Is this true?

aquarimum · 11-24-2011, 03:49 PM

Hi
I've fell in love with discus since seeing them in a aquarium shop recently. Ive been doing a bit of research and come across this and wonder what other peoples opinions are. My main question is about their suggestion to fill the tank with half distilled water and half spring water. Can it really be that simple? I know that discus are very sensitive to water quality and thought this sounded too good to be true. If it is true then is it ok with other tropical fish as well? Would be great to hear your feedback Here is the link
How to Breed Tropical Fish: How to breed and raise Discus

thanks
Karen

NeonShark666 · 11-24-2011, 04:40 PM

The basic water requirements for Discus are Warm Water (>82F), Clean water (very low Nitrates), and low ph. Bottled water always gives you low Nitrates. Very frequent water changes must be practiced in Discus Tanks to keep them happy. Low ph is particularly important in the raising of Discus Spawn. The final ph of the water mixture you are talking about would depend on the chemical composition of the Spring Water. Some Spring Water, for taste reasons, have chamicals added that result in a very high ph.

aquarimum · 11-25-2011, 03:27 AM

Lol i forgot to add the link...its there now for anyone to read. Thanks Neon Shark

Karen
2 dalmation fantail mollies
2 sunset platies
10 neon tetras
4 guppies (male)
1 red clawed crab

AmazonTreats · 11-25-2011, 11:29 PM

I have been breeding Discus for years and I can tell you that it would really be dependant on a couple of factors. The initial factor would be where are the fish from ? Domestic or Imported? Some Aquatic pet shops have them in proper ph and water conditions but most don't.
To set up a Discus tank you do not need Reverse Osmosis water as it is only required to hatch the eggs as even medicated assimilation of their Amazon conditions will not allow the sperm to penetrate the eggs so Spring Water is not something I would suggest , it is better than tap but not what your looking for.
It is best to start off with about 2-2.5" discus they are cheaper and you can condition them to your liking in terms of diet and training them not to be skiddish. Discus are a very sensitive fish but they are also alot heartier than Angelfish if raised with proper diet.
I would start off with about 6- 12 Discus and you can ask for a sample of the water from the aquarium previous to purchase so you can match it appropriately to your tank and start your conditioning from that point as ph extremes will kill Discus.
Optimal requirements for Discus are a clean tank preferably bare bottom these fish are stunning and do not need substrate. As they grow their colour intensifies based on their diet to get Discus to grow fast you will need lots of protein so beef heart , brine shrimp,mysis shrimp and plankton all are high in protein content and naturally help bring out the red tints in the Discus.
Spirulina is also a very important part of their diet as it contains vitamin rich nutrients for natural colour enhancing and health. The ph stick should be a pale yellow anywhere from 6.3-6.8 is proper range the lower end being for breeding. Reverse Osmosis water is what you will need when they start pairing off and that should take about a year from purchase. In the growing period you will see the pecking order being displayed as Discus are true to their Cichlid nature nevermind their peaceful grace, they aren't as nasty as Angels but they hit head on when they are challenged the rest of the time if they are going at each other sideways or you see the stripes appear you are witnessing a display of submissiveness to the dominant fish, the books will tell you that generally the top of the pecking order is the largest male. However, with Discus it has been my experiece that it is the Females that are more dominant as young adults as they mature sexually faster than males.
To acclimate the fish into a new condition you can use the API products of PH Down to set the ph chemically and worry about the reverse osmosis water when they start showing signs of spawning.
Discus require patience and persistance and a key trait which separates Discus hobbyists from others and that is that Discus can be read they are quite communicative with their colouring and intensity with the way they approach the others in the shoal if it is angular it is about spawning and territory if the attack is head on it is usually about food dominance.
These are the closest to mammals as a fish can get as the fry are completely dependant on the secretions of the parents to survive for the first 5-10 days of their lives. The large hatcheries have manual methods and it does work at home however, the fry never come out the same quality as when the parents feed them . It is an awesome sight to behold watching these giant disc's manouvering hundreds of fry and being so careful not to eat them.
If you condition your fish properly they will not be skiddish which only helps when they start to breed especially if they recognize that every time you are coming to the tank your bringing treats.
Within weeks of getting new fish or growing fry my fish buddies know I am always in their face and they get use to it to the point where they will hand feed and I have no problem putting my hand in the tank when they are spawning...where most Cichlids would freak and try to take a chunk out of your finger.

