FL CommunityFans

SO I think we started with out first tank (a 10gallon) about 2-3 weeks ago now. Since then we got a 29g setup in our bedroom. Did some perusing on craigslist and found a woman getting rid of a 55gallon and a 30gallon - 60$ for both - would need to buy the filter/heater/lights etc, so it'd still be pricey.

It's been hard getting the wife in to things so far, but she absolutely loves the Discus. I figure if I can talk her in to letting me get at least a 55gallon or so then I can start working on a setup that would really draw her in. I wouldn't want to do JUST discus however. I assume a pleco would be fine to go in with them, from what I've read at least. Angels as well. Some corys as well, 2 different schools of 6-8 corys.. total about 14-16. Just a rough idea. Would any other cichlids be ok with discus and angels? I'm just brainstorming for the long run at this point. Wife thinks I've gone nuts, lol.

joshthefisherman

So you to get discus fish id reccomend holding off until you have had the tank setup for a while and have a little more experience although idk how much u have im assuming u are fairly new. Discus are very finicky they requre some different water conditions than other fis they like high temp 80-86 ph 5-7- 1-8Dh because of these waterconditions finding mates can be tricky that is why most are kept in species tanks but corys are usually used for tank mates although idk if id get 16 id go more for 2 schools of 3 believe angels would be fine but be careful not to overstock!

FL CommunityFans

I'm fairly new to the fish world, but I have soaked in a decent amount of knowledge. It's going to be at least 2 months before I even get the chance to set up a tank for discus and angels, so until then I'm just trying to brainstorm. I understand they are a bit different in their water needs, and have read up a fair bit on that. The angels and discus will do well with a water temp of 82-84* which is what I was planning for. According to planetcatfish, there are a few types of corys that also thrive well under that environment

At any rate, I definitely feel comfortable developing a tank built for those types of fish, and I certainly have the time to baby it, being a stay-at-home dad right now! Another 2 months and I will have soaked up even more info, making this dream tank all the easier, in my mind at least.

I'd thought about the large number of corys, but maybe I'll get lucky and talk the wife in to letting me get a 90+ gallon

Thank you for the concern and advice!!

SereneReyn

if it were me, i wouldn't put angels with discus... angels can be a bit pushy... and with discus being so fragile, i wouldn't want them upset in the slightest. besides which, several discus together is very impressive... a school of neons with discus looks great tho. i'd try to get a taller tank for them as well, just due to their body style.
i won't discourage you based on being 'new'... so long as you continue to research, etc. my other suggestion, however... would be if you're going to alter the water to make conditions more 'ideal'... do it before the fish are in the water. (meaning with water changes, etc...) they absolutely cannot handle changes well (like Ph, etc). better to keep it stable than always make changes.

FL CommunityFans

Exactly what my plans are. I don't plan on adding any fish to the tank, when/if I get the chance to build it until all appropriate conditions are met. My current view is that if the discus can handle it, then most anything else would too, so having all the proper elements in place would just make it easier all around.

Some discus, a school of neons... and corys would be ok in this mix too, correct? I'm still trying to find a pleco I like that likes the 82* mark.

SereneReyn

corys should be fine... most people advise caution with plecos and discus because they've been known to 'latch' onto them... with bad results... i'm not saying it's not an option, just be aware of any suckermouths you put in being a potential problem... ofcourse there are other options for algae control, or clean-up duty... if you're having a planted tank, malaysian trumpet snails might be good to have (yeah, snails are scary as far as how they multiply, but these are supposed to be good ones)... i'm not sure about shrimp - i know angels will eat them.

capekate

Hello
sounds like you have come down with MTS bad! lol... But thats ok... we love MTS haha..
Seems that you are doing the right thing, researching what you would like in your tank first.. asking questions secondly.
As far as a Discus tank goes you can read the Discus Care Sheet under the Discus tank section for more info.
I have Discus and Angel fish together in two of my tanks due to aggression in their own tanks. Discus can be pretty nasty to each other, being cichlids. And best if introduced together at once. My angels and Discus do not bother each other, tho they bothered their own species. I had to separate my two angelfish and had to separate the remaining two Discus due to aggression. You will see in my siggy. Had one Discus attacking another so bad that the stress finally killed it. Now if an angel gets alittle too hot headed, the Discus with it has no problem standing up to it. With no physical aggression just showy huff and puff going on.
About adding a Pleco, not sure about that, someone will let you know, but I believe the higher temp needed for the Discus makes it too warm for a Pleco who prefers temps 72*-79*. Same thing goes for cories, unless you can find a species that prefers the higher temps. Cardinal tetras do great with them, as does rainbow fish.
good luck.. get that cycle going... and wait til you have a mature tank before introducing the Discus!

~ kate

joshthefisherman

I was at the mall last night saw an amazing discus tank in the salon they look ausome in a wel planted tank and with neons its pure beauty

susitna-flower

If you want a discus tank the first commitment you have to make is to keeping the water crystal clear....They require low ph, and extremely low nitrates in a fully cycled tank.

Some suggestions.

An RO water filter system brings the ph down, as well as making sure there are no impurities.

IF there would be any way to plumb the RO system to run new water in and old out of the tank all the time you would have the perfect set up....THIS is dreaming......

GBRs would be a good tank mates.

FL CommunityFans

No clue what this is. I'll have to look into what you have mentioned. Plenty of time for that though Thanks for the info of the RO system. With this system you can run water in and out keeping it fresh, or needs to be hooked up to regular plumbing you are saying?

SereneReyn

i disagree. they prefer a low Ph, that's true, but it isn't absolutely necessary. an RO system is kinda over the top, imo... sure it'd be great if money and space weren't considerations... but realistically you don't need it.

FL CommunityFans

oi vey. Looked at what an RO system is. Looks like the filtration system we have setup for our own drinking water. If I were to do that, I'd want to do it right, with constructing a proper case/mount etc and all. Then of course I'd want to hide it all away! lol. Maybe I'll make something like that a project for the summer.

capekate

I agree Serene...
the RO system is great for breeders with LOTS of Discus or those that want to spend the money on them, but they are not necessary for success with Discus Keeping. I do not use the RO water. I use my tap water treated with PRIME the same way I do with all my tanks. The Discus are fine with this routine. Keeping the water pristine is a matter of more water changes and keeping the substrate clean of debris.

As SusitnaFlower said is correct they need a low PH, low nitrates and pristine water conditions. IF the need is to bring down the PH, then I can see why Susitna mentioned the RO system. But hopefully there are other ways besides spending a bundle to achieve this goal. Something that is natural and not chemically added as well.
~ kate