Starting A 125 Discus Tank.

[86 ssinit]

Well I started a second discus tank. So I haven’t been posting on these guys. All is well here!! I change water 3times a week at 50%. Plants are all growing good my dwarf lilies are all growing now after there dormant period. So adding some red to the tank. Haven’t added anything since corals rams about 3-4months back. Believe they're still growing. And instead of all hanging as a pack some are starting to find there own spots amongst the plants at night to rest. Which is pretty cool.

 

[jake37]

Your lily seems a bit more green than mine. Do you know what type it is ? Mine are Nymphaea stellata

 

[86 ssinit]

Jake my lighting is 24/7 so different intensity. Here’s morning light

 

[86 ssinit]

So I went down to clean tanks this morn and found this.seems this brown and red have laid eggs!! Who would’ve guessed! I didn’t even know they hooked up. Ok so now what do do? Wanted to change water but the eggs are within 3” of the top of the tank. Also the eggs are red. Never seen that.

 

[StarGirl]

Don't you hate it when they make things hard to have a good life? I have snails all over my front glass every time I want to scrape it. I have never seen red before either.

 

[jake37]

You can do like me and get your finger bit - btw when did they invent brown discus ?

 

[86 ssinit]

Well the rams will bite the hair on my arm but the discus hasn’t as of yet.
As for brown discus I believe they were some of the original wild discus. That one was bought as a green discus but it anything but green.

 

[jake37]

What temp do you keep your discus tank? Is there a type of discus that will thrive at 80 or 82 ?

 

[86 ssinit]

You may get by with 82. My tanks are at 86. Rams are doing good at this temp. They’ve lay eggs off and on.

 

[jake37]

It isn't the ram that concern me. Too many other fishes i like that prefer it a bit cooler than 86 and i'm not sure there is much in the mid 80's range that interest me. Also as you noted the rams do ok at 86 but they burn out fast.

 

[86 ssinit]

Yes there’s not many fish that can take the temp. Cory’s can ottos and SAE are doing good and rcs are doing good too! Breeding like crazy. As for the rams I will see. The one I have now may be a year old. I just ordered some more so I’ll get a good idea of there life expectancies. Also I got them young so they may adjust to the temp. That’s what I’m hoping. The temp could have been the demise of the tetras too.

 

[jake37]

You should breed the rams so you don't have to order more
--
Then again it might be easier to let someone else do the breeding and just order them... Unlike angels I guess they are more predictable in what the off springs will turn into. Well i still have another 16 months to think on this discus thing but I'm beginning to think i should put geo with the rams instead of discus to keep the tank cooler. Maybe around 79 or 80. If i go with the disucs then i guess it'll be rams, discus, sae, pleco and maybe kuhli or cat fishes. I'm a bit surprise the sterbai take 86 - the ones i had at 81 went from 1/4 inch to full grown in like 3 or 4 months and now lay eggs like crazy (pity i can't find them to hatch them). The females are busting 3 inches which is kind of harsh in a 29 gallon tank. If I could hatch the eggs i'd put more in the 120 but i think one of the cory follows the female and eat them as she lays them.

Yes there’s not many fish that can take the temp. Cory’s can ottos and SAE are doing good and rcs are doing good too! Breeding like crazy. As for the rams I will see. The one I have now may be a year old. I just ordered some more so I’ll get a good idea of there life expectancies. Also I got them young so they may adjust to the temp. That’s what I’m hoping. The temp could have been the demise of the tetras too.

 

[RollaPear]

Congrats. Congrats congrats CoNGrats!!! 86 ssinit

I'm super excited for you. You've always been incredibly helpful to me and others on our journey and I'm ecstatic your discus spawned. I saw your post on the other forum and thought to myself

"Hold up wait a minute... I know that discus and those plants AND that setup."

And had to come here and check it was really you.

 

[86 ssinit]

Well as of this morn a fungus pretty much to over the eggs. There are still a few left but I don’t think any will make it. The pair did take care of the eggs but never removed bad ones. But it’s only the first time. Will have to see how it goes. Maybe give them a few time in the big tank and than move them to the 45.
I just ordered more rams from coral so I’d like to qt them in the 45 first anyway.

 

[jake37]

It took my angels 5 or 6 tries to start producing wrigglers reliably - now they won't stop

Well as of this morn a fungus pretty much to over the eggs. There are still a few left but I don’t think any will make it. The pair did take care of the eggs but never removed bad ones. But it’s only the first time. Will have to see how it goes. Maybe give them a few time in the big tank and than move them to the 45.
I just ordered more rams from coral so I’d like to qt them in the 45 first anyway.

 

[RollaPear]

86 ssinit In my limited experience fungus covering all eggs within a day means they weren't fertilized. Not because your pair is incapable but because the tds was already too high in the tank.

From my understanding high tds tricks the eggs into thinking they've already been fertilized... In laymen terms of course.

 

[86 ssinit]

No idea what’s the right tds? Do have a meter I bought off eBay that tested tds at 71 at 810ppm.

