Mastering Your Discus Tank: Key Lessons After 3 Years

In this video, I'm going to share with you some of the lessons I've learned from 3 years of experience with starting and running a #discus #fishtank.
00:00 Introduction
01:45 Key Tip
02:05 Tank SIze
02:50 Filters
04:07 The fish
06:50 Water
07:55 Tank decoration
10:47 The little fish
By the end of this video, you'll have all the information you need to start your own discus tank, and you'll be able to revolutionize your fish tank! Thanks for watching!
If you're thinking about starting a discus and want some more info on setting things up, here's some great tips. I've had a discus tank now for three years. I wasn't quite daunted at the switch. A lot of conflicting info is out there and most of it was off putting. But I got discus anyway, and some of that mis information led me down a path I wouldn't take if I was starting again and I knew then, what I know now.
I'm no expert and not claiming to be one, but this is what I have learnt and found works in my three years of Discus fish keeping.
So rather than a standard how to set up a tank for discus, this is how id set one up with three years of experience.
Hope it helps you avoid some of the issues I ran into.
#aquarium #discusfish #tropicalfish #fishkeeping

[@timhorvat7432]

Great video. This is exactly the info I like to hear. So many websites just give vague general information for fish that isn’t helpful.

[@graemegorrie3545]

Good to hear you talking about whirling as it’s one of those ones most discus keepers are un aware of and most are unaware of how to prevent it from happening

[@richardbrownmusic101]

I had a 260 gallon tank that busted, I was into monster fish(aros, eels, bichirs, etc). It’s always been a dream to have discus so I just bought a 120 gallon with a sump. I’m fixing it up and starting my discus journey! Love the video man

[@discus.switch]

Thank you, hope the info helps you. They're such nice fish to keep and quite easy if you look after them properly. Good luck.

[@Alex_Correa]

I've been searching for a long time and am getting 210 gallon for wild angels and discus. Basically everything you said in this video is in my plans! It's going to be lots of money, but I'll take lot's of obstacles out of my way. Sump is a must! Canisters are so small and can fail big time! I basically do a 5 galllon water change every day filter feeding to export uneaten food. That is my normal practice and I don't even count that as maintenance. But because of that, my weekly water changes are about 40-50%. That is for 75gallon system with 10 young Altum angels, which many discus breeders consider much harder to keep than discus. Will keep the schedule with the 210 s they grow and add the discus from the same source. That is the very best. There is absolutely no way to escape from maintenance!!!! Cheers!

[@marianolteanu7360]

It' s verry beautifull the yellow discus. And white.. You have a beautifull discus fish..👋👋🌊

[@jamiesmith5846]

The point you make about the auto feeder and the granules is spot on. I used the auto feeder, set on a minimal delivery amount to begin with and timed to release in-between reduced beefheart feeds and they gradually started waiting for the granules… once they stop ignoring and taste the granules they seem to be hooked so it doesn’t take long. I’m also one of the lucky ones with my tap water… almost zero chlorine, minimal nitrate (although I still run it through an HMA) the only problem is the pH, which I have to buffer up, otherwise it’s too soft… great for Discus but not Stendker, which I have. They prefer pH7 and a level of hardness that wouldn’t be ideal for non Stendker bred fish. And yes, an army of corydoras and small fish to eat food remnants, especially if feeding beefheart. 😀

[@adamcenteno6155]

Thank you for debunking other people’s misconceptions about Discus keeping.

[@user-nr6uu9cl5c]

Love the video.

[@JasPR1000]

Enjoyed your presentation very much. Don't feel badly about not having a sump. I have two discus aquariums and one is a 180 gallon with a sump of 70 gallons and the other is a 167 gallon with all canister filtration. The canisters hold a heater but I also used an ehiem with an inline 400 watt heater so no need to have a heater in the aquarium. The canisters I favor now are the Oase 850 biomaster filter- it was a removable profiler sleeve that will make your life easy. It also has a built in heater. My sump is great but it can overflow when filling your aquarium so nothing is perfect. Cheers, JR

[@discus.switch]

Thank you, Im glad you enjoyed. The cannister do work well. Id like some fluidized K1, ive heard its good stuff. Is a sump noisy? that was my other worry.

