| Discus aquariums must be set up properly in | | | | gravel or any plants. If this is your first adventure |
| advance of bringing your discus home. It is | | | | into discus aquariums, the initial tank should |
| foolhardy to think that you will be able to buy the | | | | essentially be built as a quarantine tank. In this |
| fish, and then setup the tank. In the long term, | | | | case, the tank should have nothing other than |
| this is a failing and fish killing scenario. This article | | | | water, filter, heater, and light. The reason for such |
| will explain what you can do today to prepare | | | | Spartan accommodations is that you need to be |
| your aquarium for discus. | | | | able to observe your discus closely at first. They |
| For filtration of discus aquariums, a cultured | | | | may want to hide, but it's better if you can see |
| sponge filter will work well. If don't want to wait | | | | them clearly. Remember, you can always add the |
| for the filter to culture naturally, consider using | | | | amenities later, after are sure your new fish are |
| one of the bacterial starter cultures. Either choice | | | | healthy. This quarantine period should last a |
| will work fine, the important thing is that there | | | | minimum of 30 days. If you are adding new fish |
| isn't a lot of water flow, as calm water mimics | | | | to an established discus aquarium, be sure to |
| the natural discus habitat. | | | | keep the new fish in a separate 10 gallon tank |
| Use a thin layer of fine gravel in the bottom of | | | | while you evaluate their health. |
| the tank. Bare bottom tanks also work fine, and | | | | Discus aquariums need some advanced |
| are usually better for breeding. | | | | preparation in order to be successful. Most |
| I like to use driftwood, floating plants and clay | | | | importantly, is ensure proper water quality and |
| flowerpots filled with gravel and other suitable | | | | habitat. You also need to learn how to properly |
| plants. Remember that the water temperature in | | | | acclimate new discus to your aquarium. I |
| discus aquariums is 80 degrees F or more, so be | | | | encourage you to learn more about the specifics |
| sure to choose compatible plants. A fluorescent | | | | of setting up discus aquariums. Topics such as |
| strip light with one warm and one cool white bulb | | | | food, water chemistry, and choice of tank mates |
| will provide enough light for the plants. | | | | are all critical to your success. Good Luck! |
| For a quarantine or hospital tank, I do not use | | | | |