Need Some info on growing out discus

[curt_914]

Ok guys I am on simply discus as well. There is some good info but I feel that quite a few people there are rude and sent in there ways. Most seem to feel that there is only one way to cook a steak, and it is very discourageing to ask for any help. So on to my question;

About 2.5 years ago I bought 6 discus and slowly but surley over the course of a couple years lost them all. I believe it was bad stock from my LFS and one problem compounded another. Needless to say the tank was in another room and I stoped doing regular WC due to life and getting discouraged. I lost my last discus 4 months ago. I am tearing down the tank and starting from scratch. My tank is a 55 gallon Aga, will have 2 -200 watt titanium heaters, An eheim 2217, and a mag drive 5 pulling a DIY UGF with a co2 reactor on it. lighting is provided by 3x 54 watt t5 ho. My tank will be minimly planted with Crypts, moss, and some Hygro spcs. And have driftwood an rock. I am going to be ordering 6-8 2.5 to 3" fish. I have a 20 gallon Bare bottom set up with a HOB filter, heater, sponge filter, and twin t5 light strip. Botom and back covered with black vinyl to grow my fish out to about 3.5 to 4" before they go in my 55 gallon tank.

My water params are 7.2-7.5 out of tap GH about 12 degrees hardness, I do not have a tds meter yet. My goal is to do daily to Bi daily WC of 50-75% and feed 4-6 times a day with the help of a auto feeder, high quality discus pelets. Are there any other recomendtions you would have for me to make my second atempt beter then my first. Where I am ordering my fish they are kept in city water at 7.3 from there tap. So Are smaller fish harder to keep and grow out? And would you change anything with what I have outlined for my success in keeping a school of discus, other then go with a different or less expensive fish, or just drop a $1000 on adult fish. Your input is appericated.

Thanks for your time,

Curt " The Frustrated hobbist"

[ScottFish]

The frequent water changes will definately help those young Discus grow nicely. I think the number of times you'll feed them seems a bit much --I'm sure you'll won't feed them much each time. Will you feed them fresh or frozen foods (blood worms are a favorite)? Any plans for dither fish to help settle them? They'll need places to hide to reduce their stress, also think about the location of your tank. When my tank was near a door and alot of activity, the fish were timid, but they are now located in a darker, secluded room, and are very active. Finally, regarding the fish feeder: when I used it they were spooked by every person who walked by. Now I personally feed them --and guess what? They are ALWAYS at the front of the tank looking for handouts. Great, beautiful fish. Hope this helps.

[AdamCichlid]

I agree with everything ScottFish has said, I feed mine just live worms and Ocean Nutrition Discus Formula frozen cubes, and they seem to be growing nice and round. I do 40 percent water changes every 3 days. They love plants and have plenty of hiding spaces.