I am a proponent of these beauties and with knowledge that prevention is the key to Discus health they are not that hard to take care of, it all about dedication and the more you read and personally experience the more you realize these fish are special with personalities and no two are identical ...So Please take the dive and enjoy the beauty of South American Cichlids .
Suitable tankmates are rams, apisto's and cory's. The only bottom feeders that work for Discus are Salt and Pepper Corys they tolerate the most extreme temperatures and the Ancistrus pleco it is a small Albino pleco that doesn't get big enough to feed off the Discus' body like other plecos and plecos in general do not do well with Discus as they do not tolerate high temps up to 86 and develope parasites they so generously pass on to your Discus.
Other meds to have on hand...Prazipro as med cure
... Blackwater/Amazon extract helps the acidity levels and they love the merky but clean water.
... Ammonia reducers in your filter

Mopani wood or Driftwood that can sink and hold itself down
only lava rocks absolutely no lime stone
Plastic plants at top floating as Discus hate being approached from above without hiding spots...always clean out uneaten food.
Feed small amounts many times a day.
For growing out fish fast a bucket of water change everyday...helps to stimulate them as well a proper current in the tank will help grow out their full fin potential thus highlighting the deep blues/purples/yellows and reds.

I hope this helps you can always get back and pass on any other questions

Good luck
Discus rule!

williemcd · 11-26-2011, 02:59 AM

I'm finding Discus are as easy as Angels.. Angels are hard as Discus.. (Note I capitalize Discus)... back in the old days.. wild caughts required 4.5-6.0 ph.. black water extracts, peat moss inserts etc. Today's Discus are mainly tank raised.. ph. 6.6 or above. Not a big issue as it used to be. Water softness/hardness.. Im fortunate that all I have to do is introduce some driftwood to keep it soft.. In leu of driftwood?.. Collect a handfull of oak leaves, bind the stems together and dump em into the tank. Almond leaves are sold online for the same purpose but I've a forest of Oaks that accomplish the same mission..
Bare bottom tanks?... I'm totally against them. I profoundly believe that as keepers of our captures we've a responsiblilty to maintain them in an as natural environment and humanly or fiscally possible. My tanks are heavily planted.. PFS substrate and I do NO WATER CHANGES other than replenishment for vacuuming the substrate and natural evaporation. There are a number of Discus breeders that feel the same way... It's true that the overwhelming majority of breeders adhere to Amz's discipline as stated.. But me?.. My nr one mission statement is to provide the habitat they feel most comfortable with.
Disclaimer:... I've only had 8 since they were nickle sized and now approaching 4 inches..
I could probably grow them out faster were that my mission..
Amz?.. Got a dozen fry avail for sale?....
Looking for a doz turq's.. green or blue... not into reds for some reason..
Bill in Va.
p.s. I've had more problems with German Blue Rams than with Discus!...Go figure.

aquarimum · 11-26-2011, 03:32 AM

A huge thankyou to you both for all that useful and very interesting info. Discus are definately a fish I would like to get but first I need a bigger tank. Well christmas is coming who knows what santa will bring

) My only concern would be what to do with all those babies. Is it hard to tell the difference between male and female and can you keep just one sex in the tank to stop excess breeding. Dont get me wrong I would really love to have breeding discus but I dont think its fair if there is nowhere to put them. There are plenty for sale here both in stores and private sellers so the market is a bit swamped. Its a real dilemma. Ive heard that cardinal tetras are also good to have with discus is that true?
many thanks again

williemcd · 11-26-2011, 03:40 AM

If you reach a point where you're overwhelmed with Discus off-spring.. Please post an article on how you accomplished such a feat!... And be assured you'll have an outlet for even month old fry here!.... Bill in Va.

williemcd · 11-26-2011, 03:50 AM

Sorry,.. I was so excited about some Discus fry that I neglected to answer your other more pressing question.
Cardinals.. Black Neon's, Neon's, Cory's.. all of them co-exist in my Discus tank..

