Can discus survive in planted tank?

**nickpower** · 8th Oct 2003, 00:30

Hi,

From what I know discus fish thrive well in slightly warm water. But in planted tank the idea temperature is around 27-29 degrees. I am wondering how those people who manage to keep discus together with other tropical fish in a community tank.

Anyone has knowledge on this?

**Kingfisher** · 8th Oct 2003, 23:29

I have seen pictures of Discus in planted tanks and they seem to be healthy.

**Simon** · 8th Oct 2003, 23:45

discus should do well in a planted tank, the only problem u will face is feed and build up of nitrate

**spilopterus** · 9th Oct 2003, 03:39

In fact, they will actually breed. Singapore waters and temperature is quite good for discus. The record I have thus far is breeding in about a week. And that was just feeding them one cube of frozen bloodworm a day.

Some problems however might be the discus being afraid of the bright lights. But they used to it. If they are very skittish, then you'll see them remain hidden.

Less is better, keeping about 3-4 in a 3ft is actually more than enough. Also, do not buy small ones and hope to raise them up. Your planted tank will not be able to cope. Just get nice adults. The initial cost it high, but no regrets for myself lah.

**Kingfisher** · 9th Oct 2003, 20:27

Won't the excess Nitrate be absorbed by the plants? I seen other posts about adding Nitrate as the fish population does not supply enough of it.

**theodore** · 9th Oct 2003, 20:53

Nutrient uptake, incl. Nitrate (NO3), depends on the amount of light and CO2 available to the plants. Planted tanks with large, greedy fishes such as discus will have much more organic waste in the form of ammonia (eventually converted to NO3) and Phosphorus (some of it converted to PO4 while the remaining amount is diluted via water changes).

**brian_reeves** · 19th Dec 2005, 10:44

i have a 120 gallon, heavily planted, heavily populated tank with 5 discus in it so far. everyone's happy, and there's about 100 fish in there give or take. i change the water once a week, about 25% and everyone's happy fish and plants. so yes indeed it is possible to have your cake and eat it too.
good luck to you, b

**Harsh** · 1st Mar 2006, 21:42

@brian_reeves
do you have CO2 in your tank. if yes did you have any 'pH swing' problems. also do you have aeration for O2? cause i read that aeration loses CO2 quickly and without aeration the O2 level seems to decrease.

**brian_reeves** · 2nd Mar 2006, 14:22

Yes, I have CO2 running in my tank. I have a pressurized tank going to a diffuser, which leads to a couple ladders (or flipper in this part of the world).

Haven't monitored pH swings from time to time during the day, just checked to ensure my CO2 levels weren't too high. I don't run aeration while I run my CO2, defeats the purpose. My system is on timers so that when my lights come on, my co2 kicks in, and at night when my lights go off, the CO2 does as well, and at that point my aeration kicks in and runs at night. Been running my tank for over a year now, currently have 7 discus in tank, along with many other fish, and all the plants I can comfortably fit.

The only problem I've had was from experimenting with beefheart, not something I would recommend unless you have a glass bottom tank. I lost a couple fish to 'white stuff' that built up at the bottom of the tank, but it's all under control now. Anyways, I've rambled on enough now, so I hope I could be of help, if you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me.

Cheers,
brian

**StanChung** · 2nd Mar 2006, 16:34

Originally Posted by brian_reeves

...at night when my lights go off, the CO2 does as well, and at that point my aeration kicks in and runs at night.
The only problem I've had was from experimenting with beefheart, not something I would recommend unless you have a glass bottom tank. I lost a couple fish to 'white stuff' that built up at the bottom of the tank, but it's all under control now. Anyways, I've rambled on enough now, so I hope I could be of help, if you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me.

Cheers,
brian

the running of aeration at night is very good, even for non discus but planted tanks. aerobic bacteria will convert all that mulm quickly into no3.
less algae probs. highly recommended. since i started doing that, the water looks clearer.

bh is a problem...you need some scrap eaters. i favour yamatos and apistos that can feed between the carpet of E tennelus...choice of carpet grass critical in this case. however not all apistos like discus temps. IME 25-28c is good range.
i noticed discus live longer in cooler waters...26-28c.
not the typical breeder setups which are 29 to 32c.

**sage08** · 2nd Mar 2006, 17:21

i think how u introduce them to the planted tank is critical for discus. heating the tank to 30 degrees, throw in some ketapang leaves to create blackwater effect and lower the ph, also add some salt into the tank and do frequent water change for the first month.. tht will do the trick and even when u revert to your usual parameter the following months, they should do well..

**StanChung** · 2nd Mar 2006, 17:35

the problem is not all plants can tolerate 30C...
choices are pretty limited.
also tank mates have to be chosen carefully if you want community tank.

30c is too warm for sturisoma aureum and otos and also royal panaque. killed quite a few. stupid mistakes...

**Harsh** · 2nd Mar 2006, 17:43

Thank you for all your help guys

one more query : can amazon swords adjust to the high temperatures? i keep the temp at 30 C. My LFS guy says that they should be fine. he even has some Amazon swords in his show tanks.

**StanChung** · 2nd Mar 2006, 17:50

yes, definitely...for most species of Echinodorus aka sword plants...same same temp discus water...and very hardy

btw you don't have to have constant temp of 30c. 27-29C is a very good compromise.

**Harsh** · 2nd Mar 2006, 17:52

OK i'll gradually decrease the temp and maybe keep it around 28 C.
thanks for all the help.

**StanChung** · 2nd Mar 2006, 17:56

that's good because at 28c you can keep java moss, sg moss, glosso, java ferns, bolbitis...[i'm discus+planted freak too!]

**Harsh** · 2nd Mar 2006, 18:06

I sure wish to have all that in my tank but i get nothing where i live. i'll have to get it from somewhere else... let the amazons grow a bit first then will plant more plants.

how many discus do you have??