Jmaldo's Discus Build

Thanks Everyone.
As mentioned with the loss of #8 and now #7. It is just a bit confusing and discouraging at the same time. From all the research I have done and giving these "Discus" the "Best" with water changes, food, etc.. and they get the most attention. I am realizing why the majority of hobbyist say they are the most difficult to keep.
Look at our gang, everyone has a different type of setup from bare bottom to full blown planted tanks. Hard to soft water, high pH to neutral. From "Discus" only tanks to communities, canister filters and UV to just sponge filters. Most of us do 25% to 90% water changes every other day to once or twice a week even 3 times.
No rhyme or reason.
I have had my random losses keeping a wide range of different fish when I first started, but this is getting ridiculous.
I really disagree with a prophylactic treatment. Just use normal "Quarantine" procedures and have not experienced any type of disease in my tanks.(Knock on Wood).
But coralbandit may be on to something.
At this point I am not throwing in the towel but will proceed full speed ahead with caution of course and get the "Planted Community" build going. And continue to be a spectator and see what "Mother Nature" decides.

Learning all the Time.

Keep positive! Don’t let losing a fish be your downfall! Always look for that silver lining! We are ALL learning and experiencing different scenarios. For every action there is an equal to opposite reaction. Consider it as your opportunity to grow and don’t let it steer you away from the hobby you love. We all have lost fish at some point or another and we all “learn the hard way” so to speak. I believe you will come out of this a much better discus keeper than you imagined. We are all slowly “getting the hang of things” so no one here is better than the other! Keep your confidence and don’t let it get the best of you I have faith you will figure out a solution very soon. Imo you are doing an excellent job at taking care of your discus I just think Mother Nature May have had different plans! She’s always so moody this time of year anyways. Lol you got this!

 

Woooah slow down there Barbra lol getting lots of discus now! kidding! Glad everything is working out for you with your ifishstore discus! But just a little heads up (their discus are always on sale)

Well, I only wanted to get ‘companions’ for the 3 that are the only one of that kind I have now Gee, you’re right - I just checked the iFish site, and he’s just changed the wording a bit! Better to get them now, when they’ll all be about the same age/size - and the weather is good for shipping, right!?

 

Had a "Good" time at the club Auction yesterday. Picked up some plants for the build $40 (Amazon sword, Vals, Hornwort, Java Moss and Water Lettuce). Also, sold the last "6" EBA. (except for the pair) for $40. So, basically a trade. Here is a pic in the 20L QT. Onward I go.

 

Niceee jmaldo looks good! Good deal too!

 

Yay auctions!

 

Update.
The "Discus" are now going to to be treated no different than the other fish I keep and decided to make some changes.
Really tired of looking at the tank with just the "Discus" and "Hatchets" in there, along with the divider. So, I rehomed the pair to the 29 gallon (they spawned and ate the eggs again). The Alpha in the 29 gallon was moved to a 20h. And get ready, moved the adult male EBA along with the two Bolivians in with the other 3 Discus in the 55g.
Also dropped in some "Hornwort" to float. Everyone is fine. pics to follow.

 

Ok, jmaldo , where’s the pix?

 

Oops! "Patience Young Grasshopper", maybe later today after lights on and water change.

 

Oops! "Patience Young Grasshopper", maybe later today after lights on and water change.

Lol! I’m about to do the same! Maybe today the Turqs will cooperate, and let me get some pix I’m beginning to believe that they both either male or female, as I’m seeing some aggression, now. No one has become the obvious boss, and they still eat together without any chasing, but when they’re just hanging out they will face off and start nipping and chasing. Oh my, does this mean I’ll have to get more for that tank.

 

Mine do the same, they hang out then they chase. Then chill and hang out. Been watching the tank the last few days and the two Bolivians are absolute characters. Posting up and sparring with each other, no real aggression then they chill Then get bored and try the same with the EBA, but he just pays them no mind and swims the tank. It's crazy their antics.

Oh my, does this mean I’ll have to get more for that tank.

LOL! You already have "10", how many more you want? I would let everyone settle in for awhile and see if any start to pair off.
I moved my pair to the 29g, just waiting for eggs again. As mentioned by coralbandit just want to see if they are a viable pair.

