discus tank

[ClamKnuckle]

So after seeing a few in LFS's and some pics on line I am thinking about possibly setting up a Discus tank down the road a bit. Does anyone know a good place for information relating to there care? I am curious about tanbk size, water conditions, filtration, feeding, tank mates...so yeah pretty much everything. Thanks!

 

[shawmutt]

Does anyone know a good place for information relating to there care?

Well, here...

I would recommend getting a good book, there are many that focus on just discus. I would take what you see on the internet with a grain of salt, I was researching them before, and found a lot of conflicting information. If you don't want to purchase a book, check out the library (remember those? ).

 

[TankGirl]

BrianNY should be along shortly....he can help you with some links or some recommended reading, and you can pick his brain as well.

 

[Menagerie]

Forget picking his brain, jump in your car and go see his tanks!!

 

[madasafish]

Yeah, you're not that far away!

But pick Brain's brian (er... Brian's brain) about Discus. He said to us last week that he doesn't consider himself a "discus expert," but, well, we all know he is.

 

[ClamKnuckle]

check out the library (remember those? ).

they still make them?

 

[BrianNY]

WOW. I guess I don't handle accolades too well. . I saw this post earlier and didn't respond because ClamKnuckle asked so many questions and shawmutt gave him the best possible answer.

Everything that I know about discus I've learned mostly from two of the formost breeders in the country (IMO). I'll credit Frank Cottone of Edgewater Discus and Cary Strong of Great Lakes Discus. They've always been available to help me and I'be burned up the phones and emails plenty of times.

ClamKnuckle, if you are serious do a google search on discus. You'll get more information than you can process. Weed through it, and then come back and discuss it here or with me. I'll be more than happy to help you in any way that I can.

Brian

 

[ClamKnuckle]

Thanks brian

I am serious about it but i have to wait until i get more money so i can do it right....any recommendations on tank sizes....I have a spare 55 but was thinking about going bigger

 

[BrianNY]

A 55 works just fine. The biggest expense will be the fish as it's best to start with a barebottom empty tank. A quality heater, a sponge filter (or 2), and a good HOB is all you need to get started.

 

[tsaraber]

Our favorite LFS specializes in Discus. They have a GREAT hex tank setup in the front of their store full of Discus and other fish. They have pictures on their site of their tanks, maybe you can get an idea of tank mates from those.
http://www.trilbytropicals.com/

 

[Guest]

As someone mentioned here already. Be careful researching Discus on the net. I read so many forums and opinions on keeping Discus on the net it almost made me not want to try discus. If you do enough research on the net, you'll find a lot of " I'm right, the whole world is wrong" Discus breeders and keepers. Thats not to say by any means that there are'nt passionate Discus keepers out there. You just have to wade through a bunch of boguss.

The best advice I can give you is, keep your research to a small group of knowledgeable keepers. Perhaps get a couple of books from a few established authors on Discuss. Try trolling some of the Discuss forms untill you find a few people posting that don't have thier heads buried in substrate.

Discus are a great fish to keep. It just takes a basic understanding of them, as well as, time and devotion from thier keepers to meet those needs.

 

[BrianNY]

Very well said, and excellent advice Mojo Troll. Discus are a rather unique aqurium fish. They require a bit more time then any other I can think of. But, by spending time with them, you get to know them and they get to know you.

Perhaps the reason there are so many differences of opinions among discus keepers is that they are worthy of all the discussion.

 

[kenor33]

sharp fish, those puppies ain't cheap 8)