I think I was told some club member kept discus in a planted tank. I would love to know more about that setup. I had 5 discus, until I made a critical mistake during a water change. but I also think having a sand substrate contributed. I am in the process of rehabbing that tank, and it will be ready for more discus in approximately 30 days. however, I am trying to decide how I want to set it up. I will not start with juveniles, because I believe they simply struggle to grow in planted tanks. but if I am wrong, I would love to know what someone is doing to achieve this.
instead, what I am thinking of doing is go with no substrate, but use various branches and pieces of wood, and tie plants to that. and I am also planning to just flat out buy adult discus, as opposed to juveniles. I do not need super large ones.... I'm just thinking in the 4 to 4 1/2 inch range. I plan to keep the tank at 84 degrees, and I do not plan on messing with my 8.0 pH. I plan to get the discus from Scales... where I got my first batch.
anwyay, any advice or insight on what some other members are doing is certainly appreciated! now that I am beginning my discus project, I am eager to set this up correctly. Thanks!
-Rich
Discus
I'm not so sure that a sand substrate is an issue. Many people use sand in discus tanks. The type of sand you used could have been a problem. If you are planning to tie plants to driftwood I'm assuming you'll be sticking to ferns, mosses and Anubias. Most plants will not like the water temp at 84 degrees. The discus will be fine at 80 degrees, which is about the threshold of most plants. Even at 80 degrees you'll have trouble keeping moss looking nice.
Check out this tank for inspiration: http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/2 ... l=3&id=141
Check out this tank for inspiration: http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/2 ... l=3&id=141
hmmm... okay. yeah, you were right about the plant types. I was looking at the max temps on the Aquaspot (or whatever it is called... lol...) website from the Group Order thread. Many plants listed there claim to be good up to 30 degrees Celsius (about 86 degrees Fahrenheit). should I consider that threshold they have there not reliable?
I like the warmer temps for the discus because from what I have been able to gather, it helps their immune systems a bit, so far as warding off parasites or such that they could otherwise be susceptible to... in fact, I kept my last batch at 86 degrees, until I lost them making a major water change goof.
checking out the link now... thanks for the food for thought!
I like the warmer temps for the discus because from what I have been able to gather, it helps their immune systems a bit, so far as warding off parasites or such that they could otherwise be susceptible to... in fact, I kept my last batch at 86 degrees, until I lost them making a major water change goof.
checking out the link now... thanks for the food for thought!
that is about exactly the kind of look I am going for, minus the substrate. I am leery because I have read a lot about how having a substrate can bring down the quality of the water, which, of course, the discus are sensitive to. since I am buying expensive adults, I am a bit concerned with taking a chance with substrate again... but, that is what I am investigating now... trying to make a final decision on the substrate thing here.
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Ltrepeter2000
- Posts: 1555
- Joined: Mon Aug 01, 2005 8:22 am
- Real Name: Rob Peterson
- Location: Sterling, VA
- Contact:
http://www.discus-hans-usa.com/
Thats a link to Discus Hans website. He is a member of the Capital Cichlid Association and probably would be the ultimate person to speak to with any of your concerns about Discus. He actually was the speaker at
As for the plants, that 86 degrees is probably max to keep them alive, not necessarily thriving. Finding the balance is crucial.
Thats a link to Discus Hans website. He is a member of the Capital Cichlid Association and probably would be the ultimate person to speak to with any of your concerns about Discus. He actually was the speaker at
As for the plants, that 86 degrees is probably max to keep them alive, not necessarily thriving. Finding the balance is crucial.
Robert Peterson
"Mr. Sarcastic"
The work will wait while you show a child a rainbow,
but the rainbow wont wait while you do the work
-Unknown-
"Mr. Sarcastic"
The work will wait while you show a child a rainbow,
but the rainbow wont wait while you do the work
-Unknown-
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Ghazanfar Ghori
- Site Admin
- Posts: 3258
- Joined: Sun Nov 23, 2003 5:26 am
- Location: United States
If you're buying adult fish, I would certainly consider a substrate along with
some plants. There are a number of plants that'll do well in that temperature.
Most hygros should do well in higher temps - hygro corymbosa angustafolia is a nice one. There are a number of nice swords available now, and most of those
should do well too. Bolbitis should do ok. Moss will not. Having a lot of plants,
growing well will increase the quality of your water.
some plants. There are a number of plants that'll do well in that temperature.
Most hygros should do well in higher temps - hygro corymbosa angustafolia is a nice one. There are a number of nice swords available now, and most of those
should do well too. Bolbitis should do ok. Moss will not. Having a lot of plants,
growing well will increase the quality of your water.
