Just got word my new 700L tank is arriving next week. Planning to kick-start it with Seachem Stability. Also, I'm thinking of grabbing 15 Stendker discus before they're no longer available.
Would adding 15 at once put too much strain on the tank's bio load?
How many discus at once is too much?
Re: How many discus at once is too much?
Re: How many discus at once is too much?
The size of the discus you're planning to get is crucial in determining the bio load. In general, it's essential to closely monitor the fish and water parameters. I've had positive experiences with Seachem Stability, but I've found that large water changes are often still necessary until the filter is able to keep up with the bio load.
The size of the discus you're planning to get is crucial in determining the bio load. In general, it's essential to closely monitor the fish and water parameters. I've had positive experiences with Seachem Stability, but I've found that large water changes are often still necessary until the filter is able to keep up with the bio load.
Re: How many discus at once is too much?
Re: How many discus at once is too much?
You'll likely be fine as long as you're diligent with daily or every-other-day water changes. The key is keeping up with those changes, and your filter will seed itself over time, probably within a few weeks.
You'll likely be fine as long as you're diligent with daily or every-other-day water changes. The key is keeping up with those changes, and your filter will seed itself over time, probably within a few weeks.
Re: How many discus at once is too much?
Re: How many discus at once is too much?
Consider using Dr. Tim's One and Only Bacteria, it's a more effective option in my opinion. Although it's a bit pricier, the results are worth it. I'd recommend adding it at least a week before introducing the discus to give the tank a head start on cycling.
Consider using Dr. Tim's One and Only Bacteria, it's a more effective option in my opinion. Although it's a bit pricier, the results are worth it. I'd recommend adding it at least a week before introducing the discus to give the tank a head start on cycling.
Re: How many discus at once is too much?
Re: How many discus at once is too much?
Originally posted by FishNe
What size are the Discus you're getting. In any case, do keep an eye on the fish and the water parameters. I've used Stability with great success but usually still have to do large water changes until the filter catches up with the bio load.
Mine will be 6-8cm. I'll definitely keep an eye on the water parameters.
Originally posted by wilde
I suggest you go with something like https://store.drtimsaquatics.com/one...-bacteria.html instead. It's a little more expensive but works much better. I would add this at least a week prior to adding the discus to jump start cycling.
Good luck, wilde
Thanks for the suggestion, wilde. I'll definitely check it out and consider it as an option.
Originally posted by FishNe
What size are the Discus you're getting. In any case, do keep an eye on the fish and the water parameters. I've used Stability with great success but usually still have to do large water changes until the filter catches up with the bio load.
Mine will be 6-8cm. I'll definitely keep an eye on the water parameters.
Originally posted by wilde
I suggest you go with something like https://store.drtimsaquatics.com/one...-bacteria.html instead. It's a little more expensive but works much better. I would add this at least a week prior to adding the discus to jump start cycling.
Good luck, wilde
Thanks for the suggestion, wilde. I'll definitely check it out and consider it as an option.
Re: How many discus at once is too much?
Re: How many discus at once is too much?
I recall when I set up my 75-gallon tank, I cycled it with pure ammonia and starter bacteria - Fritz Zyme 7. Once my 10 Stendkers went in, I followed Liz's advice, using Prime and Stability with large daily water changes. Initially, I did 60% changes daily, but after refining my water change setup, I switched to 90% changes nightly.
I had purchased two bottles of Fritz Zyme 7, and towards the end of the cycle, I decided to use the remaining bottle. Big mistake. I added it after a water change and created an emergency. I'm still unsure what happened, but I had to move my fish to a 10-gallon tank for a couple of days, resulting in one casualty. I ended up cleaning and sanitizing the entire tank, boiling the filter media, and restarting the cycle. I continued with large daily changes, using Prime and Stability, and never missed a water change for about four months.
My main point is that frequent water changes are crucial. Make it a habit, and it becomes second nature. I've been doing it for so long now that it's almost automatic. My discus are now 5-5.5 inches, and I've skipped a few weekend water changes while traveling. However, I wouldn't recommend doing that during the initial fish-in cycle.
I think wilde's suggestion, combined with Liz's advice, is a good approach. I'm sharing my Fritz Zyme 7 experience as a cautionary tale. While I did use it before introducing my discus, I'm hesitant to add it to an established tank with fish. I've also had success with Tetra Start from Walmart, which seems to help jump-start the ammonia-breaking bacteria, but the nitrite-to-nitrate bacteria take longer to develop.