 

[jake37]

My tap is around 105 or 110 and my tanks are all below 140. I think coralbandit mixes his water with RO to get something below 75 but i could be mistaken.

No idea what’s the right tds? Do have a meter I bought off eBay that tested tds at 71 at 810ppm.

 

[coralbandit]

71 TDS should probably work for the discus .
There is the chance the male was distracted or harassed or just not on target yet .
It often takes a few tries for things to work out .

 

[RollaPear]

No idea what’s the right tds? Do have a meter I bought off eBay that tested tds at 71 at 810ppm.

I'm slightly confused 86 ssinit is your tds 71 or 810?

71 is right on the money.

 

[86 ssinit]

Well the meter gives 2 reading. First is tds and that’s 71 and the second ppm at 810. I will put up a pic if I can

 

[RollaPear]

Well the meter gives 2 reading. First is tds and that’s 71 and the second ppm at 810. I will put up a pic if I can

Most TDS pens also give a temp reading at the same time so perhaps that's what's going on here?

 

[jake37]

Then that would be one wonky meter since his tank is in the 80's.

Most TDS pens also give a temp reading at the same time so perhaps that's what's going on here?

 

[86 ssinit]

Got some new additions for the new tank. In qt now and they do look great!THANKS CORALBANDIT!!!

 

[jake37]

That electric blue looks stunning. Is it part gold or is that how they normally look ?

 

[86 ssinit]

No that’s just the pic they are all blue.

 

[86 ssinit]

Got everybody together for a picand some pics of my new discus

 

[jake37]

Good 'ol family photo; something to show their grand kids

Got everybody together for a picView attachment 733837View attachment 733838and some pics of my new discusView attachment 733839View attachment 733840

 

[86 ssinit]

Forgot these guys. These are the Hans from July .

 

[jake37]

Is it safe to mix them with non-hans or do you keep them separated ?

 

[86 ssinit]

As of now they’re separated. I’m working on a larger tank for them.I will add one of the Hans to their tank and see what happens. I did this with my other group with no problem. I’m hoping the month+ time in qt makes this work. Yes there’s a lot of horror stories about mixing German and Asian. Stendker just released a warning not to do it.

 

[86 ssinit]

Well I’ve been away from this thread for a bit but want to keep it running. Started this thread 1 and a half years ago! For me wow! I’ve done what some discus pros say shouldn’t be done. Grow out discus in a planted tank. I did it pretty much with just the help of the people on this thread and I thank you all.

My first discus were these 2 sad discus I rescued from my lps. I’d been watching them for almost a month and they were just fading away. Unforunatly I only saved these 2 there were about 20 in the tank.these guys were about the size of a quarter. Here they are now .they both grew but not as big as they would have if I got them a month earlier. But I’m still amazed at how they’ve come out. Next were a pair of creamsicle discus. These 2 turned into these.I’ve yet to see any other discus this color. And the last store bought was this guy who always had the stress bars showingthese five were bought at the quarter size. The red behind the SS was 5” when I bought it. 4 of 5 of these have outgrown the red. The red and the brown are now 2 of the small discus in the tank.
As to the planted tank. It started like thisand grew to this.
I am enjoying these fish ! So much so I’ve got a second tank going now with discus from July. Waiting to see how big these guys will grow.so thank you all for following this thread.

 

[jmaldo]

I’ve done what some discus pros say shouldn’t be done. Grow out discus in a planted tank.

Bravo!
You did have "Great" success, not following the norm. I may give them a go again. But next time definitely start with a larger tank.

Continued "Success" to you.

 

[86 ssinit]

Moved around some plants and removed most of the rocks. Still changing water 3x a week but have a pair acting up a bit. The brown is eating much less and one of the dirty guys has stopped eating. Everything is the same but something is bothering these 2. Set up a 30g just in case I need it. Have another in the other tank which seems to only eat enough to survive. When I got these guys it was one of the strongest fish. No idea what changes these fish.

 

[fa4960]

Yes I have also experienced this many times. Mostly I have not acted on it and it has in all cases eventually lead to dead of the fish. I would move them right away for treatment before they get too weak to handle the treatment. Sometimes I think mine have happened due to a drop in pegging order.....

 

[86 ssinit]

Hey fa4960 good to here from you . How’s your tank doing? Got to say I’m not sure what’s up. The 2 originals don’t seem to be in any stress. Or acting strange. Both are still interacting with the other fish. Just not as much. Will be keeping an eye on them. The one in the new tank is also really strange. It’s just eating enough to live but again it’s right there with all the others. Will attack the bw cube eat a bit and than just stop. Eat will eat frozen brime shrimp continuously. Just strange! And I do plan on moving it. Probably tomorrow.

 

[fa4960]

Still around and quietly going about with my weekly water change as before. Still regularly losing fish and now down to only 5 left. The more healthy ones I guess. Turned it into a community tank. Added 4 rummy nose and my 6 L333 plecos from another tank and bought two wild L173 Titanic also. Lot's of wood and artificial caves where the plecos can hide so all behaving nicely. This can't be said of the remaining discus. There are two pairs in the 5 left and the dominant male is keeping the other pairs male confined to a very small part of the large tank, backed up in a corner and fighting him endlessly. Not sure how this is going to end but I am reluctant to buy more discus which would be the obvious solution to minimise individuals being picked on. Also not keen on moving a pair as I basically don't want to run more than the big tank.

