Discus community Tank

Ok I have 2 300watts so thats a watt per L thought that was the std rule, No fish or water in my tank yet so I can try the above suggestion safely. Thanks. Mr. G

 

You can test and get water temp perfect while your tank is cycling.

 

cycling??

 

300W Jagers are rated for 600-1000l. Just because you use a 300W heater on a 100l tank, doesn't mean it will have high temps. It just means that it will go from cold to the required temp a lot quicker than say a 100W heater.

Not all 300W heaters are the same. Take ViaAqua/AquaH20 300W heaters. You'll be lucky if they heat more than 300litres effeciently

 

The Jaeger heaters seem to heat more water per watt than the cheapo ones! This could possibly be due to the fact that these Jaegers are very long, so more surface is in contact with the water?

I have a cheapo 150 watt Dophin one on my 240Litre tank, ant its struggling to heat the water to 24 degrees, and thats turned upto 30!

Hence why Jaeger are more cost effective in the long run! Much more efficient, and usually survive for a longer lifespan! There are even reports that if the heater is proven to fail, that jaeger replaced it and even (don't quote me on this) replaced the value of lost fish! If thats true, its worth the extra for that kind of service!

Only prob is the Jaegers don't fit in shallow tanks too well!

Cheers
Big G!

 

Thanks guys, the jagers may be to long to fit in my sump but will have a look at them next time i'm at the fish shop. I think i bought some via aqua heaters but they are about a year old.

 

Hey NeilH! Seems we are crossing posts here! Yer, the heating more quickly is defo true, and as stated the efficiency is significantly better than the competition! I guess that its down to how well calibrated the heater is? I've never managed to recalibrate mine to match the actual temp in the tank, despite following the instructions to the letter!

Cheers
Big G!

 

Cycling is the conditioning of the water, discuss needs certain water requirements.

 

Are you talking about the nitrogen cycle?? Sorry never seen someone just call it cycling. I was going to fill the tank this week-end then i'm going to durbs for 3 weeks that should be enough time?? thought you were discussing something about temperature.

How will I keep my glass clean cause plecos dont do well with discus, what fish or snails could i use??

Do you need a leave catcher to stop the planted veg from blocking up my over-flow?? or will it be ok it I trim regularly.

Can i get a whiptail catfish in this tank with the other inmates.

 

Yep, if you going to fill it for 3 weeks with just water that will condition it but are you going to put any fish in it to start the bacteria in the filters etc.
Apples are always cool to keep and are nice to watch.
I have never run a overflow system, so wouldn't know about a leaf catcher.
would think a whiptail would be ok.

 

google apple snails...

yes you can get whiptails in your local fish shop (LFS)

 

Just filling your tank you wont cycle anything. You need a source of ammonia to kick start the cycle so that bacteria can colonise your filter media.

Something over your overflow is a good idea. I've lost countless numbers of fish due to them going through the overflow and getting stuck in filter media

 

What would be best to start with, which of the tetras will be the hardiest or a cory??

Cool will look at putting a fine mesch over the current over flow, at the moment it just has an eggcrate do you think that it small enough, a young tetra could possibly fit through the holes. 1cm x 1cm ??????

 

Use guppies they normally tough enough to survive most things, would put a fine mesh if you going to be keeping neons as well.

 

going away for 3 weeks so will probably only start it up once i'm back then., can I put plants during a cycle.

 

Yip this should help your tank to cycle faster... Just be sure not to add all your fish in one go, i would suggest that AFTER cycling your tank start by adding tetras etc and wait at least a week or 2 before adding discus, the reason for this is that altho your tank my be cycled the bacteria in your filter will prob still need to grow more to accomodate all your fish. If u put them all in it my be a shock to the system resulting in nitrate and nitrie level spike (not good)..

 

Don't know if thats right? Surely the plants will outcompete bacteria for consumption of ammonia making the cycling process longer

 

It depends on the amound of ammonia/ fish making poo in the tank. Thing to remember is that the plants will be staying in the tank absorbing ammonia and as they grow the rate at which they absorb it will go up thus making the boilogical capacity larger.
I think the most important think is the systems ablility to process waste whether it be by plants or beneficial bactria but then again i'm no expert.

 

Hi and welcome to TASA , i might be shot for saying this but i would not recommend discus unless you know what you are doing. Discus are a really finiky fish to keep and have very very specific needs. you dont want to loose R2000 worth of fish and worse you dont want sad fish . there are many fish out there that are stunning but are'nt as fussy