I should add on to my original post.. My tanks are heavily planted.. no CO2.. no additional ferts.. Just fish poo... I too admit that my keeping conditions are not as conducive to exceptional growth.. I liken that to steroids... Again,,,I believe we are keepers of our charges and should offer them the best environment for them rather than personal gratification of "what I accomplished".. BOTH schools of thought are valid..Mine is just the one I pursued.. Bill in Va.

aquarimum · 11-26-2011, 03:09 PM

Yet another thankyou

) My problem is that I live in Sweden though I am British and there doesnt seem to be as much demand here for discus. Ive seen several people selling them for around 25 english pounds each but a breeding pair is around 250 but I guess thats worth it. They dont seem to be able to sell their excess discus which is a real shame. Aquarium shops dont always stock them cause they need so much space. Wish I lived in the US

11-24-2011, 03:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
aquarimum Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 113 Name: Karen Location: South Sweden Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 13 Times Said "Thanks" 107 Times Was Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Is this true? Hi I've fell in love with discus since seeing them in a aquarium shop recently. Ive been doing a bit of research and come across this and wonder what other peoples opinions are. My main question is about their suggestion to fill the tank with half distilled water and half spring water. Can it really be that simple? I know that discus are very sensitive to water quality and thought this sounded too good to be true. If it is true then is it ok with other tropical fish as well? Would be great to hear your feedback Here is the link How to Breed Tropical Fish: How to breed and raise Discus thanks Karen __________________ thanks Karen 200 liter tank, jbl canister filter, hydor external inline heater containing: 3 dalmation sailfin mollies 2 saffron balloon mollies 3 sunset platies 10 neon tetras 4 male guppies 3 panda corys 2 spotted corys 2 leopard plecos (rehoming soon) 2 mosaic gouramis 3 dwarf gourami 5 pink tetra 5 glass catfish 40 liter with 7 molly fry and a bumblebee shrimp :fish Last edited by aquarimum : 11-25-2011 at 03:22 AM.

11-24-2011, 04:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
NeonShark666 Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 806 Name: Jim Location: Salem, Oregon Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 78 Times Said "Thanks" 4 Times Was Thanked 247 Times in 237 Posts	Re: Is this true? The basic water requirements for Discus are Warm Water (>82F), Clean water (very low Nitrates), and low ph. Bottled water always gives you low Nitrates. Very frequent water changes must be practiced in Discus Tanks to keep them happy. Low ph is particularly important in the raising of Discus Spawn. The final ph of the water mixture you are talking about would depend on the chemical composition of the Spring Water. Some Spring Water, for taste reasons, have chamicals added that result in a very high ph.

11-25-2011, 03:27 AM	#3 (permalink)
aquarimum Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 113 Name: Karen Location: South Sweden Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 13 Times Said "Thanks" 107 Times Was Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Is this true? Lol i forgot to add the link...its there now for anyone to read. Thanks Neon Shark Karen 2 dalmation fantail mollies 2 sunset platies 10 neon tetras 4 guppies (male) 1 red clawed crab __________________ thanks Karen 200 liter tank, jbl canister filter, hydor external inline heater containing: 3 dalmation sailfin mollies 2 saffron balloon mollies 3 sunset platies 10 neon tetras 4 male guppies 3 panda corys 2 spotted corys 2 leopard plecos (rehoming soon) 2 mosaic gouramis 3 dwarf gourami 5 pink tetra 5 glass catfish 40 liter with 7 molly fry and a bumblebee shrimp :fish