 

[86 ssinit]

FEED US!!!!

 

[86 ssinit]

Well it’s been awhile and I had a major problem. Now I quarantine any new fish I get. But discus seem to be much more susceptible to diseases. I bought 2 new guys from the same place I bought my first ones from. They just came in and were marked super red. How could I not buy them!Well there fine but they had something on them that crossed into both my tanks. These 2 were in qt inthere own tank in another room. So whatever it was moved on my hands to the other tanks. 2 weeks lots of salt and buying all the rid-ich plus the store had. I’ve turned it around and things are improving. Tanks went from this

 

[FishSupreme]

Just discovered this existed! Been dealing with some disease myself. Btw do you have any discus where their faces are a peach color and the rest are red. Those are my favorite!

 

[86 ssinit]

To this first pic is my planted tank. Notice no plants . Had to remove because of the amount of salt added. At the peak 6tbs per 10g. But most plants are ok and in a 50g I had. Because of this I won’t be going as planted as before. What will go back will be in planters. I also removed 2/3s of the gravel. It hit this tank first and salt was all I had and what was advised. 2 days later it made its way to my other tank. At this time I’d been given advice to use rid-ich plus. So I went with a study to see which worked best. Both tanks went solo for the first 7 days. But the rid-ich tank was doing much better. Fish even though in the beginning they were black in color were still eating. Andthey were improving faster than the first tank. 2 days after introducing the rid-ich to the salt tank it turned the tank completely around. It was now in better shape than the rid-ich tank. So I added 1tbs of salt pre 20 gal to the rid ich tank and it got better in 2 days. So the rid-ich with the salt was the best approach.
Hoping this will be gone by next week. Still a little side effects on some of the blue fish but they are improving .

Just discovered this existed! Been dealing with some disease myself. Btw do you have any discus where their faces are a peach color and the rest are red. Those are my favorite!

If you can put up pictures of the sick fish. Anything new added to the tank.
This guy is my red discus. It’s face was lighter when I got it a year or so ago. But it’s went all red now

 

[86 ssinit]

Well the main tank had a relapse. Went back on the rid-ich and salt and had greatly improved. All but one discus. My brown discus who was never hit that bad by the first go around and was the first to fully recover. Can me down a day after last post and it was laying at the bottom of the tank. It’s eyes looked like pop eye. All the discus were showing cloudy eyes. No clue as to what happened. So did another big water change and retreated with salt and rid-ich. Move the brown to a 5g to med by itself. All good now with the tank and brown. Hoping to get him back in main tank by next week.
Tanks as of today. Notice not many plants in main tank anymore! Also a note the tank with the rid-ich the plants were fine with no losses at all. Almost want to say plants thrived with the treatment.

 

[86 ssinit]

Just some pics of my discus

 

[86 ssinit]

Well most of the plants are gone and the pleco’s kind of reminding me of the seagulls in finding Nemo. Mine! Mine! Mine!

 

[pagoda]

That is one feisty Pleco....

 

[jmaldo]

Wow! What a difference. It appears your the last of the original "Discus" gang. Since moving on from my "Discus" dream. I am enjoying your updates.

Maybe I'll try again someday.

 

[86 ssinit]

Lol yeah that thread got lonely . Just bought 4 discus from Dennis Discus. 3 raffleisa and a yellow Marlboro.

 

[JayAlva]

Lol yeah that thread got lonely . Just bought 4 discus from Dennis Discus. 3 raffleisa and a yellow Marlboro.View attachment 786849View attachment 786850View attachment 786851View attachment 786852

Beautiful coloring

 

[SamMe]

I really enjoy your Discus posts, they are beautiful fish. I especially like the original blue ones. Do you still have them in the Clear for Life 125 gallon and are you happy with it? I'm looking to purchase one of their 180 gallons for SA Cichlids.

 

[86 ssinit]

Wow been awhile!! So here’s some pics from both tanks.

 

[86 ssinit]

Yes I’ve got 2 a 90 and a 125. Mine are 3/8” thick acrylic. Not sure what size they use for a 180 but I’d say it should be 1/2”. Do you have acrylic now? I’ve also got a 50 clear for life and an older quality plus 125. I’m happy with all! The

 

[86 ssinit]

Lost one of my discus about 2 weeks ago. Not sure why. But thinking it’s got something to do with the earlier cross contamination. That’s the second I’ve lost since the cc. I do believe the cc and meds have something to do with the deaths. Another is a little off and is now in the qt tank. Asked on the discus site but not much help. Here’s some pics. This discus went gray in color and it’s lips got swollen. The lips were also the problem with the last one. Did medicate this guy so will see how he does. He is already going back to blue..everything else is going good. These 2 fish are from my originals and are 3 yrs old.