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Cristy Keister
- Posts: 2215
- Joined: Sat Nov 29, 2003 6:52 am
- Location: MD
I keep my Discus in a planted tank with Eco-Complete. 82-83 degrees (recommended by Jack Watley). 50% water change weekly. I've found that most plants do fine at those temps, the issue for the plants is more about nitrates and organic bio load. In order for the Discus to grow properly, you have to feed a high protein diet at least 2x/day. Once they are adults you feed a bit less. My fish will never be huge like Hans' because I don't do daily WCs and I usually feed them only once/day. I'm quite happy with smaller fish, though.
Currently growing Anubias, Bolbitis, Hygro, Crypts, and Potomogeton. All doing very well. I had Taiwan moss growing out of control for a while - got rid of most and the bit attached to wood got smothered by algae. I think Hygro. corymbosa angustifolia is a very good plant for Discus because of it's height and fullness.
The Discus did ok with CO2 for a while, then one day decided they didn't like it. I'm still not sure why. I would find them gasping in the mornings even though it had been off overnight. They haven't had a problem since I removed the CO2. Now I use Excel a couple times a week. Without CO2 I can no longer keep the more demanding plants.
Currently growing Anubias, Bolbitis, Hygro, Crypts, and Potomogeton. All doing very well. I had Taiwan moss growing out of control for a while - got rid of most and the bit attached to wood got smothered by algae. I think Hygro. corymbosa angustifolia is a very good plant for Discus because of it's height and fullness.
The Discus did ok with CO2 for a while, then one day decided they didn't like it. I'm still not sure why. I would find them gasping in the mornings even though it had been off overnight. They haven't had a problem since I removed the CO2. Now I use Excel a couple times a week. Without CO2 I can no longer keep the more demanding plants.
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DelawareJim
- Posts: 1249
- Joined: Tue Dec 02, 2003 4:25 pm
- Real Name: Jim Michaels
- Location: Southeast PA
I kept mine in a planted tank with 2-3 mm quartz gravel, 78'F, 50% water changes weekly, and once per day feeding with Tetra bits, golden pearls, brine shrimp, standard Tetra flake. Like Christy's mine never got to be dinner plate size, but they were healthy and happy and that was fine with me.
Plants were Echinodorus, various Crypts, anubias, bolbitis, and whatever stems I was messing with at the time. I used EI and PPS dosing with no ill effects.
Personally, I don't think they are as fragile as people make them out to be, they just won't be 14 inch, Oh My Gawd!, show stoppers.
Cheers.
Jim
Plants were Echinodorus, various Crypts, anubias, bolbitis, and whatever stems I was messing with at the time. I used EI and PPS dosing with no ill effects.
Personally, I don't think they are as fragile as people make them out to be, they just won't be 14 inch, Oh My Gawd!, show stoppers.
Cheers.
Jim
I hope it is okay to reference this link from The Planted Tank forum. I saved this link because I am interested in doing a low maintenance tank some day, but as you can see by the photo, this guy keeps Discus in a planted tank and manages to do it without water changes. Amazing, if true, wouldn't you say.
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/photo ... pdate.html
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/photo ... pdate.html
Joe
yeah... I agree with that also... I do not care if they are not huge... I would like them to be able to be around 5 or 6 inches though. I plan to buy them at 4 inches. I won't keep this tank at 86 degrees... I have been planning to keep it at 84 degrees. maybe I'll go 83. I was feeding my previous discus flakes in the morning and bloodworms in the evenings. I did 50% water changes weekly, and ran a Rena XP2 canister and a Penguin power filter (I forget the model number).
if I might ask, how large were you all's discus? I plan on going with 5 of them in my 55 gallon. only other inhabitant I am planning on is a BN pleco... I think. I know the 5 varieties that I want... now it is just about preparing the tank, and I want to certainly do this right.
Eco-complete, huh? that would certainly help the plants. so you never have to vac the substrate? this will be low tech... no CO2 injections, though I am fine with excel. I will use a low light like a the T5 normal output dual bulb plant light I have now on my rainbow tank.
if I might ask, how large were you all's discus? I plan on going with 5 of them in my 55 gallon. only other inhabitant I am planning on is a BN pleco... I think. I know the 5 varieties that I want... now it is just about preparing the tank, and I want to certainly do this right.
Eco-complete, huh? that would certainly help the plants. so you never have to vac the substrate? this will be low tech... no CO2 injections, though I am fine with excel. I will use a low light like a the T5 normal output dual bulb plant light I have now on my rainbow tank.
