Starting A 125 Discus Tank.

[86 ssinit]

Got some new additions!!

Thanks Coral!!!

 

[angelcraze]

Where's the jealous emojI lol? That is a dream tank wow! I'm not really actually jealous, not in a bad way, but I LOVE your tank haha! Ok maybe a bit jalouse you can get such amazing fish. They are magnificent

Newbies looking like they are really enjoying the tank, like right at home

 

[jake37]

I wanted to ask since I planned on having a gravel discus tank and most people have bare bottom; did you start with small discus or mostly adults ?

Also what are the little blue fishes below the discus - some sort of ram ?

Got some new additions!!

Thanks Coral!!!

 

[86 ssinit]

I started with 2” discus . It’s long but if you go to the beginning you can see them from when I got them till now . The little blue fish are electric blue rams from coral bandit. I got those on Tuesday and have to say they acclimated to my water almost instantly . I kept them in a 5 gallon qt tank for only 3 days. Moved them in with discus after 2 pairs layed eggs in 5g. Now have a pair of golds watching the eggs (just in case). Great dither fish that get along great with the discus. They stay mostly on the bottom so whatever food gets under the discus they get.

 

[jake37]

Thanks. I guess I was thinking they were electric blue rams but the colour is a bit nicer than the ones i've seen in the stores; or at least very different. Dang I want to go ahead and move so I can get a larger tank. Oh well patience. Gotta practice my patience.

Oh one thing I did want to ask how difficult was it raising them with gravel and how frequent and robust did you gravel vacuum. In my current tank I mostly just vacuum the top loosely since the plants are so prevalent but in the back by the spong filters I go quite deep since a lot of muck get drawn to the sponges.

I started with 2” discus . It’s long but if you go to the beginning you can see them from when I got them till now . The little blue fish are electric blue rams from coral bandit. I got those on Tuesday and have to say they acclimated to my water almost instantly . I kept them in a 5 gallon qt tank for only 3 days. Moved them in with discus after 2 pairs layed eggs in 5 gallon. Now have a pair of golds watching the eggs (just in case). Great dither fish that get along great with the discus. They stay mostly on the bottom so whatever food gets under the discus they get.

 

[86 ssinit]

I remove 60 gallontwice a week and gravel vac the whole 60. Yes allways more by the intakes. Not worried about bacteria in the substrate. There’s plenty in the filters and with the constant water changes the water is allways good .

 

[jake37]

Ok I think I can do that - my issue with vacuum of the gravel isn't bacteria but the plant density. My tank is a bit more of a jungle where as yours is well organized. I keep debating between my next tank being 3 feet deep or 4 feet deep; I know 2 feet isn't enough for the plants but I suspect 4 is overkill. Hum 96 x 48 x 24 - hum probably not a good idea.

I remove 60 gallontwice a week and gravel vac the whole 60. Yes allways more by the intakes. Not worried about bacteria in the substrate. There’s plenty in the filters and with the constant water changes the water is allways good .

 

[86 ssinit]

3 feet deep would need some heavy duty lights to get to the plants. You’d need a scuba mask just to plant them. I had a 30” deep tank and it was tough to clean or grab something on the bottom. 24” is deep enough! You just have to start trimming plants. I trim mine once a month otherwise it’s a mess.

 

[jake37]

I wasn't clear. 3 or 4 feet front to back. Regardless 23 high.

 

[86 ssinit]

Lol that’s a big tank!!

 

[jake37]

But would 4 feet be too deep for a tank? I could actually plant large plants like swords and aponogeton and still have clear space in front like your tank Of course I would never see the rear again nor the clown loaches but we can't have everything ?

Lol that’s a big tank!!

 

[86 ssinit]

Mine is only 18” wide. 48” is really wide and will take up a big footprint on your floor. 96” long is 8feet so you’ve got plenty of swimming room. If you plant 3’ on each side and leave the middle open with maybe a peice of driftwood would give you a nice setup. Thing with 4’ most would set that up in the middle of a floor so you can get all around it. Setting it up against a wall will make a lot of it real hard to clean. Just my 2 cents .

 

[jake37]

I'll most likely go with 3 feet wide and 23 inches tall. I plan on leaving 2 feet behind the tank so I can get a stool behind to do whatever from the back. The room will be 16 feet wide so I can put tanks against both walls (leaving 2 feet behind them) and still have 6 or 7 feet free down the middle of the room. I look at my 120 (which is 2x4); and i'm not too serious about having 4 feet wide but I know 2 feet wide is not enough for these plants. Given the space they would love 2 feet width each.

 

[BarbaraLocke]

I'll most likely go with 3 feet wide and 23 inches tall. I plan on leaving 2 feet behind the tank so I can get a stool behind to do whatever from the back. The room will be 16 feet wide so I can put tanks against both walls (leaving 2 feet behind them) and still have 6 or 7 feet free down the middle of the room. I look at my 120 (which is 2x4); and i'm not too serious about having 4 feet wide but I know 2 feet wide is not enough for these plants. Given the space they would love 2 feet width each.

Spoken like a man who has been seriously bitten!