I recall when I set up my 75-gallon tank, I cycled it with pure ammonia and starter bacteria - Fritz Zyme 7. Once my 10 Stendkers went in, I followed Liz's advice, using Prime and Stability with large daily water changes. Initially, I did 60% changes daily, but after refining my water change setup, I switched to 90% changes nightly.
I had purchased two bottles of Fritz Zyme 7, and towards the end of the cycle, I decided to use the remaining bottle. Big mistake. I added it after a water change and created an emergency. I'm still unsure what happened, but I had to move my fish to a 10-gallon tank for a couple of days, resulting in one casualty. I ended up cleaning and sanitizing the entire tank, boiling the filter media, and restarting the cycle. I continued with large daily changes, using Prime and Stability, and never missed a water change for about four months.
My main point is that frequent water changes are crucial. Make it a habit, and it becomes second nature. I've been doing it for so long now that it's almost automatic. My discus are now 5-5.5 inches, and I've skipped a few weekend water changes while traveling. However, I wouldn't recommend doing that during the initial fish-in cycle.
I think wilde's suggestion, combined with Liz's advice, is a good approach. I'm sharing my Fritz Zyme 7 experience as a cautionary tale. While I did use it before introducing my discus, I'm hesitant to add it to an established tank with fish. I've also had success with Tetra Start from Walmart, which seems to help jump-start the ammonia-breaking bacteria, but the nitrite-to-nitrate bacteria take longer to develop.
Re: How many discus at once is too much?
Re: How many discus at once is too much?
Originally posted by bowsar
*snip*
That's a pretty intense experience - I can imagine how stressful it must've been. Thankfully, my tank is significantly larger, which I'm hoping will give me some wiggle room to avoid any drastic spikes. I'm planning on doing daily water changes, but I just didn't want to take any unnecessary risks by adding too many discus at once and potentially causing harm to them.
Originally posted by bowsar
*snip*
That's a pretty intense experience - I can imagine how stressful it must've been. Thankfully, my tank is significantly larger, which I'm hoping will give me some wiggle room to avoid any drastic spikes. I'm planning on doing daily water changes, but I just didn't want to take any unnecessary risks by adding too many discus at once and potentially causing harm to them.
Re: How many discus at once is too much?
Re: How many discus at once is too much?
I'd strongly advise setting up a smaller tank as a temporary home for your discus. This way, you can do daily water changes without worrying about the bio load on the new tank. Let the 700L tank cycle for about 6 weeks, and to speed up the process, transfer some wood, rock, and a sponge filter from the smaller tank into the new one.
I'd strongly advise setting up a smaller tank as a temporary home for your discus. This way, you can do daily water changes without worrying about the bio load on the new tank. Let the 700L tank cycle for about 6 weeks, and to speed up the process, transfer some wood, rock, and a sponge filter from the smaller tank into the new one.
Re: How many discus at once is too much?
Re: How many discus at once is too much?
I'm inclined to agree with a similar approach, although not exactly for the same reasons. For grow-out purposes, a smaller tank could be beneficial. If you were to put the discus in a 50g tank, perform daily 70% water changes, and feed them frequently, they should grow rapidly. Within a couple of months, some of the discus may reach the 4.5" size. At this point, you could move them to the larger tank. With some of the discus relocated, the remaining ones should grow faster, and the cycle in the larger tank should start progressing. As the remaining discus reach the 4.5" size, you can move them over, allowing the larger tank to cycle smoothly and giving the remaining discus a better chance to grow.
I'm inclined to agree with a similar approach, although not exactly for the same reasons. For grow-out purposes, a smaller tank could be beneficial. If you were to put the discus in a 50g tank, perform daily 70% water changes, and feed them frequently, they should grow rapidly. Within a couple of months, some of the discus may reach the 4.5" size. At this point, you could move them to the larger tank. With some of the discus relocated, the remaining ones should grow faster, and the cycle in the larger tank should start progressing. As the remaining discus reach the 4.5" size, you can move them over, allowing the larger tank to cycle smoothly and giving the remaining discus a better chance to grow.
Re: How many discus at once is too much?
Re: How many discus at once is too much?
Thanks for all the advice, really appreciate it. I'm picking up the discus in a couple of weeks, so I'm focusing on getting the tank settled as much as possible before they arrive. I went with Seachem Stability as it was the most readily available option here in the UK.
Thanks for all the advice, really appreciate it. I'm picking up the discus in a couple of weeks, so I'm focusing on getting the tank settled as much as possible before they arrive. I went with Seachem Stability as it was the most readily available option here in the UK.