Discus

I have a new 55 gal tank and I would like to venture off into Discus fish. I am wondering if anyone out there could help me with some info. I would like to cylce the tank with some zebra Dinos. But, does anyone out there know about how long it takes to cycle a tank for Discus? I guess maybe just test the waters? AND I've read several differences on the changing of the water. I've heard some do it every other day... and some once a week. Any opinions. I'll be honest... I'm not up to changing water every other day. I have a and a 4 year old.. I'm too busy for that. I can handle once a week though if that would be sufficient. Thanks in advance for any advice and help!

 

I would recommend thinking very hard about venturing into discus if you think you won't have the time to change the water more than once weekly. They are not like other freshwater fish. They are extremely high maintenance.

They require stellar water quality, large tanks (you might be able to fit 2 in a 55 at the most), and warmer water than most tropical fish (You'll need a reliable heater that will keep the water around 81 or 82 degrees).

In all honesty I'd try just a community tank full of a lot of little pretty FW fish instead of attempting discus. They should only be kept by hobbyists who are truly devoted to keeping them and can spare the time to maintain them properly.

 

I agree TOTALY with mandarin11. More maintance than the reef tank. I kept Discus for 2+ yrs before this tank. I loved it. I even got my own beefheart and made a special food mix for them in the food processer. Had to move so then decided to do this 90 reef tank. Now that that is going strong I am setting up a 75 for the Discus again.

 

The only experience I have with Discus is when we would have them at the store. As mentioned, more difficult then saltwater tanks. We kept our tanks at 84F with a 1/4hp heater chiller so the temp was constant. We had special plumbing for that tank as well. It was a reef ready tank BUT the standpipe went to a drain and the return line came from a 300g reservoir with 2 500w heaters that had a auto top off with RO/DI fed strait through the chiller and UV sterilizer into the tank so there was ALWAYS constant flow of clean water. We dealt with Jack Wattley directly in our planning of the set up and only carried Wattley Discus's.

They are really pretty fish that cost more then saltwater fish in most cases and a lot harder to take care of.

 

Yes, I have been studying up on it quite a bit. I could maybe even do it twice a week.. I just don't want to have to do every other day. But still, I don't want to subject them to anything that will stress them out either. They do seem to be very "touchy" fish from what I've read up on. I appreciate your opinions and information. Thank you very much.