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Posted by John (192.31.86.35) on May 21, 2002 at 16:44:56:
Hello, I am thinking of starting a planted Discus Tank. I have tried this once with some success but in the end all the fish died. I was using a 55 gal. tank with dual Ehiem 2211 canister filters and a aquaclear 200 for additional chemical filtration if needed. I was using a dual light hood and 2 Tritan daylight bulbs. I cycled the tank with several small tetras and 20 plants for about three months. The temperature was around 82-85 degrees and the ph stayed around 6.5 through out the life of the tank. I did 30% weekly water changes and I flushed out the canister filters with tank water every three or four months. I rotated this operation between the two 2211's so that the bio-filtration would not be drastically interrupted. Once I felt that the tank was properly cycled and all plants and animals were thriving fairly well, I then decided to buy my Discus fish. I bought my Discus from a local pet store. They were fine for about six months and then they started developing serious problems. I found out later that some breeders feed their fry steroids to enhance the color and often times these fish will develop problems later in life. Because local pet stores are NOW not an option for me, I thought it would be best to try mail order breeders that specialize in Discus fish. One of the major problems that I am facing is the idea of a planted tank that will support Discus fish. There are some plant species that can handle the lower ph values which the Discus require; even so, many of these plants do not grow well in temperatures ranging from 80 to 85 degrees. Many people claim that the temp is not the real problem but it is the co2 concentration or lack of co2 in the water that harms plants more than temperature. Others claim that mineral content and water quality is the leading factor for a healthy tank. These people contend that bi-weekly water changes, up to 50%, will restore co2 levels and replenish some if not all of the mineral content which all plants need to thrive. They also say that depending on the tap water in your area, some trace elements and fertilizers may be needed. Lighting is also a big issue and all those who have planted tanks recommend 12 to 14 hours of intense light for proper plant growth. My question is: How do you feel about a planted tank for Discus fish? What would you recommend? Also, what would you recommend for a good filtration system. I thought I did all the right things, but now I am not so sure. Can you help me? Respectfully |
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