Discus

[pompies]

Hi All,

I have recently bought a Juwel - Vision 180 tenk, it has a built in filter system. The tank has been up and running with 12 neons for 3 weeks. The ph is 6.5 and GH 6, I use half RO water and half Tap Water to keep the water chemisrty stable. I bought 2 discus today from the local aquarium, they seemed fine for the first hour after which they started to swim like mad and even bumped into the tank....both died 20 minutes later. Was it to soon to introduce the fish? Any tips will help as I am new at discus keeping.

 

[impur]

Do you know what the readings on your nitrITES and ammonia are? You should start there. If the tank is not fully cycled, a discus will not survive. They are very sensitive to water chemistry. I have read that most discus keepers change their water 1-2 times a day. I would do probably 2-3 times a week if i had them. Also, a lot of them keep bare bottom tanks, so you can vacuum up all the waste easier.

 

[pompies]

Impur,

Thanks, the Nitrate and amonia is 0. Would it be worth it to try a easier cichlid first? I would be gratefull if you could suggest some more harden Cichlids?

I will do a water change tomorrow and leave the tank for a week after which I will add some new fish?

 

[Jesse]

Try firemouths they are a good starter cichlid - and a great cichlid altogether!

 

[pompies]

Jesse,

Thanks, could you let me know what the best water conditions would be?

 

[craw]

Pompies,
I'm a fellow Discus keeper (although not one of the best around!!!) Ive got a jewel 190,with 3 discus. Your ph sounds bang on,what temp was your tank at? I've lost discus within a short time of purchase,but not that soon.
What size were the fish? Past experiences of mine indicate that the smaller the fish-the harder they are to keep. I've bought many 2 inch - 3.5 inch fish and lost most of them,whereas have 4.5 inch and 6 inch fish that seem to be fine.
has anyone else found this? if i buy them small they rarely seem to grow and die within 3-4 months.

Craw.

 

[pompies]

Craw,

The tempreture of the tank was +/- 86, I just did a water test and it seems that my nitrate has gone up to +/- 1... can't understand why? Do you think that the built in fuilter system in the Jewel is enough or should one add some more fultration?

The 2 discus I bought was approx 3 inch, I think they where wild cought from Thailand...or that's what they said.

How often do you do your water changes?

 

[craw]

pompies,

i generally try to do once a week,but sometimes its 10-12 days. i really should try to do it more often though. I would have thought that with the neons surviving you would be fine,theyre usually the first to go belly up when theres a problem.
I tend to go for captive bred and find that they are a tad easier to keep.dont mix them though.

craw

 

[pompies]

Hi,

Did a 30% water change (haf RO water, half tap water), installed a air pump and got 2 new discus from the aquarium for free ( as the other 2 died in +/- 1h30 minutes), will keep you posted.

Pompies

 

[shimanocono]

Good look with these ones. Hopefully they will survive.

 

[Fishsmurf]

Pompies,

Only just seen this one. If you want to get into Discus you are prob going to have to invest in another filter, I would seriously suggest a good cannister filter. As previously stated they do require excellent water condtions to flourish. I would also suggest upping the amount of water changes you are doing. I have a Rio 180 with 3 mid size discus (am just waiting to get to a good breeder for the 4 & last for that tank) and am currentley doing at least two 30 - 40% water changes a week. The difference in the colouration is noticeable with more frequent water changes.

A varied and balanced diet is also essential for good growth.

Here is another thread from a couple of days ago that also has some good point's about Discus in:

Discus Thread

Whilst Discus do take a little more looking after than other species the reward is well worththe extra effort.

Good luck, if you need anything else shout and I'll see if I can help you out.....

 

[pompies]

Fishsmurf,

Thanks for the info, the 2 new ones seems quite happy....

With regards to the filter system, do you have 2 filter in your Rio 180?

Do you keep your discus alone or do you have some other fish with them in the tank, I am feeding my discus a Discus mix, it's got a bit of everything in it (frozen).

 

[Fishsmurf]

Pompies.....

Glad the new ones are doing ok.....

As for the filters, I run two on the 180, I use the internal filter provided and a Fluval 203 cannister as well. The internal filter is more for mechanical filter (poop, etc) whilst the cannister is mainly there for bioligical filtration. It may be a bit of over kill but the Discus seem to appreciate it......

Other inhabitants are a couple of small Ancistrus & some Otto's. I did try a small school of tetra's at one point but after they went from 14 to 8 overnight I ended up moving the survivors into a community tank.

If you are looking for something else I have heard it suggested that some Rams are suitable tank mates. Angels are another solution although the jury is still out on them, I tried it for a short while & it seemed to work ok, but this was just a short term solution whilst the tank for the Angels finished cycling...... Basically I have now settled on Discus only (oh for the day I can afford a 120 - 150g for a great Discus tank)

Food wise is as per the other thread, ie beefheart mix, live bloodworms (a couple of time a week), veggies and some granules.....

HTH a bit.....

 

[pompies]

Fishsmurf,

I will look into another fliter, with regards to the frozen foods; do you defrost the cubes before hand?

The 2 new ones are still OK, the ones colours has already come back to normal, the other is still on the pale side

Pompies

p.s. How many discus could I keep in my Vision 180 ?

 

[dolphin]

Hi pompies

Sorry to here of your prodlems.

As a newbie to discus, I would not add discus to a newly set up tank. You should wait for at least 2 months. You need to be sure that you water is stable.

Good luck with the new fish.