Discus Tanks are the essential homes for your discus fish and you would like to make sure that it really is the ideal environment for them. Before you go to the store and buy your fish or buy them online, it’s time to take a look at what you need for excellent discus aquarium life for your discus fish.

Discus fish are extremely delicate fish and you need to make sure you have your discus tanks set up correctly. You may have heard people say that you simply shouldn’t try to buy and breed discus fish if you are a beginner due to the fact that they can quickly get sick and die. Most discus fish get sick simply because discus tanks are poorly set up from the start and you don’t give your fish a fighting chance.

When setting up your aquarium, you need to know exactly the best way to properly maintain and set up your tank. One of the biggest issues is temperature, pH levels, and removal of heavy metals and ammonia if present.

Disc Tanks: Size Does Matter

Discus Fish can grow to a huge size and they want adequate space in their discus tanks. They are social fish and do well when purchased in groups of at least 6. In order for them to swim freely and grow, they must be kept in a minimum 40 gallon tank.

Disc tanks: optimal water levels

Discus are some high maintenance fish. They should have clean water, which will require you to change 25% of the water in the discus tanks a minimum of twice a week. Uneaten food and debris can trigger bacteria in the water and you should be sure to dispose of it from the tank. You should purchase a heater and terminator for your tank and make sure the temperature stays between 82 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit at all times. Discus fish are quite sensitive and you need to ensure that the pH levels are kept between 5.5 and 7 for optimum levels. The optimal level for pH levels is six. If you follow this you will have the perfect living conditions inside your discus tanks.

Disc Tanks – What should I put in the tank?

As a discus owner, you may notice that they eat a lot and create a lot of waste. Uneaten food and debris can get trapped inside the tank when there are a lot of trimmings. This can cause dirty water. Dirty discus tanks will be the number one trigger for discus disease and illness.

If you are a beginner, I recommend that you just go with a bare bottom tank. I would incorporate some plants because they are shy fish and like to hide. Bare bottom discus tanks are also great once you are ready to start breeding. If your tank is empty at the bottom, cleaning it will be very easy for you. With most open bottom tanks, you can use an air stone and sponge filter to filter the tank.

If you decide to add decorations to your tank, a good way to keep the bottom clean is to buy a bottom feeder that will eat whatever food your discus buys. You will be able to put driftwood and rocks in the tank. It is also possible to put a thin layer of gravel on the bottom.

Yes, your discus fish are high maintenance, but if you get into a routine, it won’t be a hardship at all for you. If you don’t have the time and desire to keep discus, make a bare bottom tank because it will be easy for you to keep discus tanks.