anything besides discus?

Mazzy · 01-07-2007, 01:55 PM

I have a 50 breeder set up and planted (still want to get more plants) and waiting for fish. The only real prob with the tank is algea which I don't know if I'll be able to get under control or not but it seems to be lessening as the plants grow and take root so hopefully that will correct itself soon enough.
Anyway, it's ready for fish and I want a discus tank. I know it's not that big for discus so I'm wondering
#1. how many discus should I initially purchase? (2-3" max at purchase)
#2. how many could I have in this tank at adulthood?
and
#3. could I put any other fish in with them for variety given the amount of space available?
It is a breeder so there is more surface area but it's still just a 50.
Thanks!

Gourami Swami · 01-07-2007, 03:06 PM

I tihnk that 3-5 would be an okay number.

rcomeau · 01-07-2007, 08:15 PM

My 50 is planted and has had 3 Discus, 3 Angels, 5 rams, and a few tetras. The 3 Discus don't work well because the paired two keep the third in the back of the tank.

Discus purist will tell you that Discus should be kept in a bare bottom tank to avoid stunted growth (especially when they are young and should be eating and growing fast) and poor color.

Consider using Flourish Excel to control your algae and help your plants grow. Some overdose with it to bring it under control.

xerxeswasachump · 02-11-2007, 05:15 PM

Fluorish excel is a great way to get your algae down while also helping your otherplants grow. However, the algicide in excel will harm anachris and most crypts. I had 4 discus in my 55 and that didnt work so well. 2 of them paired off and beat up the other 2. Also, their growth was most definitely stunted, they are only around 5". Although, honestly, i dont think the fish mind. They eat like pigs and they have colored up nicely. I can post pics if anyone would like.

The best way to keep algae at bay is to get 2 small siamese algae eater or a small army of oto cats, do regular water changes to keep the nitrate level relatively low, and get a CO2 unit. That is what i did and i havent seen any algae since i installed the CO2 (i bought a carbo plus CO2 thing, rather than a pressurized canister). In fact i now have to worry about how much the algae eaters have to eat.

Murray · 02-12-2007, 01:31 PM

id like to see pictures of your discuss man, im a huge fan

**Damon** · 02-12-2007, 02:44 PM

Excel will not usually harm crypts. Believe it or not I was the one who first started the overdosing of it. It will kill anacharis and vals though. If your crypts melt, look for anothe rcause of it. It also seems to affect downoi and occasionally rannaculous (sp).

xerxeswasachump · 02-12-2007, 04:06 PM

My bad, i got crypts and vals confused. Hey how would i measure the concentration of CO2 in my tank?

**Damon** · 02-12-2007, 04:27 PM

http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_plant_co2chart.htm

xerxeswasachump · 02-16-2007, 09:10 PM

Thanks Damon, you are awesome.

02-11-2007, 05:15 PM	#4
xerxeswasachump no snakes alive... Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ Age: 24 Posts: 237	Fluorish excel is a great way to get your algae down while also helping your otherplants grow. However, the algicide in excel will harm anachris and most crypts. I had 4 discus in my 55 and that didnt work so well. 2 of them paired off and beat up the other 2. Also, their growth was most definitely stunted, they are only around 5". Although, honestly, i dont think the fish mind. They eat like pigs and they have colored up nicely. I can post pics if anyone would like. The best way to keep algae at bay is to get 2 small siamese algae eater or a small army of oto cats, do regular water changes to keep the nitrate level relatively low, and get a CO2 unit. That is what i did and i havent seen any algae since i installed the CO2 (i bought a carbo plus CO2 thing, rather than a pressurized canister). In fact i now have to worry about how much the algae eaters have to eat. __________________ 46 Gallon Planted Tank: 1 bolivian ram, 1 angelfish, 12 glo-lite tetras, 2 colomesus asellus, 8 japonica shrimp

02-12-2007, 01:31 PM	#5
Murray Krib Fan Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Regina Saskatchewan, Canada Age: 21 Posts: 11	id like to see pictures of your discuss man, im a huge fan __________________ COOLNESS!!!!!!!>!>*&(%#@(&^

02-12-2007, 02:44 PM	#6
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	Excel will not usually harm crypts. Believe it or not I was the one who first started the overdosing of it. It will kill anacharis and vals though. If your crypts melt, look for anothe rcause of it. It also seems to affect downoi and occasionally rannaculous (sp). __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

02-12-2007, 04:06 PM	#7
xerxeswasachump no snakes alive... Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ Age: 24 Posts: 237	My bad, i got crypts and vals confused. Hey how would i measure the concentration of CO2 in my tank? __________________ 46 Gallon Planted Tank: 1 bolivian ram, 1 angelfish, 12 glo-lite tetras, 2 colomesus asellus, 8 japonica shrimp

02-12-2007, 04:27 PM	#8
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_plant_co2chart.htm __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

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01-07-2007, 01:55 PM	#1
Mazzy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Adrian, Michigan Posts: 129	anything besides discus? I have a 50 breeder set up and planted (still want to get more plants) and waiting for fish. The only real prob with the tank is algea which I don't know if I'll be able to get under control or not but it seems to be lessening as the plants grow and take root so hopefully that will correct itself soon enough. Anyway, it's ready for fish and I want a discus tank. I know it's not that big for discus so I'm wondering #1. how many discus should I initially purchase? (2-3" max at purchase) #2. how many could I have in this tank at adulthood? and #3. could I put any other fish in with them for variety given the amount of space available? It is a breeder so there is more surface area but it's still just a 50. Thanks! __________________ "We can bomb the world to pieces, but we can't bomb it into PEACE!" ~Michael Franti

01-07-2007, 03:06 PM	#2
Gourami Swami Supreme Dictator For Life Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Somewhere out Yonder... Posts: 1,106	I tihnk that 3-5 would be an okay number. __________________

01-07-2007, 08:15 PM	#3
rcomeau Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Age: 43 Posts: 91	My 50 is planted and has had 3 Discus, 3 Angels, 5 rams, and a few tetras. The 3 Discus don't work well because the paired two keep the third in the back of the tank. Discus purist will tell you that Discus should be kept in a bare bottom tank to avoid stunted growth (especially when they are young and should be eating and growing fast) and poor color. Consider using Flourish Excel to control your algae and help your plants grow. Some overdose with it to bring it under control.

02-16-2007, 09:10 PM	#9
xerxeswasachump no snakes alive... Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ Age: 24 Posts: 237	Thanks Damon, you are awesome. __________________ 46 Gallon Planted Tank: 1 bolivian ram, 1 angelfish, 12 glo-lite tetras, 2 colomesus asellus, 8 japonica shrimp

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