Prepping for the Discus!

[mojosodope]

Well sounds you're well off, here are the links to were I got the food at the most reasonable prices:

And 50% every three days is perfect, 6 is a great group also.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ls_o05_s02_i01

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ls_o05_s01_i00

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=24001

http://www.aquaticfoods.com/FreezeDriedBlackwormsM.html

All the fish in my tank, (Discus, Rainbows, Bolivian Rams) eat all the food readily, my Discus have learnt to eat from my hand when it comes to freeze dried black worms, they along with the rest of the fish go crazy for those. Looking forward to your tank.

[MandyK]

Thank you very much for those links! :)

[Cermet]

Finally, I can get back online with this forum! Can't figure out why this only happens to the home computer - at least I was able to use the JHU library computer (was there killing time waiting for my daughter to finish her Cal III class there. She is too young to drive ... .)

I get the food at PetMountain (http://www.petmountain.com); I get the Hikari food. They are a big time company that makes many types of food and know what they are doing. This site offers the lowest price I've found of late. Possible with work could find some cheaper site.

If you are doing every other day water changes seriously consider a cheap, easy to assembly and small in tank algae scrubber. This has worked well for me - remove nitrates and helps a lot with phosphates. Even helps with the fish slime (that was a big surprise but in good old hind-sight, makes complete sense.) This device saves me a ton of water (and that is NOT figurative!!)

[~firefly~]

I don't know very much about discus so am interested to read (and follow) this thread. I look forward to the first set of photos!

[Cermet]

Forgot to add - a HUGE advantage to algae filters are that when the algae starts to grow (1-2 weeks first time, after that, every week MUST clean out all the algae since that stuff grows like no tomorrow after it establishes) is that they will remove any extra ammonia/nitrites very well but will NOT prevent a regular filter from cycling. A scrubber can't compete with the regular bacteria growth, so it will not prevent a filter from cycling BUT will help prevent a bad spike; that does not mean those semi-daily water changes can be droped when cycling a filter with fish - a small in tank algae scrubber can only do so much ... .

[MandyK]

I've heard of an algae scrubber, but I don't know anything about it. I'll have to do some research on to see if I can fix something up.

Firefly- Thanks! When I get the Discus I'll be posting all my pics and stuff in my journal. Of course maybe this is an appropriate time to begin a new one since the old one was for a 55g. Hmmm..

NOTE******

We're not picking up the tank this weekend. The roads are just covered in snow, and it wouldn't be safe to make the 2 hour trip. :( Maybe next weekend.

[Cermet]

Since I am unable to figure out how to do a PM, I'll just post it for now. Std. Disclaimer - This link is not an endorsement nor do I have any association with any company that I provide links. I only provide links to companies I have bought and tested a product and think it might be useful. This in no manner means that the product at the link is right for your needs - end of disclaimer.

If you want a simple design, and if you wish, they sell parts, and units to assemble as well as fully assembled in tank algae scrubbers; see this link: www.Santa-Monica.cc

Bigger units must be built yourself but this design (free) can be used to base your own bigger units on.

[~firefly~]

PM = Click on the person's name and you'll get a menu with a Private Message option.