I'm setting up a 36x15x18" quarantine tank for new stock, with the intention of using it for grow out after treatment. I've got a plan in mind - treat the fish for worms and other potential issues, then move them to a bare bottom tank for grow out with heavy feeding and large daily water changes. This way, I should end up with nice, healthy fish for my planted display.
I can easily do 50% daily water changes with heated, dechlorinated water in just a couple of minutes. I'd like to get some confirmation that my plan will work.
I'll be holding 6 fish at a time - treat, then grow out. I'll be buying them at around 3" and feeding a mix of food 5 times a day, with 50% daily water changes.
What kind of growth can I expect, and how long before I can move them to the display tank as adults?
Will this work
Re: Will this work
Re: Will this work
Considering the growth rate of a typical Discus, it's worth noting that a 3.5-inch Discus is generally around 3-4 months old, assuming it's from a fry. If you're purchasing them at 3 inches, you can expect a slightly different timeline.
Assuming proper care and upkeep, a Discus should reach around 5 inches by the time it's 6-9 months old. By 12-15 months, they should be at least 5.5 inches, and by 2 years, they can reach 6-7 inches. However, this is heavily dependent on various factors, and different strains may have varying growth rates.
Considering the growth rate of a typical Discus, it's worth noting that a 3.5-inch Discus is generally around 3-4 months old, assuming it's from a fry. If you're purchasing them at 3 inches, you can expect a slightly different timeline.
Assuming proper care and upkeep, a Discus should reach around 5 inches by the time it's 6-9 months old. By 12-15 months, they should be at least 5.5 inches, and by 2 years, they can reach 6-7 inches. However, this is heavily dependent on various factors, and different strains may have varying growth rates.
Re: Will this work
Re: Will this work
Your plan seems solid, I think you're on the right track. Assuming you're starting with 3" discus, you're looking at around 3-4 months to reach 4.5-5" size. What's the size of your main display tank, btw?
Your plan seems solid, I think you're on the right track. Assuming you're starting with 3" discus, you're looking at around 3-4 months to reach 4.5-5" size. What's the size of your main display tank, btw?
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Luckykeeper - Posts: 23
- Joined: Thu Feb 24, 2022 7:35 am
Re: Will this work
Re: Will this work
My main display tank is 78x20x24" with a 60x15x18" sump, plenty of space for the discus to thrive. I'm planning to keep two groups of six, and the idea is to condition the first group and get them settled in the display tank before starting the second group.
I do have some concerns, though - would keeping six discus in the display tank initially be understocking, potentially causing issues, or will I face aggression problems when introducing the second group?
My main display tank is 78x20x24" with a 60x15x18" sump, plenty of space for the discus to thrive. I'm planning to keep two groups of six, and the idea is to condition the first group and get them settled in the display tank before starting the second group.
I do have some concerns, though - would keeping six discus in the display tank initially be understocking, potentially causing issues, or will I face aggression problems when introducing the second group?
Re: Will this work
Re: Will this work
Aggression is always a possibility with discus, but I think you'll be fine with 6 in the display. There will be some pecking order, that's just discus being discus. I personally would do more than 6, but I don't think you'll have major issues unless you've got a real troublemaker in the group.
Aggression is always a possibility with discus, but I think you'll be fine with 6 in the display. There will be some pecking order, that's just discus being discus. I personally would do more than 6, but I don't think you'll have major issues unless you've got a real troublemaker in the group.
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Luckykeeper - Posts: 23
- Joined: Thu Feb 24, 2022 7:35 am
Re: Will this work
Re: Will this work
Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it. I'm a bit limited by the size of my QT, so I was thinking of maybe doing a group of 8 in there, then selecting the best 6 for the display. That way, I'd have a bit more flexibility and could repeat the process with the second batch, ending up with a total of 12 in the display.
Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it. I'm a bit limited by the size of my QT, so I was thinking of maybe doing a group of 8 in there, then selecting the best 6 for the display. That way, I'd have a bit more flexibility and could repeat the process with the second batch, ending up with a total of 12 in the display.
Re: Will this work
Re: Will this work
This setup should work out fine. I've done something similar in the past with my first tank. Initially, I had six tiny discus, only 1.5 inches. I raised them in a 45, then moved them to a 125. Later on, I got another six discus at 2.5 inches, and I kept them in the 45 for over a month before moving them to the 125. By that time, they were all pretty close in size when I introduced them. Luckily, I haven't had to deal with any aggressive fish. With your tank and sump setup, I think you could easily accommodate eight discus in each group.
This setup should work out fine. I've done something similar in the past with my first tank. Initially, I had six tiny discus, only 1.5 inches. I raised them in a 45, then moved them to a 125. Later on, I got another six discus at 2.5 inches, and I kept them in the 45 for over a month before moving them to the 125. By that time, they were all pretty close in size when I introduced them. Luckily, I haven't had to deal with any aggressive fish. With your tank and sump setup, I think you could easily accommodate eight discus in each group.
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Luckykeeper - Posts: 23
- Joined: Thu Feb 24, 2022 7:35 am
Re: Will this work
Re: Will this work
Thanks for the feedback, Tom. Good to know I'm on the right track.
Thanks for the feedback, Tom. Good to know I'm on the right track.
Re: Will this work
Re: Will this work
You've got a solid plan in place. Now, are you planning on buying discus from a local store or having them shipped in online?
You've got a solid plan in place. Now, are you planning on buying discus from a local store or having them shipped in online?
Re: Will this work
Re: Will this work
Sounds like you're on the right track. I've had success using smaller tanks initially for quarantine and then moving them to larger ones as they grow - makes monitoring and treatment easier.
For a solid quarantine procedure, you might find this link helpful: http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showth...tine-Procedure
Sounds like you're on the right track. I've had success using smaller tanks initially for quarantine and then moving them to larger ones as they grow - makes monitoring and treatment easier.
For a solid quarantine procedure, you might find this link helpful: http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showth...tine-Procedure