Discus Thread

[fishlady]

Re: Discus Thread

Your new baby discus are beautiful, fishlady.

Mark

thanks Mark...i'm really proud of them.....

[schance]

Re: Discus Thread

A 75gal would be fine for a breeding pair of Discus. Adding a pair of Rams and Apistos shouldn't be a problem. They all require the same water quality diligence.

but what about for the plants is r/o better?

[wesleydnunder]

Re: Discus Thread

but what about for the plants is r/o better?

That will depend on what percentage of RO you'll be using for your tank. You don't want to use straight RO water on any fish. For attempted duplication of wild conditions, something in the range of 75 ppm TDS is a good target. RO units will remove almost all total dissolved solids from the water. Your plants need some of those minerals which will be removed, so you'll want to put those minerals back in the water to maintain healthy plants. Calcium, magnesium and trace elements are available for aquarium dosing. I like the PMDD pre-mix, which contains macros and traces.

RO is not a complete necessity for discus. I have wild blue and wild Tefe Green discus in tapwater that can reach a TDS of 700 ppm. Dan keeps his discus at HAW in tapwater. Opinions vary on breeding capability in hard water. I'd suggest learning how to keep them healthy and happy first. As with most cichlids, they'll attempt to breed when they feel comfy in their home. You can stress over monkeying with water chemistry then. Just my opinion.

Mark

[greg_tsam]

Re: Discus Thread

 Yeah, I was just letting Greg know where it came from.  :)

The last time I saw Bambi was the first time I saw Bambi and I can't remember much of my 5th year on Earth.  I've never heard anyone use that word.  Thanks for the reminder.  I'm all twiterpatted.

[Darbex]

Re: Discus Thread

Can you use any potting soil that you can pick up at Home depot or is there a special kind that is better?

[schance]

Re: Discus Thread

ya thats what im curious about
1. what type of potting soil
2. what type of peat
3. is it kool for discus

please be as specific as possible i have seen the schults stuff wich is essentially just clay and its not that great to look at but is there anyother one and what brand of peat?

[Mzungu]

Re: Discus Thread

Hey MB.........did you see the pictures i put on here of my new babies?
aren't they gorgeous?.... :)

Hmm, yeah, I thought I commented on them!! The one orange one looks a lot like mine! They're very pretty.

I think I was trying to post at a time when my internet was malfunctioning.    Guess it didn't work.  

[fishlady]

Re: Discus Thread

that's okay....just wanted to make sure you saw them.....

[jklntx]

Re: Discus Thread

Spagnum Peat from Canada is your best. Make sure it is 100% peat and has no additives.

[Darbex]

Re: Discus Thread

Where can you get Spagnum peat? Do you just mix it in with the soil?

[jklntx]

Re: Discus Thread

I have a 2.2 cu ft bag I bought from Loew's. You can have as much as you need.  I make a netting bag ( a nylon stocking works well) and fill it with peat and add it to my filter.

[schance]

Re: Discus Thread

what about a potting soil for the aquarium

[nacra99]

Re: Discus Thread

I would avoid potting soil or peat unless you top it off with gravel. Discus are pretty strong swimmers, they can kick up a cloud of muck quite easily.
Even if you manage to keep everything down with a layer of gravel, everything might get stirred up when using a gravel vac.

As for substrates, i cast my vote for flourite. (with strategically placed fert tabs if planted). They now have a jet black florite which is uber cool!

[schance]

Re: Discus Thread

ya thats what ive been hearing and ive seach the flourite its looks good but its still ard to beat the ADA stuff amazonia is quality so is the red sea in appereance

[Terrybo]

Re: Discus Thread

Couple of my discus.