
Not sure what you mean, you say good on the tank size, then seem to say it is bad?