[Build Log] Bouncing back from a total tank loss - Planted High Tech Discus Tank

[sudz]

Found my new centerpiece! It's java wood, but if need to mount it anyway. 40 bucks too. It was marketed for reptiles but a quick Google shows a good boiling makes it work. Java wood

Video!

 

[sudz]

Started boiling driftwood. It's giving off a fragrance like... sweet-old-Italian-grandmother-going-to-church-perfume, mixed with hints of manure. I am both amused and worried. I plan to boil until there is zero hints of these odors. Problem is there's about 4 inches I can't get to. So I'll boil top and bottom portions and then soak it ina bucket for a few days.. then probably boil again.

https://youtu.be/hfjCM0FqUIs

 

[sudz]

Started boiling driftwood. It's giving off a fragrance like... sweet-old-Italian-grandmother-going-to-church-perfume, mixed with hints of manure. I am both amused and worried. I plan to boil until there is zero hints of these odors. Problem is there's about 4 inches I can't get to. So I'll boil top and bottom portions and then soak it ina bucket for a few days.. then probably boil again.

https://youtu.be/hfjCM0FqUIs

After boiling for an hour it only has a farm barn-like smell. Weird. I'll let it soak for a few days and then boil again. Second batch of boiled water also turned a nice amber color.

 

[sudz]

So the wood is still off Gaddi g a weird smell. Another water change in the soak tank!

I found out it is indeed coffee wood. Contacted manufacturer:
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3410046

The pH in the tank is 7.4 with co2 going, and 7.85 without. KH and GH kit on order. Stopped dosing flourish so I can figure out co2 absorption. Getting closer to tolerable ph for captive bred discus. Fish store said his water was mid 7's.
--

 

[sudz]

No action tonight. My finger is still healing and I don't have any non-wet work to do. Coffee Wood for tank is still soaking but slowed down the leeching. I'll probably take it out tomorrow. I'll need to find some slate to drill and mount it to as well. Weekend project.

Fire extingquisher place called - My 2nd 5lb CO2 canister is ready for pickup. it had been so long it needed to be re-certified. (every 5 years)

20 bucks, and include a free Fill. (a fill is usually 10 bucks if memory serves me. (its been sitting empty for like 3 years)

Each fill lasts about 6 weeks or so.

 

[Delapool]

That's a good length of time. I think my smaller one lasts about the same time (find all the expense is in buying the bottles, refills are pretty cheap).

 

[sudz]

Tweaked the bubble counter. 2.6 bubbles per second. Gets the PH around 7.4. I'm assuming my water is crazy hard due to calcium buildup. Will find out when KH test comes!

 

[sudz]

New Additions!

To help with my snail issue, I bought 3 clown loaches. I would have liked 5... but once I started thinking about bio-load with trying to grow out discus I thought three would be more appropriate. Also... there was only 4 left, but the 4th was pinched/stunted/not healthy looking.

Bucket method done (well Lemonade pitcher) and they're in the tank. Hopefully feasting. I had them a goo dlong while ago (a decade ago) and loved their antics.

 

[marie74]

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one that had a poor neglected tank. Sometimes life throws stuff at you. I am also going to get back into the hobby.

Can I get a better look at your light fixture? Looks like you hooked 2 together?
I am hoping to start a 75 planted soon.

 

[sudz]

Can I get a better look at your light fixture? Looks like you hooked 2 together?
I am hoping to start a 75 planted soon.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B016UJ2CK0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have two separate cables going up.

My only regret is that the moonlights are controlled by a the main switch - So I can 't put them on a timer.

Overall its a nice clean white light, but very unfocused - No shimmering or spotlight effect at all.

 

[sudz]

Evening Update:

I got my KH/GH tester kit in the mail today.

Tank is currently sitting at 15 degrees KH (or 270ppm)

My tap water is just about 5 degress KH (which is fine for discus, maybe not breeding though)

This is after I've done a 50% and 30% water change. I shudder to think what level itw as.

There is still a lot of calcium deposits on the glass, Heater etc. So i'm HOPING that's why its still so high.

Folks... This is what happens when you don't do water changes for 3 years. Topping up just concentrates the minerals in the water.

