Galerius
Aquarium Advice Regular
I currently have a 30 gallon long (36x12x16) setup as a "south american" tank, with 8 bloodfin tetras, 7 mirror/blue tetras, 1 Oto, and 3 Julii Corys. Current pH is 6.7, temp 80, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, GH of 2.8 and KH of 3, and an O2 level of 8-9 mg/L. My nitrates never rise more than 15 ppm, as my tank is *heavily* planted, and I prune weekly (duckweed is excellent for nitrate removal, btw). I currently perform 20-30% water changes every Sunday, religiously (no pun intended ).I replace trace elements, fertilize my plants weekly, and use CO2 to some degree.
From all of my research, my water parameters are good for keeping Discus (I know not for breeding). I would like to have a small shoal of them, say 3-4. I know two will would be okay for my 30 gallon, but unless they are a mated pair, dominance issues would arise. Therefore, I will be upgrading the size of my tank.
I want to upgrade to either a 40 XH (36x12x20 and $65) or a 45 (36x12x24 and $99); both of these will fit on my current stand, and would be able to use my current light and filtration (Coralife 96w, and Emperor 280). I do plan on supplementing filtration with a canister filter (Rena XP2 or Fluval 304) and adding a backup submersible heater in tandem with my current 200watt sub.
I've been in the aquarium hobby for about 10 years, so I'm not really a newbie. I've been very successful in keeping, raising, and breeding Angels, and I see Discus as my next challenge. But, seeing that Discus are so expensive, I want to do this properly.
So, this is my dilemna...
Q1) Is keeping a small shoal of 3-4 Discus okay?
Q2) If yes, then I'm assuming the 45 gallon would be better for them, yes?
Q3)What size juveniles should I begin with? 2.5, 3, 4"???
Q4) Are there any color strains more hardy or weaker than others? (my experience with Angels always showed Blushings to be less hardy)
Q5) To minimize stress on the fish during water changes, I'll keep the 30 gallon to prepare the new water with proper pH settings, temp., etc. Is this going too far?
Thanks in advance.
From all of my research, my water parameters are good for keeping Discus (I know not for breeding). I would like to have a small shoal of them, say 3-4. I know two will would be okay for my 30 gallon, but unless they are a mated pair, dominance issues would arise. Therefore, I will be upgrading the size of my tank.
I want to upgrade to either a 40 XH (36x12x20 and $65) or a 45 (36x12x24 and $99); both of these will fit on my current stand, and would be able to use my current light and filtration (Coralife 96w, and Emperor 280). I do plan on supplementing filtration with a canister filter (Rena XP2 or Fluval 304) and adding a backup submersible heater in tandem with my current 200watt sub.
I've been in the aquarium hobby for about 10 years, so I'm not really a newbie. I've been very successful in keeping, raising, and breeding Angels, and I see Discus as my next challenge. But, seeing that Discus are so expensive, I want to do this properly.
So, this is my dilemna...
Q1) Is keeping a small shoal of 3-4 Discus okay?
Q2) If yes, then I'm assuming the 45 gallon would be better for them, yes?
Q3)What size juveniles should I begin with? 2.5, 3, 4"???
Q4) Are there any color strains more hardy or weaker than others? (my experience with Angels always showed Blushings to be less hardy)
Q5) To minimize stress on the fish during water changes, I'll keep the 30 gallon to prepare the new water with proper pH settings, temp., etc. Is this going too far?
Thanks in advance.