Who Gives A Fish Forums

I've stripped my 5x2x2 feet aquarium, it's clean and dry now. Planning to keep discus in a barebottom setup. For cycling, which fish are best? I'm thinking plates, sword tails, tiger barbs, sharks, or plecos. Heard keeping one species is better, so which one and how many for this tank?

I'll have one canister filter running with a heater at 28c, and 2 sponge filters. Also, plan to add drift wood, no plants. Should I tie anubias to the wood before or after cycling?

Water changes - do I need to do them or just top off the water that evaporates? I'm thinking water changes will remove ammonia, so maybe no need for water changes?

Re: Best fish for cycling

How big are the discus you're planning to get? If they're small, might as well just cycle with them, you'll be doing daily water changes anyway.

Re: Best gosh for cycling
They'll be around 3 inches, 6-7 pieces. So daily water changes are enough for cycling, that's the plan now. Thanks for the tip.

Re: Best gosh for cycling

You don't need to use fish to cycle a tank. Instead, consider adding cheaper fish once you've confirmed the cycle is complete through water testing.

To cycle your tank, you can add ammonia directly to the water and let it go through the conversion process to nitrate. Alternatively, you can add food to the tank and let it rot, allowing the nitrification process to complete. The simplest method, however, is to fill the tank and add beneficial bacteria.

I had to take this approach with my own tank after the cycle was disrupted - I'm still not entirely sure what caused it, possibly rinsing all the filter media at once despite having substrate and wood in the tank to hold the anaerobic bacteria.

I've been running my tank since 2012 and typically do weekly water changes. Seachem's bottled bacteria was a lifesaver after I lost several fish, including cory cats, Cardinals, apistograms, and rams.

Re: Best gosh for cycling
You're getting 3" discus, they need pristine water to grow. The more water you change, the better it is for them. You'll be doing daily water changes till they reach 5" or 6" so plan on this for at least 4 months.

Re: Best gosh for cycling

I'm on the same page as you. For a newbie like me, Seachem Stability is a lifesaver, especially when paired with daily water changes. I'm all for minimizing stress, and this combo seems like a solid way to go.

I agree with you, Tom - Seachem Stability is a lifesaver. It's especially helpful for those of us without years of experience. I can attest to its effectiveness, having lost my cycle and dealt with a nitrate spike in my own tank. Adding Stability to every water change (I do 20 gallons a week in my 85-gallon system) has been a game-changer in keeping nitrates under control, especially since my tap water has a nitrate reading of 7.3 ppm from a certified lab.

Re: Best gosh for cycling

I get what you're saying, but we're talking about a brand new 150 gallon tank here. Fresh water, ready for discus. Seven 3" discus, changing 50% of the water daily - your ammonia levels shouldn't spike. As these fish grow, the waste will build up your cycle. You shouldn't have a nitrate problem unless you slack off on water changes for months.

If you're adding stuff to the water to make it ready for discus, that's a different story. I don't use those additives, rarely use Prime, only in the winter sometimes.

Starting with 3" discus, I'd recommend a 40 gallon tank to begin with. Grow them out in that tank, changing 50-80% of the water daily. Less water than the 150, but it works. The fish will grow big this way. And honestly, spend the extra cash and get 5" discus. Those are the breeders' best fish, usually around a year old. They're stronger, and they'll still grow bigger in your tank. I've done it both ways, trust me, 5" discus are the way to go.

Re: Best gosh for cycling
Seachem Stability basically gives you the anaerobic bacteria that convert the ammonia to nitrite, and then nitrite to nitrate, and even help consume the nitrate. Even with daily water changes, it's cheap insurance against losing fish.

Re: Best gosh for cycling











Seachem Stability is basically the anaerobic bacteria that convert the ammonia to nitrite, nitrite to nitrate, and help consume the nitrate. Even with daily water changes it is cheap insurance against losing fish


I think you're getting your bacteria mixed up. I've got aerobic bacteria that thrive on oxygen - they're the real MVPs.