[@JasPR1000]

yes, a sump can definitely be noisy. always some giggling in the background. You can get some designs that are much quieter but none are as silent as an Oase or ehiem. In my case I don't hear it any more but often at dinner parties or family gatherings a person will stop talking and say " do you hear running water?" lols As I mentioned I have one discus aquarium on a sump and another on canisters. I appreciate the benefits of the sump but I prefer my Oase biomasters and ehiems for the tranquility and worry free flooding thoughts. @@discus.switch

[@BeIlows]

@@discus.switch hi mate, my sump was loud, but once everything was established and got some slime coat it does quieten. Some filter wool and repositioning can optimise this process. Same as Jas, overflow from the sump is always a concern, especially since my tank isn’t drilled. Priming the lines when I want to do a bigger water change than normal is also quite annoying. Canisters definitely have their place in the world just because they’re so unbelievably easy to use and maintain. It also took me long time to find a pump that I was happy with. There are definitely a lot of choices and my guesses if you’re looking to minimise sound you’ll at least go through three or four before you find the perfect one. I’ve got no issue with keeping a few less fish in say a 120 gallon tank by not having a sump and instead using canisters. That’s pretty much the only benefit, the additional filtration and water volume allows you to keep more fish in a tank of any size.

[@rajadey4919]

​@@discus.switchThe K1 fluidized moving bed media is the perfect media for any sump. The K1 produces abundant amounts of beneficial brown gunk and it doesn't clog or needs to be cleaned. The only downside is the sound of the pump which is powering the air stone to circulate the K1 media in circular motion with aeration. It can be substituted with small ( wattage ) wavemaker's. Also depending on the return pump..a sump can circulate more greater volume of water than any canister filter. With fluidized moving bed their is no maintenance as such to clean and clear. It's effective surface area in filtration is 540 sq ft per cubic ft of filter.

[@ReinhardvonHolst]

Liked, loved and subbed. Peace from Berkshire. I used to keep discus 25 years ago when we had to keep them at 6 ph. I had 10 to start with then got rid of 8 when I had a breeding pair. I had to leave the hobby due to moving around so much. I really want to get back into keeping them.

[@adamcenteno6155]

Hey George. Nice to see you blu Discuss is alive and well.

[@discus.switch]

Hes looking good at the moment, I have hopes it may fade completely.

[@spp2000]

I have a 5x2x2 tank (150G/550L) with a 3 stage filtration on a 3x2x2 sump. Nothing complicated, the usual sponges, K1 and activated carbon cube and a UV steriliser. I live in a hot tropical city so I don't need heaters. I do 80-90% water change once a month and my 5 discus are doing fine. Usually around the end of the month I can see some haziness in the water but most of the people who come home are surprised the water is clear after 1 month of no maintenance. I think one of the reason for my low maintenance is I am fortunate enough to have my discus eat only pellet food and Australian black worms most of the time. Once every 15 days I give them BH/GH and/or regular shrimp (not freeze dried). I did loose some fish in the beginning but I strongly concur with your thoughts on spending more upfront and getting it from good breeder. Also, I just wanted to share this as I think discus are not really that brittle and can live happy on low maintenance tanks.

[@discus.switch]

Big filter are key I think. They can got for some time without a water change. But I've been feeding beefheart and I like to syphon the tank every few days to make sure none of that hangs about. If your routine works for you definitely stick to that.

[@BeIlows]

Big tank with five fish and decent filtration is an amazing combination. my 400 L and nine discus requires weekly water changes unfortunately.

[@9Sept]

I've had a lot of success with the cheap fish and no success with the expensive fifth I think it's just a buyer and the seller you have to know what you're looking for when you have these fish. I agree with buying a bunch of 4 inches in 2 inches. I think i'd better once when you get them small. And they grow with you cause they're very finicky. Also, it is where I find that it is very important to have small schooling fish and the tank. Not only just to clean up but to allow the disgusting note at the environment is safe.

[@paulkruger491]

Beautiful.

[@discus.switch]

Thank you!

[@adamlhotak8180]

A great tip is to find a fish breeder and he'll sell you the fish cheaper and will give guidance along the way.

[@Janstropical]

What color is the yellow with green called. Amazing ❤

[@MrWally18]

What size is this tank?

[@robg915]

If I could start again I wouldn't do hard high ph tap water. They will have all kinds of issues with ph 8.0 or higher (long term). How did you switch them over to RO? Was it a gradual change? I am interested in changing to RO I realize I'll kill all my beneficial bacteria once the ph lowers. Currently my ph is about 8.0

[@llomax1067]

My first round with discus didn't go well at all.... My second round will be a bare bottom and a sump.... Good stuff brother

[@discus.switch]

Bare bottom is much easier. I like a plant though. If you avoid beefheart it is a bit easier but they like beefheart.