11-25-2011, 11:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
AmazonTreats Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 11 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 0 Times Said "Thanks" 1 Times Was Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Is this true? I have been breeding Discus for years and I can tell you that it would really be dependant on a couple of factors. The initial factor would be where are the fish from ? Domestic or Imported? Some Aquatic pet shops have them in proper ph and water conditions but most don't. To set up a Discus tank you do not need Reverse Osmosis water as it is only required to hatch the eggs as even medicated assimilation of their Amazon conditions will not allow the sperm to penetrate the eggs so Spring Water is not something I would suggest , it is better than tap but not what your looking for. It is best to start off with about 2-2.5" discus they are cheaper and you can condition them to your liking in terms of diet and training them not to be skiddish. Discus are a very sensitive fish but they are also alot heartier than Angelfish if raised with proper diet. I would start off with about 6- 12 Discus and you can ask for a sample of the water from the aquarium previous to purchase so you can match it appropriately to your tank and start your conditioning from that point as ph extremes will kill Discus. Optimal requirements for Discus are a clean tank preferably bare bottom these fish are stunning and do not need substrate. As they grow their colour intensifies based on their diet to get Discus to grow fast you will need lots of protein so beef heart , brine shrimp,mysis shrimp and plankton all are high in protein content and naturally help bring out the red tints in the Discus. Spirulina is also a very important part of their diet as it contains vitamin rich nutrients for natural colour enhancing and health. The ph stick should be a pale yellow anywhere from 6.3-6.8 is proper range the lower end being for breeding. Reverse Osmosis water is what you will need when they start pairing off and that should take about a year from purchase. In the growing period you will see the pecking order being displayed as Discus are true to their Cichlid nature nevermind their peaceful grace, they aren't as nasty as Angels but they hit head on when they are challenged the rest of the time if they are going at each other sideways or you see the stripes appear you are witnessing a display of submissiveness to the dominant fish, the books will tell you that generally the top of the pecking order is the largest male. However, with Discus it has been my experiece that it is the Females that are more dominant as young adults as they mature sexually faster than males. To acclimate the fish into a new condition you can use the API products of PH Down to set the ph chemically and worry about the reverse osmosis water when they start showing signs of spawning. Discus require patience and persistance and a key trait which separates Discus hobbyists from others and that is that Discus can be read they are quite communicative with their colouring and intensity with the way they approach the others in the shoal if it is angular it is about spawning and territory if the attack is head on it is usually about food dominance. These are the closest to mammals as a fish can get as the fry are completely dependant on the secretions of the parents to survive for the first 5-10 days of their lives. The large hatcheries have manual methods and it does work at home however, the fry never come out the same quality as when the parents feed them . It is an awesome sight to behold watching these giant disc's manouvering hundreds of fry and being so careful not to eat them. If you condition your fish properly they will not be skiddish which only helps when they start to breed especially if they recognize that every time you are coming to the tank your bringing treats. Within weeks of getting new fish or growing fry my fish buddies know I am always in their face and they get use to it to the point where they will hand feed and I have no problem putting my hand in the tank when they are spawning...where most Cichlids would freak and try to take a chunk out of your finger. I am a proponent of these beauties and with knowledge that prevention is the key to Discus health they are not that hard to take care of, it all about dedication and the more you read and personally experience the more you realize these fish are special with personalities and no two are identical ...So Please take the dive and enjoy the beauty of South American Cichlids . Suitable tankmates are rams, apisto's and cory's. The only bottom feeders that work for Discus are Salt and Pepper Corys they tolerate the most extreme temperatures and the Ancistrus pleco it is a small Albino pleco that doesn't get big enough to feed off the Discus' body like other plecos and plecos in general do not do well with Discus as they do not tolerate high temps up to 86 and develope parasites they so generously pass on to your Discus. Other meds to have on hand...Prazipro as med cure ... Blackwater/Amazon extract helps the acidity levels and they love the merky but clean water. ... Ammonia reducers in your filter Mopani wood or Driftwood that can sink and hold itself down only lava rocks absolutely no lime stone Plastic plants at top floating as Discus hate being approached from above without hiding spots...always clean out uneaten food. Feed small amounts many times a day. For growing out fish fast a bucket of water change everyday...helps to stimulate them as well a proper current in the tank will help grow out their full fin potential thus highlighting the deep blues/purples/yellows and reds. I hope this helps you can always get back and pass on any other questions Good luck Discus rule!

11-26-2011, 02:59 AM	#5 (permalink)
williemcd williemcd's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 313 My location Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 4 Times Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 78 Times in 77 Posts	Re: Is this true? I'm finding Discus are as easy as Angels.. Angels are hard as Discus.. (Note I capitalize Discus)... back in the old days.. wild caughts required 4.5-6.0 ph.. black water extracts, peat moss inserts etc. Today's Discus are mainly tank raised.. ph. 6.6 or above. Not a big issue as it used to be. Water softness/hardness.. Im fortunate that all I have to do is introduce some driftwood to keep it soft.. In leu of driftwood?.. Collect a handfull of oak leaves, bind the stems together and dump em into the tank. Almond leaves are sold online for the same purpose but I've a forest of Oaks that accomplish the same mission.. Bare bottom tanks?... I'm totally against them. I profoundly believe that as keepers of our captures we've a responsiblilty to maintain them in an as natural environment and humanly or fiscally possible. My tanks are heavily planted.. PFS substrate and I do NO WATER CHANGES other than replenishment for vacuuming the substrate and natural evaporation. There are a number of Discus breeders that feel the same way... It's true that the overwhelming majority of breeders adhere to Amz's discipline as stated.. But me?.. My nr one mission statement is to provide the habitat they feel most comfortable with. Disclaimer:... I've only had 8 since they were nickle sized and now approaching 4 inches.. I could probably grow them out faster were that my mission.. Amz?.. Got a dozen fry avail for sale?.... Looking for a doz turq's.. green or blue... not into reds for some reason.. Bill in Va. p.s. I've had more problems with German Blue Rams than with Discus!...Go figure. __________________ 12 Tanks, 900 gallons. Discus/Angels/Malawi/Lake Victorias. Just added a 135 & 2 - 29's..

