unclenedsfishfactory.com

I picked up a 45 gallon tank that a neighbor no longer wanted. I am trying to decide what type of set up that I would like.

I am considering discus fish. I live in Medfield, and have hard alkaline water. I would rather not get into trying to change the water chemistry. I wanted to get your opinion on weather the discus could thrive in this type of water, or if I should consider a different type of tank. Also, are they a very sensitive fish. I am good about weekly water changes. Would that be enough.
Thanks

discus care

the discus we get are raised in pH 7.0 water
at the store we keep them at about 7.5 with out a problem
(some of them even lay eggs at the store)

yes...
Discus love large weekly water changes
(or more often if you have time)
they would also love the tall 45 gallon tank

it's not the perfect pet fish for everyone
(they should be fed 3 times a day, or more when possible...
thus the need for frequent large water changes)
if you need to travel often for long periods of time,
we sell many other fish that are more tolerant of being ignored

a 45 gallon should be enough room for about 5 medium size discus for about a year
(I suggest 4 minimum, they prefer to be in groups)

they like the water very warm
at the store we keep them about 85 F

you want to vary the diet often
...so we alternate with
a couple flavors of flake food,
a couple flavors of sinking pellets,
and 3 flavors of frozen food

they are messy eaters
so harmless scavengers are a good idea

you can keep them with other fish
but they should be the biggest fish in the tank
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we usually do NOT put them with:

Silver Dollar tetras, large rainbowfish, or giant danios
(those 3 above are kind of too crazy for them to deal with)

trindad or other large plecos
(big plecos sometimes _ their sides, if they are hungry)

aggressive barbs or cichlids
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we usually DO put them with

Rams or Apistogrammas
tetras big enough to remain uneaten by the discus
corydoras or Synodontis cats
platys or guppys
large freshwater shrimp
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