May Have to Babysit Discus For Month in an Uncycled Aquarium

[EddyBearr]

My situation is exactly as the title stats. I am currently setting up a 30 gallon long of my own, and my friend is planning on upgrading his aquarium. I may have to hold on to his discus pair (mating pair) for a month or so. The problem is that my aquarium isn't even set up yet, as I have to finish the stand and clean it again.

My intentions for my own tank are a lot of bogwood, play sand as substrate, and a lot of plants.

So, my question to you guys is the following: What kind of precautions should I take to make sure his discus don't die in my hands? I'm very concerned about either making the water too acidic with RO water, and with poisoning them from ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, or anything else.

I'd also like to capitalize on this to cycle my own tank while watching his.

Any advice?

To my understanding, my tap water has a PH of ~7.4, though I'm not sure of it's hardness. I live in Minneapolis, Minnesota, if that answers any questions.

Nothing would be worse than letting over $100 in my friend's fish die under my care.

Edit: I'd prefer to not use his aquarium water, his gravel, or his filter. He claims that something in his gravel has been killing off his plants, which I obviously wouldn't like.

[Loureed]

If you can find another friend to get seeded substrate and filter material, do it ;) any decos with good bacteria on it. Also see if they are up for a water change soon. Add that water to your tank. I know it sounds gross but it's precycled water. As for killing your friends fish, try your best but they really can't fault you as they didn't provide many precautionary setups for you or the fish. Also, some lfs' will "babysit" your tank. They could try that route too ;) but Good Luck! If you work hard at it I think you'll be able to work through it ;)

[PhishNFilly]

Well......keep the water nice and warm for them go for 82-85. Make sure you keep their water pristine, ditch the RO/PH worry it's not needed at all I M H O I don't want a screaming match lolol. If you are just babysitting NO SUBSTRATE at all!!!!! Bare Bottom and keep it clean and poo free. You do NOT need a substrate for them, it's easier without for this tank since you are babysitting them...besides if you go with Discus juvies when you delve into this hobby you will manage alot easier with BB tank until they are mature. Ask his feeding schedule and make sure you get the right foods they are use to. You are going to change the water practically every 2-3 days if these are mature Discus anyway. Best advise join up with simply discus. These fish are no different than any other fish except they need absolute pristine water or you are asking for troubles. Let us know how you are getting along with things. Julia

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/forum.php?

[CaCichilds]

Well......keep the water nice and warm for them go for 82-85. Make sure you keep their water pristine, ditch the RO/PH worry it's not needed at all I M H O I don't want a screaming match lolol. If you are just babysitting NO SUBSTRATE at all!!!!! Bare Bottom and keep it clean and poo free. You do NOT need a substrate for them, it's easier without for this tank since you are babysitting them...besides if you go with Discus juvies when you delve into this hobby you will manage alot easier with BB tank until they are mature. Ask his feeding schedule and make sure you get the right foods they are use to. You are going to change the water practically every 2-3 days if these are mature Discus anyway. Best advise join up with simply discus. These fish are no different than any other fish except they need absolute pristine water or you are asking for troubles. Let us know how you are getting along with things. Julia

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/forum.php?

She's pretty much spot on. From my understanding as well, young discus are more easily affected by aliments than mature ones. Feed what they feed or Hikari Discus is fine too. I use Sera Flowerhorn granules. It's a really good food for virtually any fish. It really brings out color and its small, so smaller mouthed fish can eat it without much effort. Literally every fish I own eats this stuff 2x a week. From my Birchir, Big Ole Oxydoras Niger Cat, Trimac, Convicts, Frontosa, Labs, Corys.

http://www.google.com/products/catal...ed=0CGAQ8gIwBQ this is there discus food. I have been really pleased with the flowerhorn variant.

[Rocksor]

Personally, I would just plan on doing 50%-75% water changes everyday in that 30g tank, it would almost guarantee that your friend's discus will survive the month they are with you.

[CaCichilds]

Personally, I would just plan on doing 50%-75% water changes everyday in that 30g tank, it would almost guarantee that your friend's discus will survive the month they are with you.

Not trying to stir up anything but that's literally like 5+ bottles of de-chlorinator. I think that is an extreme suggestion. Just do a 50% a Sunday and a second on Wed and you should be fine.

[ratherbfishnjp]

I dont have any experience but with discus and I thought I would just throw in an idea. Find a bottle of Fritz Zyme Turbostart and put half a four ounce bottle in before you put the discus in. It will give them that beneficial bacteria to survive and will cycle that tank with them in it in about 3 to 5 days. Im not sure if thats how discus are taken care of but when I do all my african tanks... I SWEAR on this stuff. But its like 25 bucks a four ounce bottle but that bottle will treat 160 gallons and you can always use more it wont hurt anything. The FritzZYme turbostart is like bio spyra and tetra safe start but this stuff is sooo much better! Just throwing an idea out.