Tips or hints for new discus setup

Carlos Pires · Joined: 27 Sep 2007 Posts: 2

Greetings all,

I'm starting out with a new discus setup (a 25 gallon tank set up with peat
substratum, low Gh, low Kh, slightly acidic water with pH at 6.6, marineland
exterior water filter). The tank is now being cycled with a small tetra
population (6 black neons, 6 serpae). I'd appreciate any pointers as to what
are the best practices after cycling for helping to provide a low-stress
environment for my fish (I'm holding out two weeks before transfering the
cychlids from the dealer, a pair of blood pigeons).

Thanks in advance

Carlos Pires.

Archived from group: rec>aquaria>freshwater>misc

St. Clair · Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Posts: 13

25g is too small for Discus as they grow to 8 inches in length. They will
most likely die from the stress of being in too small of a tank since Discus
are already delicate. Plus, you'll have a challenge with bio-load and will
require at least 50% water changes twice a week with no exceptions

They need a 55 gallon tank at the very least, 4 feet long to give them
plenty of room to swim. This also gives you more water to handle the
bio-load, which leads to less water changes.

--
Jeffrey St. Clair - Cichlid World
http://www.cichlid-world.com

"Carlos Pires" wrote in
message $rf3$1@aioe.org...
> Greetings all,
>
> I'm starting out with a new discus setup (a 25 gallon tank set up with
> peat
> substratum, low Gh, low Kh, slightly acidic water with pH at 6.6,
> marineland
> exterior water filter). The tank is now being cycled with a small tetra
> population (6 black neons, 6 serpae). I'd appreciate any pointers as to
> what
> are the best practices after cycling for helping to provide a low-stress
> environment for my fish (I'm holding out two weeks before transfering the
> cychlids from the dealer, a pair of blood pigeons).
>
> Thanks in advance
>
> Carlos Pires.
>