phidelt85
Sat Aug 05, 2006, 07:35 PM
Hey all!! Just needed some advice on my next tank setup. I am looking to setup a discus tank for my wife (she changed her mind from Mbuna's to Discus after our last trip to the LFS).
First question: I am looking at two different tanks. 125gal (72 1/2 x 18 1/2 x 23 3/8, i believe) and a 150gal (48x24x31, the one I was looking at). I understand that discus like taller tanks; would the 150 be better because of the extra 8" in height with a loss of 24" in length? or although I lose 25gal of capacity is the 125gal better because it is longer but shorter in height. Note: the 150 gal is a heck of a steal @ $350 vs. 125gal @ $340.
I'm kinda leaning towards the 125gal because it is longer; therefore, giving more of an area to establish territories amongst the discus or any other fish I may have in there.
Second question: I am looking for some tankmates for Discus. I am looking to keep between 6-10 Discus. I have looked at cardinal tetras and may get a school of ~20. I want to get some blue Rams as well but don't know how many (I can find these pretty easily locally). How about Apistos? With blue rams or alone?
How about any combination of the following and preferrable quantities:
Von Rio Tetras (already have some of these and want to move them over)
Gouramis (dwarfs)
Clown loaches
Some type of Synodontis
Farlowella (how big do these guys get? I have read max 8" is this true?)
any other suggestions would be appreciated
Third question: I want to setup a planted tank. Would a laterite substrate w/ a top layer of Pool filter sand work well. I want a planted tank to make it look more like a natural biotope. I like the aesthetics of plants and believe it brings a different sense of life to the tank.
Fourth question: Concrete backgrounds and Discus water chemistry. Once cured I wouldn't foresee any problems but I wanted to have some input from anyone that has tried it.
First question: I am looking at two different tanks. 125gal (72 1/2 x 18 1/2 x 23 3/8, i believe) and a 150gal (48x24x31, the one I was looking at). I understand that discus like taller tanks; would the 150 be better because of the extra 8" in height with a loss of 24" in length? or although I lose 25gal of capacity is the 125gal better because it is longer but shorter in height. Note: the 150 gal is a heck of a steal @ $350 vs. 125gal @ $340.
I'm kinda leaning towards the 125gal because it is longer; therefore, giving more of an area to establish territories amongst the discus or any other fish I may have in there.
Second question: I am looking for some tankmates for Discus. I am looking to keep between 6-10 Discus. I have looked at cardinal tetras and may get a school of ~20. I want to get some blue Rams as well but don't know how many (I can find these pretty easily locally). How about Apistos? With blue rams or alone?
How about any combination of the following and preferrable quantities:
Von Rio Tetras (already have some of these and want to move them over)
Gouramis (dwarfs)
Clown loaches
Some type of Synodontis
Farlowella (how big do these guys get? I have read max 8" is this true?)
any other suggestions would be appreciated
Third question: I want to setup a planted tank. Would a laterite substrate w/ a top layer of Pool filter sand work well. I want a planted tank to make it look more like a natural biotope. I like the aesthetics of plants and believe it brings a different sense of life to the tank.
Fourth question: Concrete backgrounds and Discus water chemistry. Once cured I wouldn't foresee any problems but I wanted to have some input from anyone that has tried it.