Does anyone have an aquarium?

[shedevil]

My question is more about the fish that I added.

I have a 55Gal tank in my in call. I just got 3 Discus.

Now they are babies, so the colour isn't as bright as the pic.

What I wanted to know, was if any of you have any? Have had? I do know they are territorial and very touchy.

My problem is that when I turn off the light for the tank, they get pale and lifeless.

A happy Discus is supposed to have bright colour. Mine don't bounce back and change until they are fed and the light is on. I am leaving it on during the night, and off during the day in a non-direct light.

I am worried I am causing some stress that is unnecessary. Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,
SD

 

[necko]

I love fish especially with chips alittle salt and a touch of vinigar, seriously I wish I had an aquarium

 

[LonelyGhost]

My question is more about the fish that I added.

I have a 55Gal tank in my in call. I just got 3 Discus.




Now they are babies, so the colour isn't as bright as the pic.

What I wanted to know, was if any of you have any? Have had? I do know they are territorial and very touchy.

My problem is that when I turn off the light for the tank, they get pale and lifeless.

A happy Discus is supposed to have bright colour. Mine don't bounce back and change until they are fed and the light is on. I am leaving it on during the night, and off during the day in a non-direct light.

I am worried I am causing some stress that is unnecessary. Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,
SD

couple things ... if you just put them in the tank, give them some time
to adapt before worrying about their 'colour' ...

second, different lights accent different colours in fish ... try using
a 'natural light' bulb instead of fluorescent ...

third ... different fish foods can enhance colour because they are very
rich in certain nutrients (can't remember because its been a while) but
ask at a reputable store and feed them some of it for a short term and their
colour will brighten ... then go back to normal food and supplement once or
twice a week.

and fishies need a time out from light or they get stressed too.

 

[shedevil]

I love fish especially with chips alittle salt and a touch of vinigar, seriously I wish I had an aquarium

Better than TV it is, very captiavting and relaxing. I need that!

I have a 55 gal freshwater community tank myself, but have stayed away from the South American fish as they are tempramental. The fish, like any animal have a cycle. You are best to set a timer for them The light on at night and off during the day might be contributing to the problem. Fish so need some dark, just like at night in the wild.

I have my timer set from 8 am to 12 midnight with the light on and have never had any problems with either the fish or the plants. The plants need the light as much or more than the fish do.

This is my third tank, actually. I just got a big one and wanted something more exotic without resorting to saltwater. I so don't have the time for that at all. I have a lot of pets. A very busy life on top of that.

The Discus are great though. My sister and her BF have 3 big ones in their 77Gal. The problem is my sis knows nothing, and he works 12hrs/6days per week. No good advice from them. A timer is on the list, but I want a bottom feeder first.

I wasn't sure if they were under lights constantly at the store that I got them from, but I assumed they were sleeping. I have been keeping odd hours lately, so I have been missing counting my hours accordingly.

couple things ... if you just put them in the tank, give them some time
to adapt before worrying about their 'colour' ...

second, different lights accent different colours in fish ... try using
a 'natural light' bulb instead of fluorescent ...

third ... different fish foods can enhance colour because they are very
rich in certain nutrients (can't remember because its been a while) but
ask at a reputable store and feed them some of it for a short term and their
colour will brighten ... then go back to normal food and supplement once or
twice a week.

and fishies need a time out from light or they get stressed too.

I have had them for about a week. I have been waiting to cycle my tank properly to ensure that none would die. I was in Van for a bit, so I had to wait until I got back and my schedule was more set.

I will have to stop into the local breeder and get the proper bulb when I get my ''sucky-fish''. That is great advice. Thanks!

The store I got them from are a reputable, family owned business.http://jwbirdshop.com/ They actually wouldn't let me leave until they were sure that I knew what I was doing. Most are concerned with the sale only. I also had to wait for the babies to come in so they wouldn't kill each other, or have the small one stress out and die.

I do give them colour enhancing flake food as well as blood worms.

What I notice with my sister's Discus, is that they get brighter when they are eating.

I will post some good pics when they get bigger.

Thanks so much. I was worried there for a bit. I want to be able to go back to the store and have good news.

