DavidS

I'm setting up a 90 Gallon Discus tank. I already have a pressurized CO2 system and am purchasing a 4 bulb T-5 fixture for the tank.

What plants do well in the higher temps required for Discus? What should I avoid?

Since I would like to get a bunch of plants started at once (to avoid possible algae problems and such), where would you recommend I look to purchase them?

The local pet stores have decent plant stock, but at their prices it would cost me $500+ for the plants to stock that 90.

TIA.

davemill

Discus don't really require high temperatures. I keep mine at 76-78 with everything else. This makes it easy to keep them with plants. The high temps are for growing them fast. This was on the advice of Chuck Rambo, one of our local cichlid deities.

bsmith

Here is a journal of my discus tank on another site. It will give you a good Idea of what you can keep. I have my tank at about 81 degrees.

jestep

My tank is at about 86 and I am having problems with some swords, which may be temperature related. However most swords are generally well accepted, as well as other high-temp plants.

I really like Red and Green tiger lotus's, they're good up to about 90. They shoot up lily pads (which can be easily pruned) and have great, leafy growth below the water. Here's a few pictures of my Green one blooming a few months ago:




I also really like Anubias (Petite nana is my personal favorite), and they wrap around features keeping low to the ground. Beautiful bright green leaves. Very attractive plants.

marrow

Keeping discus in reasonable shape is possible in a soft water planted tank. Breeding and raising fry or growing truly exquisite competitive specimens to adulthood in one is unlikely.

bsmith

Very true. I had a pair mate a few times but ultimately just didnt have the extra space and resources to make the step from there to raising the fish.

Discus arent as hard as people who dont keep them say they are. If I could give you one piece of advice I would say get fish that were raised in your local water parameters. Then there is no need to worry with RO/DI water and all that fuss.