 

[BarbaraLocke]

I started with 2” discus . It’s long but if you go to the beginning you can see them from when I got them till now . The little blue fish are electric blue rams from coral bandit. I got those on Tuesday and have to say they acclimated to my water almost instantly . I kept them in a 5 gallon qt tank for only 3 days. Moved them in with discus after 2 pairs layed eggs in 5 gallon. Now have a pair of golds watching the eggs (just in case). Great dither fish that get along great with the discus. They stay mostly on the bottom so whatever food gets under the discus they get.

And, I’ve gotta say that coralbandit ’s EBR’s color outshines the discus!

 

[86 ssinit]

Yes unbelievable color. Those weren’t even what I wanted he threw those in. The golds are still in qt. Because both the gold pair and the blue pair laid eggs on day 2 in qt. Unfortunately all eggs eaten . Though I am glad . I had no idea what to do with them. But his rams adjusted to my tanks instantly. I mean those blues were up there fighting with the discus at first feeding . They fit in like they belong! Just great fish!

 

[BarbaraLocke]

Yes unbelievable color. Those weren’t even what I wanted he threw those in. The golds are still in qt. Because both the gold pair and the blue pair laid eggs on day 2 in qt. Unfortunately all eggs eaten . Though I am glad . I had no idea what to do with them. But his rams adjusted to my tanks instantly. I mean those blues were up there fighting with the discus at first feeding . They fit in like they belong! Just great fish!

Well, maybe the Bandit should put a disclaimer on his rams that they like to breed like rabbits?! I was so tempted to choose a couple of his rams for my Xmas prize, but was afraid they couldn’t take the 90F temp my large Discus tank was set at back then. I’ve since been able to get the Discus used to 84F, but it was a sloooow process! Just in time to get some of the little Santarems, though, and when the guppies are gone I’ve got their tank earmarked for EBR’s!

 

[jake37]

I really liked the gold coralbandit sent me a while back. I'm not unhappy with the ones I picked up from the lfs a couple of weeks ago - they have a lot of personality but not quite as much colour as the previous ones. If he is still breeding them in about 18 months I'll order some more but time changes and people change and I'll just have to wait and see where things are in the future. I'd like to keep about 10 rams and 6 discus in an 8x3x2 (feet) tank but we shall see what happens.

 

[86 ssinit]

Shrimp are doing good with the discus . And pulled these guys out doing a water change.

 

[Cheesecake]

Shrimp are doing good with the discus . View attachment 675888And pulled these guys out doing a water change.View attachment 675889

I feel like the discus would eat them.

 

[86 ssinit]

They eat what they can catch. But not enough to stop the shrimp from growing. The big blue one is berried.

 

[jake37]

What do you mean by berried ?

 

[86 ssinit]

When female shrimp are carrying eggs it’s called berried.

 

[86 ssinit]

Right under the discus eyes .

 

[jake37]

Did the rams dig the pit or was it left over. For a minute I expected to see wrigglers but now i'm thinking it was just eggs.

Right under the discus eyes .

 

[86 ssinit]

Yes just eggs!! They are in the process of laying they. Thought it was funny. Discus have no clue.

 

[jmaldo]

Good catch and vid.
They picked a "Great" spot, well hidden.
LOL, the Discus were all watching you "Feed Us".

Congrats - Good Luck!

 

[86 ssinit]

My bosemanI are growing and it looks like one is a male .

 

[86 ssinit]

Just some more pics. Tanks still running well. All getting along. The rams are still lasting eggs and the discus aren’t .

 

[86 ssinit]

Ok I’m bored . I got a new camera with a micro lens .

 

[86 ssinit]

 

[jake37]

Long fin gold ram. Hum not sure.

 

[86 ssinit]

Long fin gold ram. Hum not sure.

What’s not to like?

 

[FinalFins]

I really like the one with the deep red head in the background... that kind of coloration is to die for.

 

[jake37]

Sorry no offense; for some reason i like them with regular fins. My two little ones haven't grown much (I wonder if they are some sort of new minatures) but i've had them for a while now - 3 or 4 months i guess and they seem happy enough laying eggs twice a month or so. I'm setting up a 40B now to remove the other fishes in with them. I like the colours on yours though to be honest i like the ones on mine also - just not sure i like the long fins.

 

[86 ssinit]

So your debating long fins

 

[jake37]

Not really a debate; for some reason I don't like them. I mean they have nice colour in them but they look unnatural. It is the same way with angels; i generally do not like the fancy fins one; like wise for swordtails and a number of other fishes. Just me i guess since a lot of people like them.

 

[86 ssinit]

I hear you. I too usually don’t care for the long fins on other fish. But rams I accept .

 

[jmaldo]

Beautiful Pics and the Long Fins. Wow!
I have been wanting a pair since coralbandit posted pics last year. Been planning on them for awhile. Placed the order earlier this week along with some Clown loaches.
I mentioned to him, soon his fish will outnumber the other inhabitants of my fish tanks.
He is the "Ram" whisperer.

Learning all the Time.