Members currently in the chatroom: 1
	The most chatters online in one day was 16, 03-02-2012. CrazyMFFM

11-26-2011, 03:32 AM	#6 (permalink)
aquarimum Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 113 Name: Karen Location: South Sweden Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 13 Times Said "Thanks" 107 Times Was Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Is this true? A huge thankyou to you both for all that useful and very interesting info. Discus are definately a fish I would like to get but first I need a bigger tank. Well christmas is coming who knows what santa will bring ) My only concern would be what to do with all those babies. Is it hard to tell the difference between male and female and can you keep just one sex in the tank to stop excess breeding. Dont get me wrong I would really love to have breeding discus but I dont think its fair if there is nowhere to put them. There are plenty for sale here both in stores and private sellers so the market is a bit swamped. Its a real dilemma. Ive heard that cardinal tetras are also good to have with discus is that true? many thanks again __________________ thanks Karen 200 liter tank, jbl canister filter, hydor external inline heater containing: 3 dalmation sailfin mollies 2 saffron balloon mollies 3 sunset platies 10 neon tetras 4 male guppies 3 panda corys 2 spotted corys 2 leopard plecos (rehoming soon) 2 mosaic gouramis 3 dwarf gourami 5 pink tetra 5 glass catfish 40 liter with 7 molly fry and a bumblebee shrimp :fish

11-26-2011, 03:40 AM	#7 (permalink)
williemcd williemcd's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 313 My location Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 4 Times Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 78 Times in 77 Posts	Re: Is this true? If you reach a point where you're overwhelmed with Discus off-spring.. Please post an article on how you accomplished such a feat!... And be assured you'll have an outlet for even month old fry here!.... Bill in Va. __________________ 12 Tanks, 900 gallons. Discus/Angels/Malawi/Lake Victorias. Just added a 135 & 2 - 29's..

11-26-2011, 03:50 AM	#8 (permalink)
williemcd williemcd's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 313 My location Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 4 Times Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 78 Times in 77 Posts	Re: Is this true? Sorry,.. I was so excited about some Discus fry that I neglected to answer your other more pressing question. Cardinals.. Black Neon's, Neon's, Cory's.. all of them co-exist in my Discus tank.. I should add on to my original post.. My tanks are heavily planted.. no CO2.. no additional ferts.. Just fish poo... I too admit that my keeping conditions are not as conducive to exceptional growth.. I liken that to steroids... Again,,,I believe we are keepers of our charges and should offer them the best environment for them rather than personal gratification of "what I accomplished".. BOTH schools of thought are valid..Mine is just the one I pursued.. Bill in Va. __________________ 12 Tanks, 900 gallons. Discus/Angels/Malawi/Lake Victorias. Just added a 135 & 2 - 29's..

11-26-2011, 03:09 PM	#9 (permalink)
aquarimum Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 113 Name: Karen Location: South Sweden Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 13 Times Said "Thanks" 107 Times Was Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Is this true? Yet another thankyou ) My problem is that I live in Sweden though I am British and there doesnt seem to be as much demand here for discus. Ive seen several people selling them for around 25 english pounds each but a breeding pair is around 250 but I guess thats worth it. They dont seem to be able to sell their excess discus which is a real shame. Aquarium shops dont always stock them cause they need so much space. Wish I lived in the US __________________ thanks Karen 200 liter tank, jbl canister filter, hydor external inline heater containing: 3 dalmation sailfin mollies 2 saffron balloon mollies 3 sunset platies 10 neon tetras 4 male guppies 3 panda corys 2 spotted corys 2 leopard plecos (rehoming soon) 2 mosaic gouramis 3 dwarf gourami 5 pink tetra 5 glass catfish 40 liter with 7 molly fry and a bumblebee shrimp :fish

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)