What size tank for 5 Discus?

[Sandy Clay]

I presently have 5 Discus, 1 is 2 years old, the other 4 are around 3". I would like to have my husband get me a new tank for Christmas. I presently have a 30 gallon. What size would be adequate for these fish? If I go with , say, a 50 gallon tank, does that cut down on water changes any? Not that I am trying to get out of anything, just wondering.

[Skip]

75g.. Ur fish will love the 18" depth.. Instead of 12"

[Sandy Clay]

75??? Yowser that's a lot of water! I will check into it, Thanks

[Skip]

Thats right... More water.. More stable.. Maybe even skip a wc ..

U want discus.. They get big.. Better to get a bigger tank now.. Or get smaller fish for ur 30

[Sandy Clay]

Yeah, I know that is true about getting bigger to begin with. Should have done that the first time! ;)

[Second Hand Pat]

75 gallon is a great size. Not too small or big and like Skip says, giving you a little breathing room. The extra width giving you more decor options too :)

[Sandy Clay]

Thanks Pat...never thought about that!

[decoy50]

You can save alot of money buying tanks off Craigslist. No need to buy new. After a couple weeks searching, I finally got a 90 gallon with stand for $250 on Saturday.

[Sandy Clay]

I've seen those, but, I am always concerned they will leak.

[decoy50]

This is the 2nd craigslist tank I've bought without any problems. I only respond to CL posts that include pics of the tank. Sometimes they will show pics of their setup with fish etc...you can tell from the health of the fish & cleanliness of the tank if the owner took care of it or not.

[Sandy Clay]

I live in a small town, so, any tanks on craigslist are generally a ways off, but, I will check it out. Thanks for the idea.

[Donno]

+1 for Craigslist. 75 gallon tanks are fairly popular and come up for sale frequently. You should be able to find a nice one for less than $100.

[BroodNV]

If you go with a 75 might as well go for a 90 as it's the same footprint but just a few inchs taller.

[tonytheboss1]

75g is a good middle size tank. W/C's can be spaced better than w/ a 30g. Fish will have 'elbow' room. lol "T"

[TNT77]

Where in IL are you. I might have a 75g with wooden stand I could part with.

[Dubiadiscus]

Hi sandy a 75 gallon is a great size I wish I had that size. I currently have a 65 gallon tall and works out really well. If a 75 gallon is not an option give that a try. Good luck too you

[Orange Crush]

I have found that everytime I bought a new tank, I later wish that I had gotton a bigger one. The bigger the tank the more you can do with it and the more fish you can have. What happens to me is I see a fish I want and realize I do not have the room in any of my tanks for it so I have to buy a whole new tank and setup. In hindsight I should have just bought larger tanks that I can add more fish to when I want (after QT of course).
Also, the more water you have the more stable the conditions and the more gallons per fish the more forgiving it will be on water quality should you have to skip a water change for whatever reason (vacation, illness, etc.). Overstocking can be lethal if you are unable to keep up the water changes/maintanance.

[krislewis3]

I have found that everytime I bought a new tank, I later wish that I had gotton a bigger one. The bigger the tank the more you can do with it and the more fish you can have. What happens to me is I see a fish I want and realize I do not have the room in any of my tanks for it so I have to buy a whole new tank and setup. In hindsight I should have just bought larger tanks that I can add more fish to when I want (after QT of course).
Also, the more water you have the more stable the conditions and the more gallons per fish the more forgiving it will be on water quality should you have to skip a water change for whatever reason (vacation, illness, etc.). Overstocking can be lethal if you are unable to keep up the water changes/maintanance.

+1

[Poco]

Once you start with discus you will want more. In a 75 you will be able to add 2 on top of 5 and in a 90 may be 4 (9 in total).

Go with the biggest tank that you can afford.

[Skip]

Once you start with discus you will want more. In a 75 you will be able to add 2 on top of 5 and in a 90 may be 4 (9 in total).

Go with the biggest tank that you can afford.

pfft! more then that.. :)

either way.. they will end up with ANOTHER tank or two>> :)

[Sandy Clay]

OMG you guys...you will have me buying a 200 gallon!!! LOL I will have to check out he 75 gallons ones for sure though. I guess I need to see how much space it will take up.

I live in central Illinois, 100 miles SW of Chicago, or 60 miles N of Bloomington.

[Dubiadiscus]

Here's another idea build your own tank. That is my next plan is to build my own custom tank to go the length of my walkout wall. Growing up as a kid I had helped my dad build many custom tanks to sui your room space. Everyone is right the bigger the betterand easy it is to maintain and keep stable

[Keith Perkins]

Here's another idea build your own tank. That is my next plan is to build my own custom tank to go the length of my walkout wall. Growing up as a kid I had helped my dad build many custom tanks to sui your room space. Everyone is right the bigger the betterand easy it is to maintain and keep stable

She's worried about a used tank leaking and you want her to build her own? :D Sorry, just struck me as really funny.

Whatever you do SC DON'T settle for a 55. I've got one in my inventory of tanks in use and what people have said about 18" of depth being better than 12" for discus is absolutely true. The fish act much differently with the extra 6" of depth and you'll never be sorry you went for it.

[Dubiadiscus]

Cozykeith no worrys it didn't dawn on me until I posted it. That is what happens when I work nights and get tired I don't function 100% lol :)