54 Gallon Corner Tank Build (Discus)

Sigh. This looks great; but can you do it again in 18 months ?

 

Lol! It like buying concert tickets . Everything’s sold out . Oh well.

 

NC122606 My goodness! The strains!

 

What do you guys think? Bad idea to move him to the discus tank? It has been about 10 days since he’s been in here, he is the only one left.


He has been eating but I would love to hear from you.

 

I would suggest keeping him in QT but maybe adding some fake plants, decor, wood and that sorts. Maybe that will help him endure the QT session. Most rams aren't suited to totally bare tanks.

 

I would suggest keeping him in QT but maybe adding some fake plants, decor, wood and that sorts. Maybe that will help him endure the QT session. Most rams aren't suited to totally bare tanks.

That’s fine, I do have an extra piece of driftwood. So thing I am worried about, this rock.

It’s been in my 29 gallon for over a year, I’m not sure if it would do anything to the pH, I plan to use this to weigh it down.

Fixed it. I had to DIY it but I love it! All the rocks in here do not buff or lower pH. How does it look?

 

NC for the discus I give it a full month before I move. Some go 6 weeks. If you add any it starts new.
Tank looks good!!

 

NC for the discus I give it a full month before I move. Some go 6 weeks. If you add any it starts new.
Tank looks good!!

Thanks! Hopefully it helps him out a bit. I’m live recording it through FaceTime and he is out exploring.

 

This is going really good! He use to always hide in that corner all the time. He is exploring now!!! Sorry but taking a pic of a phone is not great.





His color is getting a bit better! Also the mold stuff is on the driftwood now so that’s good.

 

Just chillin’

 

He looks to be doing better

 

His Sclera is turning into that nice crimson "cichlid" red. I'd say he's doing really well.

 

Back to my tank after a week away! I kind of spooked my ram but he looks great!


He was orange before, I think I spooked him though.

 

He needs company - rams do a lot better when they have a friend.

 

He needs company - rams do a lot better when they have a friend.

I mean I could pick up some Cardinal Tetra or Rummynose. Or even a Kuhli Loach, Pearl gourami, maybe even an angelfish?

Pearl Gourami would be going in my 29.

 

I think jake means more rams?

If you are up to it I suggest picking some up from coralbandit- some of the best rams around.

 

Ok...

Power might go out so it looks like I might have to stir up the tanks, hopefully it doesn’t get to the point where I have to do hot water.

Ok no power outage! Yet.
So I was looking on AquaBid.com, so how many rams do I get from Coralbandit for 49.99?

 

You could probably PM him here.

 

Yes pm him. He’s still around.

 

Agree, coralbandit has the best stock, bar none. Just realized 75% of the fish in my tanks I have purchased from him.
Highly recommend.

 

Ugh I feel like I want to quit. Went to feed the discus and found my red rose face down in the sand...




I have a few barriers and I thought it would work but still I guess it didn’t. This fish I’ll admit was at the bottom of the pecking order, he was eating fine up in till this point. I think he died from stress, other discus bullying it. I didn’t notice it because nobody would really do it when I wasn’t looking, he seemed fine when I saw him. All the other discus look fine, fins up and everything. I see nothing wrong. I’m thinking I may have to get rid of the orange and turquoise if it doesn’t stop because this is getting out of control. I honestly don’t know what to do. I am moving all the plants to the back and other things to block sight and stuff, just to make it a bit better at hiding it. I guess this is my fault for not noticing it earlier.

 

If discus are anything like angels; removing the 'aggressor' of this nature isn't going to help since they are establishing a pecking order. If you remove some new ones will just take their place.
-
The only time I've found that removal helps is when a specific pair develop a grudge (like when a 'dating' pair decide to break up). However, what I found - at least with angels - is pecking order aggression eventually works itself out - in my case it takes a while - the last time was about 3 to 4 months but once they worked it out everyone got along just fine.

I’m thinking I may have to get rid of the orange and turquoise if it doesn’t stop because this is getting out of control. I honestly don’t know what to do. I am moving all the plants to the back and other things to block sight and stuff, just to make it a bit better at hiding it. I guess this is my fault for not noticing it earlier.

 

Wild Discus? .....tricky! PH must be between 5.5 and 6.5, and high temp up to 90 sometimes.

You are going to have a full time job buffering that PH to where they need it to be, especially using sand. That can get expensive, and algae outbreaks are going to be your headache if you use phosphorous based buffers. My algae blooms went away immediately once I stop using.

I use Muriatic acid, 5 gallon buckets, and 1 - 1.5 mil per bucket. Test water in 3 days should be about 6. Maybe add a bit more, or less for desired results. Problem is: if you don't have natural water softners in tank the water will start to buffer up, so you will have to stay on top of your twice weekly water changes. which I do anyways, but I don't have to because my substrate keeps the water buffered below 6. This method will keep you honest with your cleaning routines. Make sure the tank mates can handle the same water parameters.

