Would be nice to see discus on the channel Ben. I've never kept discus so cannot give advice on it. I'm still a big fan of the natural color form of discus but there are truly amazing color morphs out there to choose from. I've been scared of getting discus as they are so expensive and I would hate to lose any, oh and the high level of maintenance people say they require.
Great video Ben. I believe you should be able to grow out a group of 6 to 8 discus in there with no problems. Hope the green terro fills his stomach out. Thanks for sharing
Sounds like a plan! It’s a stable tank so that will help. Discus can be delicate and need a lower PH. That’s the main reason I don’t try and keep them. I live in Florida and the water is very hard. I have tried A few times over my 30 years keeping fish to run a stable 7ppm ph tank. The PH still fluctuates. So I stoped and let it go naturally. Most of the fish I buy are Florida born so they are used to the hard water. I don’t think discus would do well. I have considered using RO water. I do love the look, of the discus.
Very nice fish room. Congrats! Wild Discus are not delicate, it fact they are quite hardy. I keep mine at 25.9-26,2 C, allowing the Inkbird a 0.3 degrees C between start and stop. Hybrid Discus is a different story, due to all the line breeding and in breeding they have gone thru. Mine are all Wild Golden type from Santarem Discus, imported by La Paz Aquatics. You should start with a group of no less than 6 and it is best if the are at least 4” (10 cm). Good luck.
I think it’s a great idea to get the discus and put them in there. I thought discus prefer sand substrate but they might be ok. I got my discus about a month ago. They have really grown on me. Much more active now and more interactive with me too.
Your attention to detail and care for your fish room makes you the perfect candidate for Discus. That Lilly looks great! I got one from the Coop but it was starved out by my anubias.
Happy new year. You may as well try the discus. When you pick them, choose the most interactive ones in the tank. Don't pick any that are dark or black or hanging out at the back of the tank looking shy or with the fins down. For tye red terrors, have a look at the old videos from Andy Woods if they are still on you tube. He had lots of pairs of big ciclids using dividers. After a while, he would make a small hole that the female could fit through. She could escape back to her side if the male got too aggressive.
That tank is fine to grow out a group of discus. My recommendation is get them all at once, they are the one fish that really do much better when the grout is put through QT together and then added to the tank together. Anywhere from 6-8 discus will do. Just decide if you want a skittles tank with a few different patterns or just 1 or 2 type of patterns.
Definitely get discus. Try to find them as big as you can afford. I’ve found 3”-4” discus are the best to start with. They don’t need as much attention as the smaller ones.
Ben, I love the video and the fish room Tour. The Yellow Af Cichlid Fins look like it's being Bullied they were all frayed up. He could be being bullied at night and he is looking a bit shy. I would keep an Eye on him because those fins look pretty torn. Discus Require Warm water like 84 85 to 86 degrees the only fish that would be ok in that water for a long period of time would be the Rummy Nose and Cardinal Tetras. I know the 55 gal is really seasoned but I think Discus require really pristine water and Heat and minerals. I am not sure if it would work for you. I would recommend setting up a spare tank like that 60 gal you have and just making it a straight Discus grow out Tank. No Plants. Even some of the plants you have in the 55 gal the plants may not like the higher water temperature. This is just a food for thought. You have been keeping Fish longer than me. Appreciate the videos as always.
Discus? Go for it Ben. You know you want to. I know you want small Discus but bigger ones would be much easier to take care of. Not sure about that substrate. Too easy to trap detritus. Sand would be much easier. The cleaner the water the better.
Honestly, they are very easy to raise as long as you get a few of them at least 4+, I would recommend 6+. Now here is the tricky part, if you want to grow out smaller ones like you are wanting, you are going to have to do a lot of work to not get them stunted (water changes and 5x feedings). If you don't care about stunting, then you can feed less. Now, if you do care about stunting and don't want to feed so much but just 2-3 times a day, I would recommend to get at least 4 inches+, but prefer 5 to 6 inch because I don't like when they get stunted with the bigger eyes. Water changes are around 20% a week for 5 to 6 inches but you can do much less if you have a bigger aquarium. Another problem is having faster fish eat the discus's food (discus are slow at eating) and since I think I saw a rainbow on that 55, I'm sure you are going to get the discus stunted since they will get out competed. Again that's not a problem if you don't care about it.
Happy New Years Ben. Excellent idea with the discus as I’m also considering getting some. Would you get them from your local fish store or order them online?
Yes to discus in 2025! I got a group of four Red Scribble discus 2 and a half years ago, for a 90 gallon Amazon theme tank. I got them from Discus Hans, who Lisa from KG Tropicals got hers from, but he doesn't sell this type anymore. Will be interested to see where you get yours from.