Learning all the Time!

 

Lights - Camera and ...






Now on to the Water Change!
Oh, by the way, just for reference the male EBA is just shy of 5" acquired from coralbandit last year. And the female is raising about a dozen+ in the 30L. As mentioned just letting her and "Mother Nature" handle it.

 

I would squeeze those sponges in a bucket of tank water before pouring it out to clean them a little without killing the BB.

 

Of course Thedudeiam94
Done and Done. 55g-29g-20h
And the pair spawned again. Let's see if they are getting any better at this parenting thing since they are now alone in the 29g.

 

The female Bolivian has her tube showing so maybe eggs from them soon too ??
The disc look good !

 

LOL! You already have "10", how many more you want? I would let everyone settle in for awhile and see if any start to pair off.
I moved my pair to the 29g, just waiting for eggs again. As mentioned by coralbandit just want to see if they are a viable pair.

Learning all the Time!

Well, when I thought the Turqs might be a pair I figured they could have the 50 gallon all to themselves (the other 10 are in the 75g), but now that it looks like they’re not a pair I got thinking that adding more discus to their tank would keep the aggression from getting out of control. And, you and coralbandit might be selling some juvie’s in the near future

Lights - Camera and ...

View attachment 622701
View attachment 622702

Now on to the Water Change!
Oh, by the way, just for reference the male EBA is just shy of 5" acquired from coralbandit last year. And the female is raising about a dozen+ in the 30L. As mentioned just letting her and "Mother Nature" handle it.

Beautiful jmaldo ! Love the EBA! It seems like your pair of Discus are as determined as Bandit’s! Here’s hoping you get wigglers this time, too!

 

Quick little buggers. After tank maint today. Added 6 EBA fry (4 weeks young) to the 55g. It is a sight to behold, the Discus and Papa EBA, all are hunting. Mother Nature at her finest.

 

Surprise, surprise the EBA fry have all made it through the night.
Decided to put the Alpha back in the 55, so far so good. Appears he has chilled quite bit. So I need to get a QT tank (30L) ready for for some Rams from coralbandit so the SterbaI Cory (4) have also been moved to the 55.Here are some pics.








Oh, and a Super Red Pleco.

 

Can you put just a little thin layer section of sand in for the cories to sift?

 

Can you put just a little thin layer section of sand in for the cories to sift?

Yep, that's the plan.

 

Down to 5. My fault, during tank maint./ water change it appears #5 jumped out. I did not notice until all finished and looking at the tank and noticed only 3. Found it behind the stand. Just walked away a few times and not that long.

Learning all the Time.

 

IMO my jumper was chased out by a breeding pair ...
Bum deal Joe.

 

Oh no! Really sorry!!

Always try to get them back in water to check. I had a jumper that was out for a while and still survived.

 

Down to 5. My fault, during tank maint./ water change it appears #5 jumped out. I did not notice until all finished and looking at the tank and noticed only 3. Found it behind the stand. Just walked away a few times and not that long.

Learning all the Time.

Oh no! I’m awfully sorry jmaldo It’s bad enough to lose one when it just doesn’t thrive, but yours were doing so well! I’ve been busier than a one armed paper hanger these last couple of weeks, and this morning I found myself walking over to the microwave to put the orange juice away - sometimes we just depend on auto-pilot, and it doesn’t work!

 

Sorry to hear this loss, what a shame
BarbaraLocke good to see you! HiiI there, hope your well!

 

Thanks! Everyone,

Always try to get them back in water to check. I had a jumper that was out for a while and still survived.

I have had "Luck" in the past with the "Hatchets". I suppose it was just to long out of water.

IMO my jumper was chased out by a breeding pair ...

Maybe, but everyone was getting along. I took the tops off to give them a "Good" cleaning. It was just a few minutes.

It’s bad enough to lose one when it just doesn’t thrive, but yours were doing so well!

Agree!

Well, I did add some sand to about 1/3rd of the tank for the Cories
Wrapped some hornwort around a piece of driftwood.
Pics to follow.
Also, ordered some more "Plants" from Aquatic Arts, first time with them. Should be here Weds/Thurs.

And... the pair spawned again. This will be the 6th or maybe 7th for them.