 

[86 ssinit]

Yes his fish are great. Waiting to see how those new discus work out. Maybe we could get him to breed some leopard discus . Hint hint!! Coral are you out there.

 

[jake37]

Yea I really like his fishes - after i move in 15 months i'll probably put in a decent order if he is still selling fishes. A year is a long time but right now all of my tanks are full or overfull. I'm replacing my 20 long with a 40B and already realize that it will be overstocked without buying new fishes.

 

[StarGirl]

I like the long fins on the Rams!

 

[StarGirl]

jake37 I like all of the Rams.

 

[RollaPear]

86 ssinit That gold long fin ram is a beaut!

 

[86 ssinit]

still playing with the camera .

 

[86 ssinit]

Wow I just realized it’s been a full year now since I started this discus journey. It’s been fun and I’m happy with the way it turned out. The planted tank is doing great. Did my fish grow to their full potential? I don’t think so. Still time I’m guessing they may still grow for 6 more months. But As of now I’m thinking the planted tank does limit growth. Though it’s fine for me others may want to think about this if looking to grow big discus.

Thanks Nikm! You got me back into them .

So since I’m thinking they may have grown bigger in a bb tank I may start another. I have a 45 not being used so if I can find some nice looking discus I may try again . Ive read of people growing 6+” discus in small tanks so I may try this approach and buy another tank later down the line if they grow. I have 5 tanks running now. 3 are shrimp. So I’m going to have to get rid of One or more of them first. I do think I’ve run the course with shrimp.what I’ve learned. Water changes are liked by both fish and plants!! Plant life has been great in this tank. I do use liquid ferts. The flourish line but I haven’t added a root tab in months. Fish waste groups up under plants! Lots of vacuuming to get rid of it. Cherry shrimp in a discus tank does work . But shrimplets in the waste water doubles time for a water change . I save as many as 20 at every water change. So if not looking for more work dont get them. Even if I try to ignore them I allways see them in the slop sink! 24/7 lighting is great! Have it on all my tanks now .

So thanks all for reading about my journey here and please continue.

 

[NC122606]

Wow I just realized it’s been a full year now since I started this discus journey. It’s been fun and I’m happy with the way it turned out. The planted tank is doing great. Did my fish grow to their full potential? I don’t think so. Still time I’m guessing they may still grow for 6 more months. But As of now I’m thinking the planted tank does limit growth. Though it’s fine for me others may want to think about this if looking to grow big discus.

Thanks Nikm! You got me back into them .

So since I’m thinking they may have grown bigger in a bb tank I may start another. I have a 45 not being used so if I can find some nice looking discus I may try again . Ive read of people growing 6+” discus in small tanks so I may try this approach and buy another tank later down the line if they grow. I have 5 tanks running now. 3 are shrimp. So I’m going to have to get rid of One or more of them first. I do think I’ve run the course with shrimp.View attachment 700855what I’ve learned. Water changes are liked by both fish and plants!! Plant life has been great in this tank. I do use liquid ferts. The flourish line but I haven’t added a root tab in months. Fish waste groups up under plants! Lots of vacuuming to get rid of it. Cherry shrimp in a discus tank does work . But shrimplets in the waste water doubles time for a water change . I save as many as 20 at every water change. So if not looking for more work dont get them. Even if I try to ignore them I allways see them in the slop sink! 24/7 lighting is great! Have it on all my tanks now .

So thanks all for reading about my journey here and please continue.

Cherry Shrimp I would love to try. Also I see a fat and happy rose red. Yeah on thing that I hate doing is vaccuming under the plant and stuff, but atleast I get it out.

 

[86 ssinit]

A pic from todayon a sad note I found the blue long fin ram dead today. I’m not so sure these rams are good for this warm water. It was only 2yrs old. I’ve kept Rams for5yrs in 78-79 degree water.

 

[jake37]

This is something i wonder about with great curiosity. For example some folks I have chatted with say that 77 and 78 are fine; but i know coralbandit has said 82 is the min for rams. For a long time i kept mine at 79 (only had him 5 months) but raised it to 81 after peer pressure. His mate died a week after power went out for 24 hours and temp dropped to 72 (bloated up like a ballon). I don't claim to be an expert on rams or even very knowledgeable but am interested in what a good temp is for them - i do know from experience they hate change.

on a sad note I found the blue long fin ram dead today. I’m not so sure these rams are good for this warm water. It was only 2yrs old. I’ve kept Rams for5yrs in 78-79 degree water.

 

[FinalFins]

This is something i wonder about with great curiosity. For example some folks I have chatted with say that 77 and 78 are fine; but i know coralbandit has said 82 is the min for rams. For a long time i kept mine at 79 (only had him 5 months) but raised it to 81 after peer pressure. His mate died a week after power went out for 24 hours and temp dropped to 72 (bloated up like a ballon). I don't claim to be an expert on rams or even very knowledgeable but am interested in what a good temp is for them - i do know from experience they hate change.

Everyone has different experiences. People like coralbandit have raised rams for a decade or more and he is only giving his experience based on his rams and I'm sure many folk have success in high 70s with gbr too and have done well.