smidey Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 Hi all, I am preparing to add a pair of discus to my tank. Before I do this I want to add a canister filter to my setup & use the existing hood spraybar filter as well. Anyone had any problems doing this? Also I viewed a tank last week that had a canister filter (aqua one item i think), I did not like the spraybar etc that had been fitted to the back wall. I like to keep the tank looking as natural as possible. I have put the heaters very low in the tank behind the driftwood in one end & rocks & plants in the other. Have also put a dark blue background on to make the tank appear "deeper" than it is. I don't like the idea of having to put a spraybar etc on the back wall as I think that will ruine all the other asthetics of the tank. Are there any canister filters out there that do not require this? Is it really a must do? Are there any other plumbing fittings out there that are easier on the eye? http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g183/ ... 9cb488.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evilknieval69 Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 im not to sure on the filter part of the question but i am wondering, are you putting discus in with angels?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpidersWeb Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 The spray bar location isn't terribly important, and you dont even need one. Its just that it diffuses the power of the water coming out, so fish dont get hit by a super fast stream of water pouring out. All the filter needs is an IN and OUT pipe how you arrange these is up to you. If you have a spray bar in your existing hood, you can use that, just need to plumb it up somehow. I'd recommend plumbing direct to the spray bar and not using the filter section of the hood itself, as this will just put extra strain on the cannister filter and if it was to clog up it could make a bit of a mess. and following on from what evil said, I've heard thats not a good idea. Apparently the angels carry worms etc that the discus can't handle. Also discus like the temp more in the 30 deg C range. But whatever you decide, good luck to ya I want a Discus tank at some stage too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smidey Posted August 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 hi evilkanevil, initially I am getting rid of two of the angels, getting the discus quite small (around 3cm size). When the discus get larger then I will get rid of the other two. I have read about the worms etc that the angels can carry & that people think that the two together looks odd but at this stage i'll leave it at that & see how it goes. Smidey PS evil kanevil was great, robbie i think is better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smidey Posted August 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 The spray bar location isn't terribly important, and you dont even need one. Its just that it diffuses the power of the water coming out, so fish dont get hit by a super fast stream of water pouring out. All the filter needs is an IN and OUT pipe how you arrange these is up to you. If you have a spray bar in your existing hood, you can use that, just need to plumb it up somehow. I'd recommend plumbing direct to the spray bar and not using the filter section of the hood itself, as this will just put extra strain on the cannister filter and if it was to clog up it could make a bit of a mess. and following on from what evil said, I've heard thats not a good idea. Apparently the angels carry worms etc that the discus can't handle. Also discus like the temp more in the 30 deg C range. But whatever you decide, good luck to ya I want a Discus tank at some stage too. Thanks spidersweb, you have just given me any idea. The existing hood filter has a 800mm spraybar with 16 rows of holes. I could make another item that hangs just under the surface of the water to plumb the canister filter into & have a pickup pipe drop into the corner. This, to me, doesn't sound to difficult but I haven't done it yet so easier said than done! Angels & Discus: I have read a few books that say my existing fish will cope fine with the increased temp for the discus. If we look at it like they are in the wild, i guess the temp would go up & down like a sea saw depending on depths of water, climate etc so I thought i'd give it a go & learn from it. Everthing we read & hear of is just opinions from people that have learned from their experiences, we are all scientists in our own ways, studying & learning & i'd like to try it. Smidey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 Discus don't have to be at high temperature, only if you want to breed them. I have a couple in a heavily planted community tank at 25 deg C and they are OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharn Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 alan- ill bet that if you upped your temp they would perk up heaps. ive read alot about discus at 25-27 or so and they do ok, theyre perfectly fine but when their owners up the temp to 29-30 or so they always see an improvement in perkiness, hungryness (due to increased metabolism) etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted August 15, 2006 Report Share Posted August 15, 2006 Life in an aquarium is a compromise. The discus like it hot but the other fish and plants don't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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