Water Filtration for Discus

[pompies]

Hi,

I have an 180l / 36 gallon tank with an internal filter. Could you please let me know if you think that the filter would be sufficient for a discus tank? I have two-4 inch discus, 14 neon’s and a plec in the tank, I would like to add another 2 to 4 discus; would this be over stocking the tank? The tank size is 92cmx55cmx41cm (BxHxT).

Please see below description of the internal filter:

"JUWEL Filter System Compact H :4 Litres Bio - Power! The biggest Bio - Internal Filter system in its class. And as is typical for JUWEL: This highly efficient and easy to maintain filter system is as complete as it can be: - equipped with a powerful pump for ca. 600 litres/hour - equipped with an automatic heater with 200W - all filter media in the most practical filter basket: - Poly Pads for the large dirt particles - Active Carbon Sponge to extract chemical impurities from the water - coarse and fine filter sponges housing the bacteria cultures to effectively clean the water."

Pompies

 

[dolphin]

Hi pompies


Discus in a 36 gall tank! You will just get away with two, but not any more.

IMO it would be best to add an external filter to the setup. Discus do like there water of the highest quality that you can achieve.

BTW keep a eye on the neon head count. When I did have neons in with my discus, they used to heard them around the tank. And every so often one or two would not be seen any more. Keeps the tank bio load down though.

 

[Fishsmurf]

Pompies,

I'm with Dolphin on the tetra thing. I had 14 in with two Discus and over the period of a week that went down to 6, needless to say they have now been moved to another tank.....

With regard to the stocking side of things my opinion varies a little. I think that if:

1) You can put the tetras in another tank or return them &
2) The plec is one of the smaller ones (say Ancistrus as opposed to a common)

and you were willing to:

1) Invest in a good cannister filter &
2) Do a couple more water changes a week

you could add 1 maybe 2 more discus. IMO it's worth the extra effort for the results but you really will have to keep on top of the water condition.

Like I said just my opinion, maybe others will offer you more insight.....