Most of us use clear bottom tanks because discus have a tendency to be picky about too much going on in the tank; it can stress them out, and they will get sick or not eat.

I have done both ways, and it will be up to you to figure out what is best for your lifestyle, desires, and set-up.

That fish didn't die from aggressive behavior from other fish....; environmental. Fins and body look too good.
Check all your levels, and temp. You may lose more if you don't figure it out.

Don't give up, it's a marathon, not a sprint.

 

It's tough when we have a loss, especially when "out of the blue". I have struggled with this issue from the beginning of my journey. I tried everything moving decor, plants, removing the aggressors and had temporary success. But... It appears its their nature and just a luck of the draw with cichilds. No way to watch the tank 24-7.
It got to the point of "Ok" since I lost that one which one is next in the pecking order? Hopefully, you have better luck.

 

Wild Discus? .....tricky! PH must be between 5.5 and 6.5, and high temp up to 90 sometimes.

You are going to have a full time job buffering that PH to where they need it to be, especially using sand. That can get expensive, and algae outbreaks are going to be your headache if you use phosphorous based buffers. My algae blooms went away immediately once I stop using.

I use Muriatic acid, 5 gallon buckets, and 1 - 1.5 mil per bucket. Test water in 3 days should be about 6. Maybe add a bit more, or less for desired results. Problem is: if you don't have natural water softners in tank the water will start to buffer up, so you will have to stay on top of your twice weekly water changes. which I do anyways, but I don't have to because my substrate keeps the water buffered below 6. This method will keep you honest with your cleaning routines. Make sure the tank mates can handle the same water parameters.

Most of us use clear bottom tanks because discus have a tendency to be picky about too much going on in the tank; it can stress them out, and they will get sick or not eat.

I have done both ways, and it will be up to you to figure out what is best for your lifestyle, desires, and set-up.

I thought rose red was a man made strain?

Do you keep wilds? Would love to see.

 

If discus are anything like angels; removing the 'aggressor' of this nature isn't going to help since they are establishing a pecking order. If you remove some new ones will just take their place.
-
The only time I've found that removal helps is when a specific pair develop a grudge (like when a 'dating' pair decide to break up). However, what I found - at least with angels - is pecking order aggression eventually works itself out - in my case it takes a while - the last time was about 3 to 4 months but once they worked it out everyone got along just fine.

Thanks I guess that won’t work. I’ll see how it work because now the discus have the whole front of the tank open but the back where the breeding area is now covered. They can still get back there though.

Wild Discus? .....tricky! PH must be between 5.5 and 6.5, and high temp up to 90 sometimes.

You are going to have a full time job buffering that PH to where they need it to be, especially using sand. That can get expensive, and algae outbreaks are going to be your headache if you use phosphorous based buffers. My algae blooms went away immediately once I stop using.

I use Muriatic acid, 5 gallon buckets, and 1 - 1.5 mil per bucket. Test water in 3 days should be about 6. Maybe add a bit more, or less for desired results. Problem is: if you don't have natural water softners in tank the water will start to buffer up, so you will have to stay on top of your twice weekly water changes. which I do anyways, but I don't have to because my substrate keeps the water buffered below 6. This method will keep you honest with your cleaning routines. Make sure the tank mates can handle the same water parameters.

Most of us use clear bottom tanks because discus have a tendency to be picky about too much going on in the tank; it can stress them out, and they will get sick or not eat.

I have done both ways, and it will be up to you to figure out what is best for your lifestyle, desires, and set-up.

Thanks for all this info! Rose red discus are actually man made, I wanted a rose red because they looked like a wild.

That fish didn't die from aggressive behavior from other fish....; environmental. Fins and body look too good.
Check all your levels, and temp. You may lose more if you don't figure it out.

Yeah that’s what I am confused on, I had to go away from the tanks for a week and I didn’t get to do water changes at all. But I don’t see how a week of no water changes would be that bad. Temp seems fine at 82 - 83. I’ll have to see.

Don't give up, it's a marathon, not a sprint.

Thanks!

It's tough when we have a loss, especially when "out of the blue". I have struggled with this issue from the beginning of my journey. I tried everything moving decor, plants, removing the aggressors and had temporary success. But... It appears its their nature and just a luck of the draw with cichilds. No way to watch the tank 24-7.
It got to the point of "Ok" since I lost that one which one is next in the pecking order? Hopefully, you have better luck.

Thank you! I tired moving everything but still didn’t help the aggression at the time and I guess it got too bad. Sadly my yellow discus is next, I’ll have to 100 percent figure out something. Yellow discus and my Blue seem to go at it a bit but it hasn’t gotten too bad. White Butterfly is the smallest right now.

I thought rose red was a man made strain?

Do you keep wilds? Would love to see.

Yup man made.