[@rajadey4919]

A hobbyist name Ty Houston ( aquascaping ) is maintaining a heavily planted discus tank and doesn't feed beef heart mix..amazing how he is maintaining the tank.​@@discus.switch

[@matthewbrown5677]

Very good stuff... What foods do you use.?

[@discus.switch]

These get a mix. Three times a day. I have an auto feeder doing granules. I dont use any colour enhanced stuff. They have homemade beef heart and either a mussel, freeze dried blackworms or live white worms.

[@srajs5693]

Hi, what size is your tank? How many wound you recommend in a 300l tank? Thanks

[@discus.switch]

This is 540 litres. The more you have the more water youll have to change. Less fish is easier but you need to balance the bullying. At least a group of 6 Id say.

[@nppazcar4426]

What size fish tank do you think I should buy?

[@dev292]

Hi,do you feed any red enhancer to discus,and does it impact your yellow?

[@discus.switch]

No enhancers and watch what food you do give as nearly all foods fiddle with their colours. If you have yellows or white even check for food with krill meal in. Almost all granules have red colouring.

[@joseloya1274]

Thank you for the advice on feeding the yellow discus.

[@rajadey4919]

Please use some La Plata white sand as substrate and some petrified wood stones and Manzinita driftwood's. Maybe some root feeders ( plants ) at the background of the tank. Your tank is looking like the Kalahari desert.

[@discus.switch]

You cant have complex decor with Discus fish, its the number one mistake. Dont have gravel or any areas that food can get hidden out of reach and go off.

[@rajadey4919]

@@discus.switch Yes. You are right. Taking my words back.

[@g0g0Sutra]

@@discus.switchjust because you have not had success does not mean it can’t be done. You were trying to dispel myths then make a claim like this? Have a look on Father Fish’s channel, he has heavily planted dirt bottomed tanks, doesn’t do water changes and has healthy old discus.

[@adamcenteno6155]

I live in Puerto Rico and we don’t have any breeders so I have to get them from the local Petshop or I have bought some from Uncle Sam’s Discus.

[@discus.switch]

It works for some and im probably being unfair. Im sure some shops sell good discus but they are let down by the many shops that sell poor ones in a poor state and I think put a lot of people of when they struggle with these fish.

[@rupeshbirje6976]

What is the ideal tank size for 10 discuss

[@christophergarza210]

125 gallons

[@nwyk153]

I was from a Saltwater Reef tank for over 12 years, and keeping Discus now is a breeze -compare to the latter. just get the biggest Discus you can afford, they're tough as nails. avoid anything that is below 4", you are good.

[@paulkruger491]

You sound exactly like Mick Jagger lol.

[@discus.switch]

I'll take that as a compliment. 👍

[@paulkruger491]

@@discus.switch Its meant as one. He is fantastic lol. Miss You.

[@celticlady4821]

How clean do you think the Amazon forest rivers are? They’re full of decaying leaves, mud, rubble, mulm and insects. My discus are in a dirty heavily planted tank and I NEVER do water changes, well maybe twice a year. They’re thriving btw. 🎉

[@celticlady4821]

ps your fish are amazingly beautiful.

[@adamcenteno6155]

I remember when you lost that beauty.

[@adamcenteno6155]

They’ve become very expensive. Especially when you are ordering them from long distance.

[@discus.switch]

Yes I guess the food and heating bills make growing them.on quite expensive these days

[@cashicashi4904]

Where did you buy all of your discus ? Specially the red cover blue rim

[@reviewer_random]

ur voice sounds like full of desperation, sorrows, and regrets lmao

[@akasual7884]

I'll buy from retired hobbist cheap to free 😊

[@erandeser5830]

Get to the point ! How big a tank ??? BS

[@neilviljoen270]

Thank you for this. I’m setting up my first Discus tank and have been undecided between a sump and canisters. This helped me decide. How often to you do water changes? There seems to be 1000 different opinions out there 🫣

[@discus.switch]

I would get a sump if I was starting again. Amount of water changes depends how good your water change water is, how many fish, how much food etc. I do twice a week at 25% but i only have 10 discus in 540 litres.