Bryan Wilie

Hi Discus lovers,

I'm new to the forum and
Need kindly best practice advice on the following:

Objectves:
- To move discus (6 discuss fish) from one aquarium (13 gallons) to another aquarium (55 gallons).
Note: Distance between 2 aquariums are not more than 5 meters


What is already prepared:
- A new aquarium (55 galon) is filled with water and live plants. This new aquarium has already been aerated since 2 days ago
- The following parameters (e.g. CL-, pH Value, and Temperature) on both aquarium has been maintained as equal as possible (not at the best maybe)

Current potential problem for moving from one to another aquarium could be:
- Don't have any transportation media (e.g. don't have oxygen tank --> no oxygenated plastic bag)
- to relief discus fish while/ during transportation (not in stress that could be deadly maybe)

any help appreciated nicely..
thanks before

Je55*e

Is the 55g cycled?

Bryan Wilie

yes cycled, and I have just move it straight away, my 3" red map is swimming vertically, what should i do?

aquarist48

Good morning and Welcome to Fish Lore. According to your profile you are unaware of the nitrogen cycle which is crucial to fish keeping. If your 55g tank is cycled then you should have 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and 5-10 nitrates (your aquarium info says you have none of any of these so it makes me wonder if you're really cycled.

As for moving the Discus. Instead of netting the fish for transportation. I suggest some type of plastic container that you can scoop the fish from the tank and not have it exposed to air. You mentioned that you have the same temperatures and pH levels in both tanks which is good. Make sure, you are not going from a high pH to a lower pH. This could be fatal to the fish. Sudden pH level changes are NOT good.
Add some Prime or Nova Aqua + for stress once you have them moved into the 55g. Best of luck! We love pictures around here if you have the time and the means. I'm sure you'll get some more responses soon.

Bryan Wilie

i don't have ammonia tester, what item can test that? I only have Cl Test and pH test. I cycled them with my external filter, but I intend to buy bigger one, do you know about the best one for external filter?

aquarist48

It would be nice if you could get an API test kit. It has chemicals and test tubes specifically for Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates. Just because you have added a filter to the tank does not make it cycled. Please read the link below or your fish will be at risk for ammonia poisoning and not survive. Cycling the tank can take 4 to 6 weeks.
http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm

Bryan Wilie

I'm in Indonesia actually, I don't think there were anyone to sell this item (API Test Kit). But I wonder, which is better, Eheim or Jbl filter on the same size for my tank?

Bryan Wilie

oh, i forgot about something, I saw my tank is cloudy.. Is this dangerous or safe but not eye catching only? by the way, thanks for aquarist48 and Je55*e

aquarist48

I've never used the 2 filters you've mentioned. As for the white cloud is probably just a bacterial bloom and will eventually go away on it's own. Good luck and have fun with your tank and fish

Bryan Wilie

Ok thanks a milion!
Though I have some question:
What cause of the bacteria bloom?
How can I exactly know that it's really only because of the bacteria bloom?
For how long will the bacteria bloom go away by itself?
I think I'll put some of my discus pictures here, can you see it?

Bryan Wilie

here's some of my pic

Attached Images

IMAGE_033.jpg (175.0 KB, 48 views)

aquarist48

He is beautiful! Thanks for sharing the picture. Bacterial blooms or algae blooms are common in some newly established tanks. Too much light can cause it. Is the tank in direct sun light? I leave my tank lights on 12 hours a day. No more, no less. High Nitrates can also cause a bloom. It will go away over a period of a week or two along with water changes.

Bryan Wilie

thanks for your praise too.. How many should I change the water in 55 gallon tank? Previously in 13 gallon tank, I change the water once a day at 50%. Isn't it too much for 55g?

Bryan Wilie

apparently I have this one too in a medicated separate tank,in my 13 gallon tank, He/she swim vertically with the head on above, what happened with he/she? I don't know.. And aquarist48, how do you know if my discus in 1st pic is male? Thanks a lot!!

Attached Images

IMAGE_034.jpg (224.8 KB, 41 views)

Je55*e

Those are gorgeous Discus'!
I think that you have been changing the water too much. Ideally, you want to change 20-30% of the water with a gravel vac once a week. Since you had so many Discus in a small tank, maybe it got dirtier than it should have, but once they're in the 55g, I would only do the water changes once a week.

Bryan Wilie

But now one of them haven't eating anything since this morning and keep themself in a corner. I remember he was eating hungrily yesterday, after I move them to the 55g. Anything I can do with this?

Je55*e

Probably just acclimating. Just let them be and keep water parameters healthy.

Bryan Wilie

thanks je55*e! I'm waiting for my discus to recover now.

Bryan Wilie

my discus is now swimming strangely.. Sorry to bother you, but can you tell me again what cause it to happen? thanks a million.

Bryan Wilie

Nowmy discus are swimming strangely.. Sorry to bother you all again, but what can i do for them? I'm so worried about them. Thanks alot.

Je55*e

It's hard to tell you what's going on without knowing your water parameters, which you could get from an API test kit. Could you order one online asap?

Bryan Wilie

my nitrites, nitrates, and ammonia is very low.. and my discus is now joining the others again after he's been quarantined for a week.. Thanks a lot..

Bryan Wilie

but, in case of the worst, what should i do if suddenly my nitrites, nitrates and ammonia went high? thanks again!

Je55*e

If you just do your weekly water changes of 20-30%, your water parameters should stay in check. Good luck!

Bryan Wilie

thanks jesse, but I do my water change in 20% at all day.. Is it too much? I do it as i heard, "the more the better" from one of the member's thread (not this forum).

Je55*e

I think that's far too much. It could ruin your cycle. I've not had Discus and don't know too much about them, so you may want to check with someone who's experienced with them, but I think that's still too often.

harpua2002

I'm going to disagree with that as far as juvenile discus are concerned. I had a 55 gallon established planted tank that I changed 50% on 3x weekly. My juvenile discus stunted anyway. It was a learning experience for sure, and it really put me in my place- I won't be bending the rules on raising discus ever again.

Again, I disagree. If I had it to do over, I would pay attention to all the posts I've read on how to grow out discus to adult size. I thought I was an experienced aquarist and that I could bend the rules and it would be ok. I was totally wrong. If I were trying again, I'd grow them out in a bare bottom 29 gallon with 3x daily feedings and daily 50% water changes. Take it from me- juvenile discus DO NOT grow out well in a community tank.

Je55*e

^Listen to her, then, Bryan! I have no experience with Discus.

Bryan Wilie

Yes jesse, but thanks fyi.. So Harpua, must I keep my 2 inches discus without any other fish in their tank? what about the 5"?

Je55*e

Bryan, try private messaging her; may catch her eye quicker if the question is urgent. =)