kclarke

Thanks, I'm glad now that I didn't turn it off without asking you guys. I must admit that I was worried about it. Now with the UG going and also the canister, I guess I should have enough filtration. Thanks again

I've been told that undergravel filters are not good and are a special No-no for Discus. I've since bought a Rena Filstar xP2 (was told that was the right size for my tank). Also told by the aquarium owner that after approx 1 month that I could turn off the undergravel filter, pull out the tubes, etc. and cover it with the gravel. I'm a little nervous to do this and want some advice. When I got the canister filter home and set it up, I noticed on the instructions that the xP2 is not biological (even though I was told it was, it is the larger one the xP3 that contains the bio). The cost of the filter was $300 (aus) and now I'm not sure whether to turn off the U/G or not. The canister has been running for 1 1/2 months. The other question is: If and when I do turn the UG off, what is the best way to get rid of it without too much gunk circulating in the discus tank? My discus (4 now) are doing very well and I don't want to upset the balance. Any advice would be gratefully recieved.

Hi everyone, I'm finally back. My sister enjoyed her honeymoon (even though they both took their mothers). But when they all got back we received some very distressing news regarding another family member, so have been off the net for a while. Anyway, have my Discus and love them heaps. Aquired 2 small ones for $25 each and then later bought 2 more from different parents for $51 each. The latter already had some colour and the earlier are now colouring up. All are turquoise. One of the first I bought has doubled in size while his friend has not grown as much. In fact he is bigger then the ones I bought later and is the bossiest. They are as friendly as and feed out of the palm of my hand - the only thing is that the little buggers get in the way when I'm doing a water change or test - have to shoo them away. Back to the question? I've been buying the frozen Beef Heart from the aquariast and the last lot had a lot of sinew in it, which of course the fish did not eat, and the only live food I can buy from him is tubifex worms or brine shrimp ( I've heard there is not much nourishment in brine shrimp) . So can I give them earthworms from the compost bin if I wash them or what other live foods can I give them? Thanks Karen

Hi everyone, But especially Warren, Bruce, Ira, etc. Thank you so much for your advice, I have taken all on board. OK - The tank water is finally free of NITRITE. I could not believe it - Checked it every second day sometimes every day - always the same .25. As I've mentioned my tap water also registered the same and I must admit I started to think, even with the advice I was given that I would have do go and buy a filter for my tap. But today and I might add exactly 3 weeks after being set up that the NITRITE is neutral, can't believe it can happen so suddenly. I am over the moon and the rest of my family think I'm crazy. Can't help that - maybe they are right. Anyway the only thing now stopping me from my dream of having the Discus swimming around in my tank is that I promised by baby sister that I would look after her place while she went away overseas for her honeymoon. I don't want to be somewhere else while my Discus are settling in. I have arranged for someone to feed the cat fish while I'm not there and I will keep checking in every 3 days or so to make sure that everything in the tank is still working. Once again " I am so happy that it has finally happened" . PS: I bought more plants today Warren and with the rocks, ect it iis starting to look pretty good. Especially the water factor. Speak to you again in a couple of weeks - when I get home and have my babies in the tank. Thanks again - I'm excited!!!!!

PS: The PH is set at between 6.6 to 6.8 is this about right or should it go lower?

Hi Warren & Ira, Thanks for that bit of info, I won't panic now. I was thinking of getting a couple of the Discus next week, which is 3 weeks after set-up. I will wait if need be. I'm not going to get all the Discus in at once. What I was going to do was put 2 in from one aquarium supplier, getting to know them and making sure everything was OK and then getting another couple from a different shop a couple of weeks later and another 2 somewhere else. All the same type but from different parents. So that hopefully they will pick their own mates and have a bigger gene pool. Does this sound about right? I do want to breed them when they grow and hopefully out of 6 I will get at least one male and female. I know there are no guarantees but we will see. In the meantime I will just enjoy them for being them.

Hi, I have had my tank set up now for 2 weeks, so I am still waiting for it to become stable. As I have previously mentioned it is a 4 foot, etc and I am using an undergravel filter as well as a filter that fits on the inside of the tank. I have put in a couple of cat fish (very pretty ones) and they are going fine. But of course I want everything perfect for the Discus that will be living there. I have been doing a few partial water changes to keep the nitrites down, and I did one tonight. The nitrites read .25. After I changed the water it still read approx the same so I tested the tap water and it reads .25. I have been told that Cockatoo have decided to add ammonia to the water (for whatever reason) and even though I haven't detected any ammonia, what about the nitrites? The big question is: Is this amount harmful to both fish and humans or is it negligable and if the former how to I counteract it? Any information will be helpful. Thank you

Hi Warren, I took your advice and purchased another filter. Even though it is not the external cannister, as I said that will have to wait a bit longer, it is one that connects to the side of the tank and should work fairly well. It has a hose going outside to utilise the air and blows a bit of stream into the tank, but next question is: will the discus like their water moving that much or do they like quieter water? Hopefully you know what I mean. It's great to have a site where you can ask these questions, sometimes books give conflicting information. Next on the purchase list are the books you recommended ( I have bought one). Thanks again

Thanks Guys, 3 weeks at least it is. In the meantime I will read, listen and learn. Unfortunately I do have a job to go to as well so 90% twice a day might be a bit much for me also. What would be the the best amount to change and how often to keep them nice and happy. Don't worry, you have not and will not put me off this little challenge, because I think they are absolutely beautiful and really want to give it my best shot. I will invest in an outside canister but that will have to come later I'm afraid. No doubt, like last time I'll end up with more tanks (it's already going around in my head). Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, room to keep them here is at a premium so I want to make the best of this one first, have fun with it and enjoy just looking at them in my Loungeroom. The TV won't be on as much. In the meantime I'll get some bottom feeders to start things happening. Another thing do you know anything about 'GEO LIQUID' and does it work? Thanks again

Hi, Even though I have set up tanks successfully before I am a bit more nervous this time as I want to put in Discus and everyone says they can be touchy. I'm using an undergravel filter and would like to know if this is alright for these fish or should I use another sort as well? I was hoping to purchase some Discus later this week, but don't want to do so too early if the tank is not OK. Also should I also purchase some bottom feeders first to start the bacterial action of the filter? Only other question at the moment is: Warren mentioned that I should only keep 2 pair in the tank, but I was thinking of getting young fish and maybe about 8 to see which ones might pair off. If this is not a good idea please advise. Thanks for all your help so far

Hi Warren, I see that you are a discus lover. Thanks for the info. Bell Street, Coburg is at least in Melbourne but a couple of hours away from Cockatoo (where I live in the hills). But it might be worth the trip to check them out. I do have other questions (lots), but I really should log out now, but will be back.

Thanks Caryl, That helps a lot, I was going to take into consideration the gravel, etc but I wasn't sure how to and that was my next question. Discus certainly are not cheap and I know they can be particular. I'm going to start to make a list of the questions I have so that I remember to ask when I'm on here. I hoping to purchase a few this Thursday, but only if everything is working well. Thanks again.

Hi, My name is Karen and I am just setting up a tank. I used to keep fish several years ago and had a 6' , a 4', a couple of 3' and a 2'. Now I'm just starting again. My son bought this for my b'day as he knows how much I have missed keeping fish. (he has the bug too). The tank is not a normal 4 footer, but is 48' long, 12' wide and 17' high. I'm not sure how many litres it holds but I hope someone can help me work it out. As we do have chlorine in our taps, ect, ect. And I want to try discus. The tank was set up 3 days ago and now I just want to let it settle and learn as much as possible about discus before I purchase them. Any help would be appreciated. PS I'm from Victoria, Australia