| For Discus fish, there are 2 consideration in tanks | | | | tanks are utilized for every breeding pair. |
| - tank depth and volume. Because of their size | | | | A bare bottomed tank with at 2 ½ gallons |
| and swimming habits, a minimum of 18" is needed | | | | of water per inch of fish, a couple of sponge |
| for tank depth, the deeper the better. Regarding | | | | filters and a canister filter with activated carbon in |
| volume, a good rule of thumb is that each adult | | | | it is used to begin the process. This is maintained |
| discus will need 10 gallons of water. Larger tanks | | | | at 6.6 - 6.8 PH, and the temperature is set at 82 |
| will also give more stable water conditions, and | | | | to 84 degrees F. We make 50% water changes |
| taking into account other considerations the | | | | weekly, and some breeders will go as high as |
| minimum size for a discus show tank should be no | | | | 95%. Optimal results would be achieved with a |
| less than 55 gallons. It is also advisable to use a | | | | 15% water change daily. Because Discus produce |
| rectangular tank. Not only are they cheaper, but | | | | slime on their body, and it is shed regularly,it coats |
| are more efficient, because they maximize | | | | the inner surface of the tank and promotes |
| surface area. Surface area is the most important | | | | bacterial growth. A safe bet is to wipe down |
| factor in buying a tank. Why? Because it is only at | | | | every discus tank every week. There are |
| the surface of the tank that gas exchange | | | | commercial sponges and brushes available to do |
| occurs. (Oxygen in, Carbon dioxide out.) Assuming | | | | this chore. |
| you have a seventy five gallon show tank, and it's | | | | Because Discus are large fish, they require clean |
| biological filter is working as required, up to | | | | water and proper filtration. The tank must be |
| twenty young fish 3 inches in size, or 6 or 8 fully | | | | "cycled" and tested for nitrates/nitrites before |
| adult discus can comfortably inhabit the tank. An | | | | placement of Discus in the tank. Our policy is to |
| outside filter may be added to large tanks to | | | | use fish such as some of the more common |
| increase basic aeration and biological filtration | | | | cichlids to "cycle" the tank. A good rule of thumb |
| needs. | | | | here is to wait at least 4 weeks before |
| Keep in mind that when young discus fish are | | | | attempting to place Discus with the "cycling" fish. |
| small,they grow fast and become quite large in a | | | | If you are active in the aquarist community, a |
| short period of time if fed well and water quality | | | | friend might possibly loan you some "cycling fish" |
| is maintained. If your tank is too small they will | | | | to begin your project, and the "cyclers" can be |
| not be happy and it will quickly stunt their growth. | | | | returned to their owner upon completion of the |
| Juvenile discus should not be kept in overly large | | | | cycle. |
| tanks. Being a social fish, Discus tend to become | | | | Discus prefer soft water, due to the constant |
| very skittish in large tanks. In our hatchery, we | | | | rainfall and run-off in their natural habitat. We are |
| place 6 Discus up to 1.5" in a 29-gallon tank. They | | | | more concerned, however, with cleanliness. It is |
| will be moved tp larger tanks when they get to | | | | much better to have a high quality of hygiene in |
| 2.5", and show possible signs of "pairing off". | | | | the tank than it is having optimal water conditions, |
| Always try to buy the largest tank you can | | | | though we strive for both. Discus will adapt to |
| afford for discus fish. | | | | most conditions, including PH up to 7.8 and |
| If breeding Discus is a consideration later on, | | | | 350-ppm microsiemens of hardness, but cannot |
| tanks can be down sized to twenty gallons per | | | | survive in constantly changing water conditions or |
| pair. At our hatchery, 29 gallon rectangular glass | | | | dirty water. |