Discus tank lighting

[newbie]

Hi everybody,

I was just wondering what people use/recommend for lighting on their Discus tank? I want to simulate as close as possible their natural environment while allowing good plant growth and also the ability to admire them. Im in the planning stages of a 6ft long X 2ft wide X 2.5ft high tank.

Thanks

[mistakes r crucial]

Hi Newbie,

IME Discus don't like too bright a light but they will get used to almost anything eventually. I don't know anything about plants but in their natural environment they are few and far between anyway, lots of bog wood and dead trees and the water is quite dark through tannins in the water. On the other hand you have to go along way to find anything more beautiful than a nicely planted display tank with Discus in it, they look awesome.

With a 2.5ft high tank you may have issues with certain types of plants unless you are prepared you buy and run very strong lighting. I think alot of people use HPS (High Pressure Sodium) bulbs, similar to hydroponic lighting but they can be very expensive to run at between 600 and 1000 watts a piece.

The best of luck with it, if you get it right with that sized tank you will have one helll of a display tank.
MAC

[newbie]

Thanks Mistakes, i'll certaily be posting pics etc of my travels :-)

[endless]

Metal halides. I have 2x150w and some fluros in my 5 foot tank. Scares any new discus shitless (sorry about french) but they eventually get used to it as mentioned by mistakes

[AussieStar]

u can get some alright PC globes from reefonline.com.au, 6500K goof for plants i have 2 of these and 2 150s mhs over my 6x2x2 planted works great for plants but i dont have any discus in there yet

[rytis]

Hi everybody,

I was just wondering what people use/recommend for lighting on their Discus tank? I want to simulate as close as possible their natural environment while allowing good plant growth and also the ability to admire them. Im in the planning stages of a 6ft long X 2ft wide X 2.5ft high tank.

Thanks
i do my light in 2 shifts back 9-5, front 3-12. very bright lights, and i made ornaments from concrete for fish to hide under and also raise lights loving plants http://vytasornamental.net/sep14'05aq-closet.jpg