I appreciate that ,

SD

 

[smackyo]

if you want you can pm me directly. i used to work in the bussiness for about five years and have since studied a lot of a lot of marine and aquabiology.

some people above have made some great suggestions, with the proper light and timer and so on. the one thing i would add with the information that you have given is would be to get a "moonlight" its a light that will simulate moonlight for when your "day" lights go off.

food, diet, proper surroundings, the right tank mates and enough time to cycle all come into play, especially with discus. but like i said, if you wish you can pm me. i've got a lot of experience with most any tank and many different types of fish.

 

[Avery]

...but I want a bottom feeder first...

There's a few of them on PERB, judging from their posts.

 

[shedevil]

if you want you can pm me directly. i used to work in the bussiness for about five years and have since studied a lot of a lot of marine and aquabiology.

That's great, I have. Thanks!

There's a few of them on PERB, judging from their posts.

I know, tiring isn't it?

All kidding aside, I get really good advice from here. That and I meet a lot of good people here. All psycho's aside...

SD

 

[LonelyGhost]

I will have to stop into the local breeder and get the proper bulb when I get my ''sucky-fish''. That is great advice. Thanks!

The store I got them from are a reputable, family owned business.http://jwbirdshop.com/ They actually wouldn't let me leave until they were sure that I knew what I was doing. Most are concerned with the sale only. I also had to wait for the babies to come in so they wouldn't kill each other, or have the small one stress out and die.

I do give them colour enhancing flake food as well as blood worms.

What I notice with my sister's Discus, is that they get brighter when they are eating.


SD

looks like you are on the right track ...

the 'natural' light is great for helping the plants grow (and algae so watch
how much you feed the fishies!) and making the fish look better.

before you go back to the store, boil a small jar to sterilize it and then
take a water sample to the store for testing ... some fish need different
ph levels (or additives like peat) to really show off their colours.

or ask your sister what she's doing ... if the fish turn bright red when
she feeds them maybe she is doing it topless???

(couldn't resist)

 

[shedevil]

looks like you are on the right track ...

the 'natural' light is great for helping the plants grow (and algae so watch
how much you feed the fishies!) and making the fish look better.

before you go back to the store, boil a small jar to sterilize it and then
take a water sample to the store for testing ... some fish need different
ph levels (or additives like peat) to really show off their colours.

or ask your sister what she's doing ... if the fish turn bright red when
she feeds them maybe she is doing it topless???

(couldn't resist)

Yeah, my worry is that they algae will take over the tank. That happens with my sister's tank. It gets green in less than a month.

A lot of it has to do with them leaving the light on for too long. It makes her BF sour. She can feed them, that's about it. lol

I will do the water sample. That's a great idea.

Ha ha, I have 2 sisters actually. Children of the Corn we are...

SD

 

[LonelyGhost]

Yeah, my worry is that they algae will take over the tank. That happens with my sister's tank. It gets green in less than a month.


SD

if you grow plants in the tank the algae should not get too bad
as the plants and algae (another plant) compete for resources ...

typically algae 'blooms' from too much food ... the fish poop
all the time and that's the fertilizer that it needs to grow.

most of the time people have too many fish, not enough plants
(or the ridiculous plastic ones), not enough filtration, and don't
change the water often enough.

aquariums can be a lot of work, but one hour per week doing
a water change and vacuuming the gravel, scraping some algae
and checking the filter is not much but it has to be done.

 

[LonelyGhost]

Is that your aquarium SD? I love it, very very nice!

Problem is....now I want one.

Petsmart had 20 gal aquarium 'starters' on sale for under $100 ...

tank, filter, lights etc ... just add water!

and start with the 'tetras' ... lots of variety and inexpensive
and fairly immune to the time it takes for a tank to 'set' ...

 

[shedevil]

if you grow plants in the tank the algae should not get too bad
as the plants and algae (another plant) compete for resources ...

typically algae 'blooms' from too much food ... the fish poop
all the time and that's the fertilizer that it needs to grow.

most of the time people have too many fish, not enough plants
(or the ridiculous plastic ones), not enough filtration, and don't
change the water often enough.

aquariums can be a lot of work, but one hour per week doing
a water change and vacuuming the gravel, scraping some algae
and checking the filter is not much but it has to be done.

Okay, that's what I needed to know.
I have plastic plants for now, and I have ''crowded'' my tank with scenery. Just for now because the lil'est guy needs a hiding place. He's getting picked on.

I do my water changes weekly. Discus like that. I do have a gravel swisher and a magna sweep. ( The best thing EVER!)

I will look into a newer filter soon.

