Chapter 1 - Discus Keeping theory
Chapter 3 - Tank size and Filtration
Chapter 1 - Discus keeping theory
We all know aquariums in general require at least a few hours of attention per week if we are to keep the inhabitants happy and healthy. We also all know how quickly environmental conditions can wreak havoc on our piscatorial friends and rapidly deplete them of life. Discus are no exception. In fact they are the crux of this line of thinking, requiring very high quality water conditions which is above all stable in PH, hardness, temperature and above all very clean (devoid of waste material, harmful chemicals and unwanted "guests"). Jim E. Quarles says "Keep your water clean. If are satisfied that it is clean enough to drink, clean it some more and do another water change". This directly means that you have to really get serious about filtration and water monitoring and water changes. If your current tropical fish maintenance routine involves the changing of 25% to 30% water every week, then be warned that you may need more than twice or 3 times the effort that you currently put into your tropical fish. 35% to 50% water changes on a daily basis are not uncommon with fry rearing tanks and/or quarantine or grow out tanks.
Often people ask if it is absolutely necessary to do water changes every day, and whether it is absolutely necessary to keep a bare bottom tank. The answer is yes and no. No it is not absolutely necessary to change water every day but it is highly recommended and your fish will do better with regular water changes. Consider daily water changes and bare bottom tanks as “best practice”. How much you stray from these suggestions is up to you. But don’t be frightened off from these suggested best practices either. With a good amount of research and some experience in keeping aquarium fish under your belt, you will be more than successful in the hobby, especially if you stick the continual learning path and actively learn as much as you can about the hobby.
Hobbyist Theory
Jim Quarles classifies hobbyists into two categories. The type 1 category is someone who has kept tropical fish for some time, successfully or not. Walking into a LFS (local fish shop) one day they marvel at these beautiful and perhaps expensive fish called discus and buy on impulse, or do very little adjustments to their existing community tanks to accommodate for the suggested parameters for these discus fish before buying a few. The fish are bought home and they become dark, shy and develop many acute problems, perhaps even die a few weeks later. The fish are then labeled as “too hard” or “not hearty” and sadly avoided for the rest of their hobbyist lives, spreading the word that discus are too difficult and not worth the money. This of course is an extreme example of type 1 hobbyists. Basically if you’re the impatient type who loses interest in things easily then I would suggest you think twice about discus who will require your attention and care for several years to come.
The type 2 hobbyist is the type we should all strive to become. The one that goes out and does all the research that he/she possibly can, reading everything and asking everyone about as much as they can before buying their first fish. They will strive to find out what the discus need, how to raise them properly, where to buy them, what to feed them and have a set plan down in writing long before they bring home their first specimen, avoiding the impulse buy. Of course again this is an extreme example of a type 2, but if we can following if only a small amount in the footsteps of type 2 then I assure you that you will save yourself a lot of time, heartache and money.
In general, discus are not just a "pet"; (noun) 1) An animal kept for amusement or companionship, 2) An object of the affections. (http://www.dictionary.com/search?q=pet) but a real "hobby"; An activity or interest pursued outside one's regular occupation and engaged in primarily for pleasure (http://www.dictionary.com/search?q=hobby). This means being prepared to spend time, having the time to spend, and above all PATIENCE!
"Discus have been known to come between man and wife. I hear you say, "I can handle it". We shall see" - Jim E. Quarles