I missed this somehow!!! 😮 In hidesight, we know the female Red Terror made a very poor life decision and is no longer with us. We also know the male Red Terror, handsome as he might be, is now destined to be re-homed. I'm assuming the plan for the new discus is still the same as future Ben Ochart mentioned, and they're eventually going into the newly vacated 55? Per your request to comment below, I would say this. If you can, because clearly the 55 can't be a forever home for a group of discus, maybe just let them grow out in the 90 once they've cleared quarantine. That way, you can avoid the stress of moving them later. That's assuming there's nothing in the 90 that will give them even more stress than a move later on will cause.
Get the Deep Water's cousins, Placidochromis sp. "Phenochilus Tanzania" Lupingu - Sapphire cichlids. I have a similar aquarium. Right now I have the new Glo-angels that hang out in the top layer. I have Amatitlania sp. Honduran Red Points. They have been very mellow so far. Think of a convict with a very blue tone and red finnage.
Start with healthy stock. Also, they need higher temps which I know you know. I'd also recommend getting them to accept several types of food. Picky eaters can be problematic if their "prefered" food is out of stock.
In the third tank, I was going to ask you what that green branching plan is, until I saw the gold severum, and then I realized that the plants are fake. Lol
Ben I love discus but I've never had good luck with them. They would do fine for awhile then one by one started dying off so I gave up on them. I recommend you chat with Jose over at Joy of Fish Keeping he raises discus and is very successful with them maybe he can give you some pointers
ben just buy good quality tank rasied discus should be some nice ones around your area do not do not feed them blood worms of any kind live frozen or freeze dried use black worms if needed
you've been talkin about the discus for a long time..... GO FOR IT 😃 no time like the present
Put some wood upwards so the discus have shelter beside or even better under some wood!
great idea ben looking forward in seeing your success
Would be nice to see discus on the channel Ben. I've never kept discus so cannot give advice on it. I'm still a big fan of the natural color form of discus but there are truly amazing color morphs out there to choose from. I've been scared of getting discus as they are so expensive and I would hate to lose any, oh and the high level of maintenance people say they require.
Great video Ben. I believe you should be able to grow out a group of 6 to 8 discus in there with no problems. Hope the green terro fills his stomach out. Thanks for sharing
Sounds like a plan! It’s a stable tank so that will help. Discus can be delicate and need a lower PH. That’s the main reason I don’t try and keep them. I live in Florida and the water is very hard. I have tried A few times over my 30 years keeping fish to run a stable 7ppm ph tank. The PH still fluctuates. So I stoped and let it go naturally. Most of the fish I buy are Florida born so they are used to the hard water. I don’t think discus would do well. I have considered using RO water. I do love the look, of the discus.
Very nice fish room. Congrats!
Wild Discus are not delicate, it fact they are quite hardy. I keep mine at 25.9-26,2 C, allowing the Inkbird a 0.3 degrees C between start and stop.
Hybrid Discus is a different story, due to all the line breeding and in breeding they have gone thru.
Mine are all Wild Golden type from Santarem Discus, imported by La Paz Aquatics.
You should start with a group of no less than 6 and it is best if the are at least 4” (10 cm).
Good luck.
I've got a Strigatus that took over and now is dominant over the eye biter they are both adult size in fact the eye biter is larger
I think it’s a great idea to get the discus and put them in there. I thought discus prefer sand substrate but they might be ok. I got my discus about a month ago. They have really grown on me. Much more active now and more interactive with me too.
Your attention to detail and care for your fish room makes you the perfect candidate for Discus. That Lilly looks great! I got one from the Coop but it was starved out by my anubias.
Happy new year. You may as well try the discus. When you pick them, choose the most interactive ones in the tank. Don't pick any that are dark or black or hanging out at the back of the tank looking shy or with the fins down.
For tye red terrors, have a look at the old videos from Andy Woods if they are still on you tube. He had lots of pairs of big ciclids using dividers. After a while, he would make a small hole that the female could fit through. She could escape back to her side if the male got too aggressive.
Love Andy Woods videos. That’s a brilliant idea😀👍🏻
That tank is fine to grow out a group of discus. My recommendation is get them all at once, they are the one fish that really do much better when the grout is put through QT together and then added to the tank together. Anywhere from 6-8 discus will do. Just decide if you want a skittles tank with a few different patterns or just 1 or 2 type of patterns.
Great advice. Thank you!
Discus discus !!! Go for it Ben, we’ll all pitch in on Saturday, happy new year my friend
Happy New Year Ben , sounds like some good plans for 2025 😀
what mitymac said.. Exactly what I was going to say. I have never kept discus, but always admired them. Go for it
Discus even though captive bred like a higher temperature. 84 degrees & very clean water.
1st comment 😊…Happy new year Ben
Definitely get discus. Try to find them as big as you can afford. I’ve found 3”-4” discus are the best to start with. They don’t need as much attention as the smaller ones.
