Planted vs non planted tank

[Lotus]

I bought two wild discus yesterday and put them into my planted tank. My question is "Is it a good idea to have wilds in a planted tank?" I know most people keep them in bare bottom or biotope tanks without plants. Why is that besides that you should keep them in the same conditions as the Amazon river. I love the look of a planted tank and so I bought a 75 gallon tank with a CO2 injector a year and a half ago. I could put the wilds in a 22 gallon bowfront tank without plants. I'm new to the wild strain.

[Kevin22]

Hi, planted tank is not ideal because:
1. not natural 2. hard to keep the balance of what fish needs and plant needs.
fish needs 28 plus temp, oxygen, shades.
plants need lower temp, tons of light and CO2, even Nitrites
3. hard to clean

26 would be small for wilds.
for a pair, I'd use at least 38 gallon.
plus, 2 of them together, unless they pair off, one will stressed to death down the road

[YSS]

Many keep discus in planted tanks. I do as well. I also have wilds in my tank. Yes, it is more difficult to maintain a planted tank and the reasons are pretty well stated in the above post. But it's not that difficult to find the right balance. Do some more research before making the decision.

[Lotus]

Thanks for the advice everyone and I know it hard to maintain the perfect conditions for a planted tank. I thought the wilds would be stressed by the conditions of a planted tank. Oh I would love to see some photos of your planted tank with the wilds.

[piraya.ca]

Non plant tank is my answer.

22 gal is too small, please don't put your wild discus in there.

[Dan S]

Hello Lotus,

I used to keep my Wild Blues in a planted tank and as Kevin pointed out it is harder to do but providing you do the maintenance its very do-able.

However, the reason I dont do it now is because after experimenting with a Biotope tank the Wilds looked so much brighter in colour and vigour, generally healthier and much happier, so I have decided to keep the two seperate.

Imho Biotopes are the way forward.

Dan