They are a lot of work. I have 3! The others are smaller. A 10 Gal and single Gallon. I have other pets as well. I like the responsibility, and it keeps me out of trouble.

I thought the large tank would look very nice in my in call. Very soothing. Turns out it does, and it has the effect I wanted. Relaxing. I have already lost hours in front of that tank.

Have to go and see them now, actually.

Thank you very much!

Is that your aquarium SD? I love it, very very nice!

Problem is....now I want one.

No, but I will post some good pics when they get big. Maybe some of my sister's too. Mine are babies still. They get pretty big depending on the size of the tank. My sisters are about 6 inches tall and 4 inches long. They are slender fish. Like angel fish.
I recommend it, Szabina. They are great pets.

SD

 

[Creole Lady Marmalade]

I can't help but think of A Fish Called Wanda.

Kevin Klein smacking the net on the water "Wake up limey fish!"

 

[gravitas]

I can't help but think of A Fish Called Wanda.

Kevin Klein smacking the net on the water "Wake up limey fish!"

hehehe

"Avoid the green ones. They're not ripe yet."

 

[LonelyGhost]

They are a lot of work. I have 3! The others are smaller. A 10 Gal and single Gallon. I have other pets as well. I like the responsibility, and it keeps me out of trouble.

I thought the large tank would look very nice in my in call. Very soothing. Turns out it does, and it has the effect I wanted. Relaxing. I have already lost hours in front of that tank.

Thank you very much!

SD

rule of thumb: the smaller the tank, the more work involved. Simple reason
that less water means less 'dilution' of the toxins that build up ...

you seem to be doing really well ... once your big tank has settled,
start introducing 'live' plants ... they will make the tank a whole new
experience ... a bigger, better filtration system is a must (I liked the Fluval
canisters, but there may be better stuff out now).

 

[Chantal]

I have Had!

The enjoyment of a aquarium,and I've been watching this thread because I have an empty one right now at home.It's not 50 gallons but the next one down I'm assuming.I love watching them when I sit in the dark with the wall paper in the back and decorating them.I would rather something a little more simpler than salt water fish.... I just remember my gold fish named "GOLDIE" we lived in Vancouver at the time,and I really thought of bringing him back but I left him with a friend.I remember something about PH balance with the water.I lost many fish because I was experimenting with the PH balance of the water...I just need more education on them,but I do remember having a "ALGAE" fish that stuck to my tank It was very serene...

 

[aznboi9]

I used to have a 33 gallon, still do actually, but I used an under gravel filter and it seemed ok. I liked it because I didn't have to keep on replacing the cotton in those regular ones. Does anybody know if those are good or bad at all?

 

[shedevil]

I can't help but think of A Fish Called Wanda.

Kevin Klein smacking the net on the water "Wake up limey fish!"

I never did see that movie, perhaps we'll see it together next time I'm in Van.

Here's one for ya " ---And you know what that means... Savage Henry has cashed his cheque" -- LMAO

The algae is easily handled with a pleco. I have 2 in my tank and never see a speck of algae.

Yeah, I will be looking into that sometime tomorrow. I ran out of time today.

rule of thumb: the smaller the tank, the more work involved. Simple reason
that less water means less 'dilution' of the toxins that build up ...

you seem to be doing really well ... once your big tank has settled,
start introducing 'live' plants ... they will make the tank a whole new
experience ... a bigger, better filtration system is a must (I liked the Fluval
canisters, but there may be better stuff out now).

They are doing very well. I will be posting some pics very soon.
I am running to the Bird Shop tomorrow for some real plants. Fluval canisters are still the best, you're right. I didn't want to make too many drastic changes all at once.

SD

 

[shedevil]

A few pics

I am not the best photographer, I am usually on the other end of the camera.

These are my sister's Discus.

Here are MY babies...

SD

 

[dipitydoo]

great pics!

Discus do prefer a slightly acidic water so putting some peat moss in your filter might be a good thing.
Make sure you give them enough plants to hide, and it is better if the surroundings are a bit darker.
speaking of PH, don't worry about it too much, if you start tinkering with it it with drops or other means, it just puts more stress on the fish with all the water changing PH constantly.

Also, great advice about the light, they need darkness like any other animal although you might want to use that moonlinght as recommended.
Just give them some time, discus do not display their full colours until they are sub-adults so don't sweat it too much, you're doing well.