I love my discus❤❤❤💙🐟💙🐟🐠💛🐠💛🐠💛🌹😁
Ben,
I love the video and the fish room Tour. The Yellow Af Cichlid Fins look like it's being Bullied they were all frayed up. He could be being bullied at night and he is looking a bit shy. I would keep an Eye on him because those fins look pretty torn. Discus Require Warm water like 84 85 to 86 degrees the only fish that would be ok in that water for a long period of time would be the Rummy Nose and Cardinal Tetras. I know the 55 gal is really seasoned but I think Discus require really pristine water and Heat and minerals. I am not sure if it would work for you. I would recommend setting up a spare tank like that 60 gal you have and just making it a straight Discus grow out Tank. No Plants. Even some of the plants you have in the 55 gal the plants may not like the higher water temperature. This is just a food for thought. You have been keeping Fish longer than me. Appreciate the videos as always.
Sure that would look great, love disus
The discus might change the dynamics of the tank, but they might also be the perfect addition
Discus? Go for it Ben. You know you want to.
I know you want small Discus but bigger ones would be much easier to take care of.
Not sure about that substrate. Too easy to trap detritus.
Sand would be much easier.
The cleaner the water the better.
Discus do it
Jack wattley discus
I think the time is right for you to get your group of discus!
I love the plans for 2025 if anybody could do a discus tank it is you once again Happy NewYear to you and your family
Yes I like to see you put some Dis in the tank
Honestly, they are very easy to raise as long as you get a few of them at least 4+, I would recommend 6+. Now here is the tricky part, if you want to grow out smaller ones like you are wanting, you are going to have to do a lot of work to not get them stunted (water changes and 5x feedings). If you don't care about stunting, then you can feed less. Now, if you do care about stunting and don't want to feed so much but just 2-3 times a day, I would recommend to get at least 4 inches+, but prefer 5 to 6 inch because I don't like when they get stunted with the bigger eyes. Water changes are around 20% a week for 5 to 6 inches but you can do much less if you have a bigger aquarium. Another problem is having faster fish eat the discus's food (discus are slow at eating) and since I think I saw a rainbow on that 55, I'm sure you are going to get the discus stunted since they will get out competed. Again that's not a problem if you don't care about it.
Happy New Years Ben. Excellent idea with the discus as I’m also considering getting some. Would you get them from your local fish store or order them online?
There's an on-line vendor I've been watching for years, and possibly Cunningham Tropicals.
Yes to discus in 2025! I got a group of four Red Scribble discus 2 and a half years ago, for a 90 gallon Amazon theme tank. I got them from Discus Hans, who Lisa from KG Tropicals got hers from, but he doesn't sell this type anymore. Will be interested to see where you get yours from.
I got a 150 gal discus tank- they are the best
I missed this somehow!!! 😮
In hidesight, we know the female Red Terror made a very poor life decision and is no longer with us. We also know the male Red Terror, handsome as he might be, is now destined to be re-homed. I'm assuming the plan for the new discus is still the same as future Ben Ochart mentioned, and they're eventually going into the newly vacated 55?
Per your request to comment below, I would say this. If you can, because clearly the 55 can't be a forever home for a group of discus, maybe just let them grow out in the 90 once they've cleared quarantine. That way, you can avoid the stress of moving them later. That's assuming there's nothing in the 90 that will give them even more stress than a move later on will cause.
Get the Deep Water's cousins, Placidochromis sp. "Phenochilus Tanzania" Lupingu - Sapphire cichlids.
I have a similar aquarium. Right now I have the new Glo-angels that hang out in the top layer. I have Amatitlania sp. Honduran Red Points. They have been very mellow so far. Think of a convict with a very blue tone and red finnage.
Start with healthy stock. Also, they need higher temps which I know you know. I'd also recommend getting them to accept several types of food. Picky eaters can be problematic if their "prefered" food is out of stock.
HAPPY NEW YEAR Ben !
i wish you peace and prosperity in 2025
I don't think you should use UV with plants, you may know something I don't know but I think I read about that once
In the third tank, I was going to ask you what that green branching plan is, until I saw the gold severum, and then I realized that the plants are fake.
Lol
Yes, the in there are plant destroyers, so I use fake ones.
A lot of Anubias Nana will do the job
What type of fish are those that you are planning to pair up? They look like oscars
Festae (commonly called Red Terror). The females become spectacular with red, black and yellow markings.
ITs a Male Red Terror and a Female Red Terror. He's in a 55 Gal by himself. HE said what he was in the video I believe
@@BenOchart thanks
Ben I love discus but I've never had good luck with them. They would do fine for awhile then one by one started dying off so I gave up on them. I recommend you chat with Jose over at Joy of Fish Keeping he raises discus and is very successful with them maybe he can give you some pointers
I’d be scared, it’s looking amazing but I wouldn’t want to add something that could kill everything. Very very small 🤙
ben wait for discus for 4 years ben do it
ben just buy good quality tank rasied discus should be some nice ones around your area do not do not feed them blood worms of any kind live frozen or freeze dried use black worms if needed