Discus set up???

[ezbandrea]

Hi all,
I am wanting to help my father set up a 55g discus tank.
We have no experience with this species however we have both kept aquarium before.
I'm just looking for pointers as to what we should be researching.
I know the tank needs to be heavily planted...but with what plants?
We are also looking to put a school of some kind of Tetra in the tank also. What would be the best companions with Discus.

Any thoughts would be greatly apprieciated.

 

[pearls-before-swine]

I'm in the process of cycling a 77gal for a discus set up as well, so here are a few tips that I've picked up..

if you are going to have a "bottom feeder/clean up crew" stay away from any plecos > they can form a liking to the slime coat on the discus and then attach to the fish and cause damage.

as for schoolers, I've seen neon tetras in with discus before. Just make sure whatever companion you pick (plants as well) can tolerate warmer temps, as discus like it 85-88F.

 

[mfdrookie516]

Moved to Cichlid Discussion