New To The Hobby

[maxpayne]

Hi,

Been reading lots and it can become very confusing about keeping discus fish with lots having a different opinion. e.g. number of discus in 32 gallon tank, one said 1 per 10 gallons and another said 1 per 8 gallons.

I have four in a 32 gallon tank with 2 bronze catfish and a few plants.

I read about cycling and now am worried as I only left the tank for about 5 - 7 days with filter running....the discus are the first fish I put in.

I just changed the water after a week, 3/4 of the tank and was told to do that every two weeks. I know I have read others that suggest more often but that advice for the 3/4 every two weeks was from a fish shop owner.

I know now I should have looked into it a bit more first before buying the discus but they looked just so good and have a great personality, which makes them seem more like pets then just fish in a tank

We have a bit of bullying going on but from what I read that is normal and seems to be settling.

Couple of quick questions besides any general advice as I am trying to learn fast before anything goes wrong.

I am feeding them bloodworms (frozen) and finely minced ox heart which I bought from the fish shop and what he was feeding his enormous discus. I only feed them once a day and only enough so that they feed for a short while (do not want to overfeed). I also read that feeding them smaller amounts will reduce size (32 gallon tank) and more fish die from overfeeding then starvation. Is this the correct food and enough?. They do not seem to be going badly on that much food. We also throw in an algae wafer every second day. Can I also feed them flake or pellets from the supermarket (no dedicated pet store in area).

I have planted a few plants and it looks like a nice stream setting, it does not look like a jungle either. I also bought an artificial log with plastic plants on it and it is a bit on the large side (again rushed in). I also have a natural bit of driftwood with a plant growing on it and it looks great in the tank. Am I better of having some clear large area (take out artificial log) and just use the live plants for the hiding etc?.

I increased the tempeature to 28 degrees for the discus fish and the two bronze catfish seem to like it. Yet to see if the plants like it but I assume they should be right?. I give them 10+ hours a day with the fluro lights.

Also my first water change was not so bad I thought poruing in the water looked a little bit 'rough'. I used a hose to drain the water and also used a vacaum pump to drain it. I refilled the tank with 'buckets' but aged it first and let it settle to bring the temparature down. I thought adding small buckets full with smaller amounts of water at a time would be better then putting a hose in the tank.

Anyway any thoughts would help, I know this is a lot ot digest but I am playing catch up.

 

[BigbruiserAl]

No point going over old ground you will now be in a fish in cycle IMO i woould monitor that tank every day and be ready for at least a water change per day if not more. Discus can be hard to keep if the water stats are not ideal. My honest advise with such nice/expensive fish may be to take them back to the store cycle the tank and pick them when ready just my 2p

 

[algir]

No point going over old ground you will now be in a fish in cycle IMO i woould monitor that tank every day and be ready for at least a water change per day if not more. Discus can be hard to keep if the water stats are not ideal. My honest advise with such nice/expensive fish may be to take them back to the store cycle the tank and pick them when ready just my 2p

I agree. You are beginning a fish-in cycle. Not entirely humane. I find it easier to cycle fishless. Not to mention the fact that Discus are pretty sensitive fish. They are also very demanding in terms of WPs. I would return them. Good luck!

 

[Owen386]

Hey Welcome To the Hobby,

Sad to say though you have made the first mistake Most have made. I agree with above comments return fish, also since no one else has said it yet your fish will most likely Die if water changes are not met every time they are needed. Good luck and use these resources on this site, I am new to all this myself and have used this Forum tremendously.

-Owen

 

[maxpayne]

Now you all have me worried

So far the fish are looking good, feeding and very active. I have a good filter, plants, catfish and don't overfeed. A rise in the water temperature seems to have made them more active.

I will change a small amount of water daily for a few weeks and see how that helps. I only put four discus in so as not to crowd the tank. They are on the small side for now so that should keep waste down.

Yes, fish shop owners need to be a bit more informative. Shall keep you posted on results.

I have read about hoe in head disease being common, how do you prevent this?.

I am in speed learning mode....lol.

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Were not trying to scare you mate its just most have have already made the mistake and the voice of experince is talking
The filter can be the best in the world but if it not mature ie the bacteria that break down the ammonia in the tank have not formed and the only way to get them out is water changes. In a new tank things will look fine 1,2 maybe 3 weeks but they will start to die/get poorly it a given. All were saying is fish like that wont tolarate it they are very picky. Have a read of the fish in cycle in the resource center, if your keeping them be prepared for big water changes maye 50% which will bring its on problems with discus. Good luck fella

 

[micko]

Welcome to the forum.

I can only suggest what's already been said by taking them back and doing a fishless cycle.

Good luck

 

[Little_Nemo]

+1 with the water changes, you may even need to do 2 a day, just until you've cycled your filter. Discus are shy, skittish fish and require as much cover as possible to feel comfortable. The ideal temperature for them is 25-29'C. They're especially sensitive to ammonia & nitrite, so its important you keep that under control.

 

[Tizer]

a test kit should be first on the list of things to buy and daily testing needs to start now. keep your ammonia and nitritesbelow 0.25 and you might see the cycle out, but you really gotta be there every day to do a water change. 4 fish will still pump out a good amount of ammonia.