Discus - Thinking Of Tank

[stackem evs]

Hi,

Discus like tropical and marine can be stunning fish and tanks when kept right.

People keep them for their own right, but are they considered as a half way house between usual tropical and the problems relating to marine tanks?

Thanks

 

[Davey Jones]

Hi,

Discus like tropical and marine can be stunning fish and tanks when kept right.

People keep them for their own right, but are they considered as a half way house between usual tropical and the problems relating to marine tanks?

Thanks

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

Umm a little confusing, but if you mean what I think you mean (which im not so sure about) then i'd say no.

 

[stackem evs]

Right lets try and explain this again, a bit more long winded but hopefully a little clearer.

People keep Goldfish, Tropical, Cichlid, Saltwalter. Mainly for the desire to stock those type of fish, but also included into the equation is the ability to correctly manage them (or should be). My young daughter can happily manage her small goldfish, but would get help in setting up and looking after a community tropical tank.

Myself down the lfs, always take time out to look at the live corals and fish that come under the marine/saltwater label. The daugther keeps pointing out NEMO and I have to keep telling her no. Much as I like them, the time, money and more importantly experience to correctly look after them (which is a very large factor in the equation) stops me.

Looking at Disus and other cichlids, I think they too have a certain appeal to them. It is often recorded that they are a good community fish (depending on the actual fish) in the right conditions. Or do people with more experience and knowledge than me consider that to keep them well, you do need to have a bit more time and experience?

I know probably sounds like I'm talking rubbish (boss is always telling me I am!). But do people think you do need to take that bit more time, research of conditions and selection, and good management to have a decent environment that we all like to see.

Hopefully that makes the general question clearer, rather than murker. Thanks

Umm a little confusing, but if you mean what I think you mean (which im not so sure about) then i'd say no.

I think you just about worked out the gist, and simple answered, thanks

 

[Siamese Fighter05]

I've never kept them so i can't really give you an accurate answer but it's often understood that discus can be delicate fish who don't tolerate any levels of ammonia, nitrite and can only handle small amounts of nitrate.

They can also be hard to acclimitaze to a different PH to their usual soft acidic water unless you get them from a local LFS.

Some people use RO water like in a marine tank to bring down the levels of nitrate, PH etc.

If you're thinking about keeping them just do a lot of research and try and source some from a local supplier who is keeping them successfully in water chemistry close to your own

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

Actually it's still a little confusing, you must be very bright! I would say that in terms of mantianence it is the half way point between your average run of the mill hardy tropical freshwater fish (Discus that is). Some Cichlids aren't as hard to keep, hell, some aren't even that mucher harder then all those community fish you see. Some even are good community fish. I would say if anything Discus are most likely going to be the closest thing to a "half way house", but even then I wouldn't exactly call it that. You can turn an average community tank into a half way house if you wanted, with daily water changes, and the water, before entering the tank would have the exact Ph, Gh, ect. of the tank., everyday measurments of ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, ph, gh, ect. Even using RO water (depending on fish) and an Ion exchange filtration divice to run along with your canister filter and Co2 injector for your plants that need trimming every day along with a mixture of ferts, the fish would be well fed on a mixture of frozen and live foods. Okay okay, maybe I went a little overboard, but somewhere along those lines would be the equvilent in maintanence for a well kept salt water fish tank.

 

[The Amazonian]

Discus seem intimidating , but not as much as you may think... However they do better in a species tank 5 Minimum they will require a larger tank at some point...

Discus have water requirements that are not great for all community fish.
They do best in a PH of 6.5-7.0
They also need high temps of 82-86oF

They are also prone to parasite infestation, this can happen with other tank mates easier...

They also require more frequent water changes...

Yaaa, they are a commitment

 

[kev_kb]

Discus are not typical community fish, I won't bother posting the requirements for them as that has been done so many times on this forum.

What I would say is that if you don't feel ready to get into a salt water setup then I would stay away from Discus. I have a Discus tank and salt water nano also. The only difference really in the maintenance is that for the salt water tank I use 100% RO water plus salt mix and for the Discus I use 70% RO and 30% tap water. Both methods take more time than your average community tank water change and both types need lots of research too.

 

[Betta5]

Well with todays tank bred discus its only getting easier for us to keep them. My neighbour (the only adult i know that keeps fish, that are not in a pond) has a discus tank. It is about 35 gallons UK, and she has 3 discus in it. She uses peat in her water as we have hard water and they do better in soft water. She uses 100% pure tap water (with dechlorinator), with 30% water changes a week. Her fish are very healthy and 2 even formed a pair (which breed, but do like to eat their eggs), but all 3 still seem to hang loosly together. She got them when they were about 2.5" very small and now they are about 4.5" maybe 5".

Now im not saying everyone go and buy a 35 gallon tank, and stick 3 discus in it. Im just pointing out how it seems to be getting easier to keep this once "delicate" fish in the home aquarium.

I think if you are going to get wild discus you are going to need to match the requirements of the discus regarding Ph, etc.

sorry this post is a little confusing but i guess you will get the point.

thanks

 

[crazie.eddie]

Discus are not really difficult, but maybe intimidating at first. I have owned them for almost a year. Gave some, traded some, 1 has died, and they have even spawned.

I don't really think discus are prone to illnesses. I would have to think it is the environment they have been bred in. Lots of discus are raised in mainly discus only tanks and very clean, almost sterile environments, since breeders perform daily large water changes. Therefore, they are not introduced to common bacteria or parasites to give themselves an immunity. Therefore, when introduce to a tank that contains them, the discus easily gets sick.

 

[newfishaddict]

I would get a Discus tank only when you feel you really know FW tanks. I have a 90g planted Discus tank. It does not require so much time as it does understanding and knowledge. Any critical thinking, science oriented person will find keeping these tanks easy. If you are more "right" brained I would make certain you read for months or a year before getting Discus AND have other FW fish for a few years ore more first.

 

[newfishaddict]

don't tolerate any levels of ammonia nitrite - Very true good circulation without too much current and two great filters will take care of this. Mechanical filtration is not required use bio filtration eg ceramics

Nitrate. I keep nitrate between 5-7 and my plants grow great and discus are very happy.

You can acclimate any of them even wilds. It must be done SLOWLY, like months or years with wilds.

Some people use RO water like in a marine tank to bring down the levels of nitrate, PH etc. I use RO for convenience, running my line to the tank with no buckets is very very satisfying for me. I add salts to the ro water (NOT NACL)

If you're thinking about keeping them just do a lot of research and try and source some from a local supplier who is keeping them successfully in water chemistry close to your own YES YES

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[cheesy feet]

Havn't read much of post because i'm tired and going to bed...lol.I would just say if you care for any fish properly you can care for discus(which have been aclimatized to your water),so read up a bit then go for it..You can't have less then 4(i would say) or else thye become such shy little buggers