Learning all the Time!

 

Plants arrived from Aquatic Arts. Look "Good" except the Madagascar Lace arrived with the stems detached from the bulb. I have had bulb plants arrive with the stems intact in the past. I sent them an email, suggested they should have wrapped it in a paper towel. Hopefully it will bounce back. Also,a Cardinal Plant (1 small stem). The Water Wisteria and Brazilian Pennywort are floating till the weekend.

 

I love my pennywort. It does best anchored to some wood and allowed to reach the surface. The surface leaves always look very healthy. I think I am preferring that over frogbit these days.

 

tfreema
Agree, the Brazilian Pennywort along with Red Tiger Lotus are my favorite plants. When I started this build, I moved what I had to another tank and ended up getting some "BBA" decided to toss. Going to be an "Underwater Gardener" this weekend.


Just a touch of Under watering Gardening. Not ready for "Prime-time" so no pics just yet. Was per-occupied with the water changes and getting the tank ready for my acquisitions from coralbandit
I did add about 1/2" of black sand to the 55g.
And....
My pair are still trying to get it right, this is the 8-9 time.
Have another spawn, she gave up on using the driftwood and decided to use the Qanvee filter. And I noticed they are both more attentive this time, taking turns fanning them. Not ready to start breeding but as coralbandit mentioned just want to know I have a viable pair.

The 33L QT, ready for the "Rams" from coralbandit



And the "Eggs" are gone again.

 

Sending you an extra pair so be ready .. They are on there way [pm sent ]..
I figured I would bonus you a pair of Dark black/EBR hybrids to complete a good color scheme ..

 

Wow!
An early Xmas present, "Thanks" coralbandit

 

Well had a few days vacation needed to be used, so some extra time with the fish.
The "Rams" arrived from coralbandit on Friday. Thanks again, Tom.
They are "Beautiful" specimens. The pair of "Darks" are unreal, their pelvic fins have some unique coloration, blue/orange. The "Golds" have orange heads with white/translucent bodies. But were terrors in the "QT" they got moved to the 55 Community today. I know I should quarantine longer but they were chasing the others nonstop. The "Hybrid" is also one of a kind. See for yourself.

 

Also, threw in some plants in the 55. Not bad for a start. But it appears the "EBA" doesn't appreciate my choice in plants he has spent the majority of today attacking them. LOL
Oh, I forgot a pic of the "Hybrid" and more pics of the 55 inhabitants.

 

Haha! My EBA hates my plants too.

Very nice rams!

 

Those Rams are stunners! Coral hooked you up

 

"Thanks" Everyone.
Ok, just realized I mentioned planting but forgot the pic. As someone has said here or on another forum, no pics it does not exist. So here it is.

 

Very nice! Love those rams, very cute fish!

 

"Thanks" Everyone.
Ok, just realized I mentioned planting but forgot the pic. As someone has said here or on another forum, no pics it does not exist. So here it is.

View attachment 629170

Wow! jmaldo, your new RAMs are gorgeous! I can see why coralbandit is held in such high esteem! Your newly planted tank is beautiful, too!! Hope your EBA doesn’t tear it up!

 

Hope your EBA doesn’t tear it up!

He is a character, I think he is bored and misses his mate. Taking a break from EBA breeding have to keep them apart or they breed like rabbits. I got them from coralbandit also know as the "Ram" guru. Highly recommend.
Thanks, the planting is a start, I have had success at 78 degree tanks, not sure how this will go at 84. Time will tell.

Learning all the Time.

 

It takes time with plants. Aponogeton crispus grow good as does wisteria. Giant hygrowphelia also grows as do amazon swords. Swords grow slower. Looks like your blue diamonds are a bit darker with the plants. Looking good.

 

It takes time with plants. Aponogeton crispus grow good as does wisteria. Giant hygrowphelia also grows as do amazon swords. Swords grow slower. Looks like your blue diamonds are a bit darker with the plants. Looking good.

I noticed that as well. Maybe due to the dark substrate and background along with the additional driftwood and plants they look much deeper blue than when you first got them. All in all they look great and so does the tank! Keep up the good work! Lucky you got some nice dark rams also! making me want some myself! Everything looks great!