cleaning your tank.

Hey guys,

Please forgive me for a basic question or 3.

How do you keep a planted discus tank clean???

How do you clean a pool sand substrate discus tank clean??

I have tanks with fish that don't mind me using a siphon tube gravel cleaner when cleaning up, but I have seen discus display their "stress bars" when one even approaches the tank.

How do you go about cleaning up the above setups as I'm considering one of the above.

I know filtration helps a lot and for this purpose I have a fluval cannister and Aquaclear 300 at my disposal.

Please advise a discus keeper wannabe.

Thanks

 

Hi Catfreak,

You would clean a Planted Discus tank like you would any other tank, with the exception that you would do it more frequently.

A clean up of the glas with a magnet once a week, gravel vac every 2 weeks, water changes twice weekly if possible. I prefer more small changes than one big one as the impact of small ones on water parameters are less.

Filtration sound good, what sizd tank? I'd maybe use the Aqua clear purely biological and the Canister both mechanical/biological.

A planted Discus tank is a catch 22 situation though. Discus, especially when young need to be fed many times a day and this leads to a great deal of waste which is easier to clean up in a bare bottom tank than planted tanks. I would use a piece of airline tubing and daily, just before lights out syphon all visible waste of the substrate and top up. You wouldnt be taking out more than 5liters at a pop, and refil it. This is not a w/c though...

Failure to do so will result in high nitrate values, and failure to feed properly will result in stunted and/or sick fish.

Hope it helps answering your question!

Rgds,
Marcco

 

Hey Marcco,

Thanks for the reply.

The tank is a 3 ft standard sized tank. Holds around 95litres or so.

I really don't mind the regular workload but I have read that the bare bottom setup is a lot easier to maintain.

until I consider myself somewhat capable of doing a good jod with discus then only will I attempt greater difficulty situations....like these stunning planted tanks on here

I'm currently looking around for quality fish and hope I come across some good ones here in dbn....so just doing proper research before jumping in.

Thanks again.

 

mmm problem... your tank too small for Discus... 250lit minimum

 

Oh boy,

That means I'm looking at a 4ft tank minimum for that.

I really didn't plan on changing tanks just yet.

I just got my 3ft tank about 8 months ago and was just given another 3 ft by a family member....going to have to look at putting them up for sale.

Hmmm...and so the list of requirements grows lol.

Thanks again....much appreciated.