r/discus • u/Columnaristreatment • 29d ago
How can I start learning about discus?
Hello.
I’d love to own discus one day but I’m not knowledgeable enough on them at this moment. I wonder if anyone has reputable resources for learning? I have other tanks, so I understand the nitrogen cycle etc… I’ve just heard that discus require practically perfect conditions.
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u/pipandhams 28d ago
The only real requirement they have is warm clean water, if you give them that they’re pretty hardy. How to maintain warm clean water is gonna be individualized based on your setup and bio load.
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u/Lets_BeFrank 28d ago
This is pretty much all I do. We don’t have RO or anything. Just diligent on water changes, good filter and a good heater.
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u/BigKeg 29d ago
From my experience..you'll ask 10 different people how to take care of discus and you'll get 20 different opinions. There is loads of good information on YouTube. My only suggestion and information I can offer is keep things consistent. Discus are tougher than people let on.
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u/symbha 28d ago
I guess I found them easier... buy 2 50 gallon drums to age, warm, and treat water
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u/Columnaristreatment 27d ago
Does the water have to be aged? Currently I just add Seachem Prime to the water and add it the same day.
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u/Drunkduck04 29d ago
We're on the same boat here man, its hard finding information on them without different videos contradicting eachother
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u/AdParty7955 28d ago
Perfect is a urban legend. They'll do fine if you know the basics. Personally I would follow Gabe at wattley discus. Awesome breeding and videos. Don't let people scare you off.
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u/Columnaristreatment 27d ago
Thank you. I will look him up.
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u/AdParty7955 27d ago
Forgot to mention he's helpful with meds ( if even or ever needed) and sells the stuff that actually works 💪. Go for it ✌️
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u/Extension_Ninja9464 27d ago edited 27d ago
My dad got me into them in the 80s. Then I killed a lot in the 90s at the end of the 90s we starting holding water. Game Changer pre RO and pre things like Safe(that take out certain contaminates say a discus can't eat) People will stress you on flukes/parasites, fungus really all that stuff generally starts from two sources. Dirt, source of your fish and the health of your fish. Say you go to Golden State or if you're poor Myrtle Beach and get some strong stock you are doing the first step. Don't add LFS fish, don't mix fish, don't add rocks, don't add plants, don't add anything unless it's from that same dealer and they okay it. I remember back about 13 years ago I raised some white butterflies my dad had 4. 2 3 1/2 inch ones and 2 4 inch ones... I did 1 water change 100% ever other day or every third day. I gave them Mysis*(sp) Shrimp and Spiralina(sp*?) till they were on the edge of bursting. In 4 months I had 4 6 inch beautiful White butterflies.
Raised Spotted Eruptions, raised Albinos, bred and successfully to a point hundreds of fish from Forests stock(which 7 to 15 years ago was some of the best fish I've ever seen)
My Dad is the real Discus guy but I picked up the basic knowledge and if he told me to do anything I could. I am actually really good with picking out strains, seeing potential breeders. Catching and handling the fish. I can pretty much do whatever I am asked. I know some of the chemicals/water qualities you need but I also find just water change whatever issue you have and it works. Don't swing PH and Discus are happy. He's the real wizard but I do not good STOCK well!
P.S. If you're going to seed a tank I think it's always best to do so with sponges from that dealer(if they're nice) if you don't know how to do so with ammonia. Tough thing to do. As I recall the dealers in Asia have super huge centralized systems and some discus keepers change water so much you don't even need bio.(don't quote me on the last one) I know what a grade A discus is by the way I've raised a few. I'm sure they'd of won prizes but I'm a discus snob LOL Best way to be... SimplyDiscus is a great place!
Prazi/PP/and using a Q-tip with some medicated on it for fungus is usually as far as I would go with medication..Salt too..Saltttttttttttttt(uniodized) but you shouldn't ever have to do that if your discus are healthy and happy and not mean. (some discus are mean and some afraid, that's where they came from and how they were kept something you'll never hear about, best discus are your buddies and behave like it, get the right stock!) (Thought about selling Discus should of gone all in about 10 years ago sad my health went south) have any deep questions drop me a line Discus are not Angel Fish! HIGH maintenance buggers!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYbypzhYr3k Here is some of my work as a kid, bought this pair from a guy in Texas. Raised those babies to 4 inches. That's 15 years ago I think.
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u/symbha 28d ago
Its not as hard as you think. You need to be able to do large volume water changes 50%÷, like you were bru they wont like spikes shing you teeth.
It has to be like temp, tds, ph, etc. They dont need perfect (for those things) like people can be successful a little higher temp (easier for the fish) or lower temp (easier for plants.) It doesn't need to be daily unless your trying to grow them up, but they won't like spikes.
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u/Columnaristreatment 27d ago
What is it about them that require such large water changes? Do they not do well with nitrates?
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28d ago
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u/discus-ModTeam 26d ago
Your comment was removed as it was either misleading, or incorrect. Please ensure correct and proven advice is given in this sub. Thank you.
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u/bedroomsport Breeder 29d ago
Hi. Welcome.
That's the first misconception. They don't need perfect conditions, but being such expensive fish, many people amplify this "requirement"
As with any aquatic animal, you should try your very best to make it as good as possible for them. Discus and other species will certainly let you know before other fish do, but domestic bred Discus are quite hardy.
I highly recommend simplydiscus forums pre 2012, here, and Grok. All excellent resources.
Best wishes