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Post by wickedjester on Mar 26, 2010 9:08:25 GMT -5
Ok so I cant decide what direction I want to go with my 180g. Thinking about a discus tank. I could house quite a few in there and the tank would be beautiful to look at.
I have read that barebottom would be best for a discus tank, however I want to plant the tank too. I know I could put the plants in pots but that wont look as natural.
Wondering what you guys think as far as substrate for discus. Im going to look into building a sump for it as I dont think the filtration I have on it now would be adequate. Also going to build a new stand to get the tank up higher and get some new lights set up.
Let me know what you think.
Also what kind of tank mates do you recommend?
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Post by ADMIN on Mar 26, 2010 11:21:07 GMT -5
I use eco complete plant substrate in all my plant tanks. The Discus have no problem with it that I see.
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Post by wickedjester on Mar 26, 2010 11:41:06 GMT -5
How many Discus do you have? I can fit quite a few in a 180. I think the rule is same as angels isnt it? 10 gallons for every adult?
Would it be ok to have angels in the tank with them?
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Post by daviddelp09 on Mar 26, 2010 12:36:15 GMT -5
I used to clean a tank for a guy and he had a 700g. with 7 adult discus in it, with sand as a substrate and then live plants as well and they done very well. I love discus but there so expensive
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Post by wickedjester on Mar 26, 2010 12:56:15 GMT -5
They are expensive but worth it. And if I could get some breeders I could get my money back out of them.
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Post by ADMIN on Mar 26, 2010 13:41:30 GMT -5
I have 2 in my 75, they stay under the plants in the corner. They tend to hide from light. A deeper tank with less light would be better for them IMO. They will likely inherit the 120 when the 210 goes on line.
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Post by ponderingky on Mar 27, 2010 3:09:04 GMT -5
Hey Josh,
My first breeding project was discus. I hate bare bottom tanks so I used pool filter sand. It is crushed quartz and does not affect your ph. Discus are beautiful but require a huge commitment in care. I bought mine from a breeder in Columbus OH - he has an awesome setup and imports as well as breeds his own. I got them at half dollar size and when I sold them my biggest bull was the size of a small dinner plate. To grow them out you have to do almost daily water changes (I did) and high quality foods. When they are adults you can back off some on the water changes but will still need to do 2 or 3 a week. Temp in the tank needs to be between 84 and 86 degrees so you almost have to commit to a discus only tank. SimplyDiscus.com is a great web resource and where I learned just about everything I needed to know on raising discus. They are hardcore discus people - you have to sift through some of what they say to find a happy medium that works for you. I will help you all I can if you decide to breed them. I did raise a spawn before I sold mine. It is cool to watch the parents w/the fry and I am glad I got to see it in my hatchery. If you have any questions - ask away but make sure to read all you can at simplydiscus.
HTH,
Andy
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Post by wickedjester on Mar 27, 2010 7:32:41 GMT -5
Thanks Andy. I do plan on reading a lot more. Havent went to simplydiscus yet but Im wandering that way.
Ive I get juvies that 180 is going to be too big to try to mess with. Maybe I should use the 55 or just wait for a bit. I want to really take my time and decide what would be best before I rush into anything.
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Post by ponderingky on Mar 27, 2010 12:16:38 GMT -5
Josh,
I was thinking the same thing - start them in a 55 and let them grow - they will be fine for a while and you have the 180 to move them to when they are ready. I used 20H's for my breeders, others use 29's - either work fine. The guy I got my discus from is "Central Ohio Discus" in Columbus. I think he is listed on "Simply Discus" - his name is Mike - real nice guy.
HTH,
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Post by oscarfreak84 on May 16, 2010 10:15:41 GMT -5
Watch out if you house different sizes... Discus emit a horomone that will stunt the growth of smaller discus in the tank with them... It is away of dominacy... also in a 180 you could possibly house about 10 adults also as for tank mates you could house Rainbow Cichlids, Angels, Tetras (avoid Neons as Adult Angels and Discus will eat them due to them being thier natural food in the Amazon River Basin.), Discus are as peaceful as people think... let a pair spawn and you will all hell break out...
Michael Drake (aka Randy)
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