 

But update on a few other things.
I figured I’d leave the light off for my ram in my QT and put a dark blanket around the tank. It seems to be doing a lot better but I have to get more fish for my QT.

All other discus are doing fine, they seem to enjoy the extra swimming room in the front. Also they have taken to chasing a fly that is flying around the house.

Blue Tiger Turquoise is a bit mean though.







Last picture looks kind of distorted.





Plant makes the tank look darker now which I don’t like. But I’ll figure something out, I have a few extra wood pieces I could use.

 

I see you are growing a bit of cyano...

 

I see you are growing a bit of cyano...

I didn’t even know that was Cyano... Thanks, I’ll do some research, I just saw it and thought I was algae.

 

If your substrate is very fine and deep (3 or 4 inches) it might be a short term by product. I used chemi-clean to remove mine and it has stayed away. What i've been told is deep fine substrate will likely product nitrate eating bacteria. The by-product of this consumption is nitrogen and there is a specific type of cyano that loves nitrogen. Both of my tanks with fine sand went through a cyle - and both eventually cleaned up (though i did use chemi-clean on one but not the other).

 

Thanks I guess that won’t work. I’ll see how it work because now the discus have the whole front of the tank open but the back where the breeding area is now covered. They can still get back there though.

Thanks for all this info! Rose red discus are actually man made, I wanted a rose red because they looked like a wild.


Yeah that’s what I am confused on, I had to go away from the tanks for a week and I didn’t get to do water changes at all. But I don’t see how a week of no water changes would be that bad. Temp seems fine at 82 - 83. I’ll have to see.


Thanks!


Thank you! I tired moving everything but still didn’t help the aggression at the time and I guess it got too bad. Sadly my yellow discus is next, I’ll have to 100 percent figure out something. Yellow discus and my Blue seem to go at it a bit but it hasn’t gotten too bad. White Butterfly is the smallest right now.


Yup man made.

No WILDS anymore, just a few

 

If your substrate is very fine and deep (3 or 4 inches) it might be a short term by product. I used chemi-clean to remove mine and it has stayed away. What i've been told is deep fine substrate will likely product nitrate eating bacteria. The by-product of this consumption is nitrogen and there is a specific type of cyano that loves nitrogen. Both of my tanks with fine sand went through a cyle - and both eventually cleaned up (though i did use chemi-clean on one but not the other).

Thanks, I think my sand bed is like 2” maybe more in the back. Now I know about chemi clean because I was doing some saltwater research. I know it helps with red Cyano in marine tanks, does it work in freshwater tanks? I think it will help with blue green.

No WILDS anymore, just a few


View attachment 705267

Nice!!!

 

I used it in freshwater. I avoid salt water. could never get plants to grow in salt water

Thanks, I think my sand bed is like 2” maybe more in the back. Now I know about chemi clean because I was doing some saltwater research. I know it helps with red Cyano in marine tanks, does it work in freshwater tanks? I think it will help with blue green.

 

Does anyone know of the Cyanobacteria in my tank is toxic? I’m kind of a nervous wreck about that stuff. Just asking if it’s toxic to me or like pets, because I saw that a few are.

 

Update: I’m not dead

Anyways this is my new best time for water changes! It only took me an hour to finish 3 tanks.

 

Does anyone know of the Cyanobacteria in my tank is toxic? I’m kind of a nervous wreck about that stuff. Just asking if it’s toxic to me or like pets, because I saw that a few are.

I think most species of cyano are toxic, to pets and humans, besides spirulina? I would wash your hands well if you handle it

 

I think most species of cyano are toxic, to pets and humans, besides spirulina? I would wash your hands well if you handle it

Ah ok, yeah I’ve washed my hands pretty well. Didn’t really handle it though. Not like I’ll eat it or anything, I don’t think breathing it in is bad or else I would been sick a long time ago.

 

Ah ok, yeah I’ve washed my hands pretty well. Didn’t really handle it though. Not like I’ll eat it or anything, I don’t think breathing it in is bad or else I would been sick though.

Yeah, I don’t think breathing it in is bad, or I would be dead by now. Try not to boil anything with cyano on it, apparently the toxins will vaporize?

If you do feel woozy after an encounter with cyano I would check in with a health professional or that poison center place.

 

Yeah, I don’t think breathing it in is bad, or I would be dead by now. Try not to boil anything with cyano on it, apparently the toxins will vaporize?

If you do feel woozy after an encounter with cyano I would check in with a health professional or that poison center place.

Haha, yeah. Just like a chemical you don’t want to eat it or get it in your eyes. Or like a zoanthid, don’t eat, eyes, and boil.

 

Hey NC sorry to hear about the red . I think you need something more to break the line of sight. Maybe some driftwood would help. Did I send you the giant hygro plant? That grows to the top and is bushy enough to give a place to hide. As to the cyano I had it in a tank with ecocompleat and I vacuumed it up on a regural basis. Also used the api co2 booster to finally get rid of it.
Discus look great!