Because I know the KH now, I was able to calculate my CO2 levels: PH of 7.5 with CO2 on, and a KH of 15 degrees = 14ish ppm CO2. So thats awesome. Zero perling however. I get the odd bubble pop up the surface but that's it.

I've noticed a marked improvement in my Anubias growth however. The crypts always grew like weeds and they're completely overgrown so its hard to tell if they're shooting up.

My long grass (forgot name) also appears to be growing again.

Can't wait for my finger to seal up and heal so I can start doing wet-work again. :-(

 

[sudz]

It's been a few days, but progress has been made.

I scraped more of the mineral deposits as well as gravel vacced about 15% more of the tank. Moved some drift wood (very slowly... To avoid stirring the primordial ooze that had settled under it) and vacuumed there too.



Added a piece of driftwood I've had laying around for years.



Weird thing was after the water change I got a TON of pearling. Never usually happens during my ripoffs, wondering if it's because the addition of co2 while doing the water change? Or lower KH of tap water allowing for more co2 to be absorbed? (Does it work that way?)

 

[Cindy 64]

I admire your courage to clean up such a difficult task. I am sure you will succeed with the drive you are showing. I don't know much about aquariums with or without plants , but I wanted to applaud your efforts & look forward to more progress. On a side note I hope your finger heals quickly!

 

[sudz]

Thanks for the kind words!

Some excitement today, ALL my clown loaches went missing over the past week. I couldn't figure out where they went, paticularly as I vacced most of the tank yesterday.

The adventure kind of deserved its own post:

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f12/clown-loaches-gave-me-a-scare-354960.html#post3412833

Anyway, After the 30-40% water change yesterday, PH is resting at 7.9. KH is at 12 degress hardness.

I just tested the GH. Its off the scale. somewhere around 40 degrees of hardness. I almost ran out of room in my vial for additional drops. My tap water is 9 degrees.

All I can think of is that my tank had more or less reached saturation of minerals (eegad!) and as I introduce "softer" water to it, these minerals are leaching back into the water, keeping it crazy high.

My only way to prove this hypothesis is to keep up very regular water changes. I think I'm being smart by only scraping away portions of buildup every water change. I don't want any crazy water parameter changes shocking the fish.

Finger is healing nicely. I think its "closed" now, however scabs don't like to get wet, I limit my "wet" time greatly. Today was an "emergency" due to the clown loaches. yesterday I used my left exclusively (I'm a righty) so scraping was tiring/awkward, and other than that, deep gravel vacced another 15% or so of the tank.

Next step is to go nuts on the BBA.

After that, I'll start thinning out the rediculous amounts of Crypts I have.

I don't know if I could bring myself to sell them, or even if anyone would WANT them, knowing I have the BBA in the tank (and MTS)

What would you guys do?

Oh: Pictures!

Layout of new driftwood/"modded" piece to avoid trapped loaches:

Full Tank shot:

Now, if anyone wants to see my finger 3 weeks and 1 day post operation, click here. Not going to embed the image for the squeamish. Its no longer barf worthy like it was when it was infected. *shudder*

 

[littlefish4]

Enjoying following this build! Looking forward to seeing the rewards of all the work going into this Tank!

 

[sudz]

I feel like its going to be forever from now.

It'll be worth it! I LOVED keeping discus before.

 

[sudz]

Small update: I'm working on my own programmable moonlight using addressable LED's and an Arduino.

I basically want it to look like moonlight shimmering through turquoise waters.

Its a pretty big undertaking so I've made a separate thread for it: follow here

 

[sudz]

Big Update: its "done"! (functional, but not properly mounted etc)

 

[Toad]

Looks really good!

Sent from my SM-G930T using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[sudz]

On a side note I hope your finger heals quickly!

I just found out this morning.

IT was/is cancer.

Not the good kind either. They're still trying to figure out exactly what kind, but its a curiosity to the doctors and its getting a LOT Of attention. I'd be the 31st person in canada to have Chordoma/ParaChordoma, and the first to have it NOT on the spine, but on an extremity. (its always on the spinal cord)

Hoping its gone already and in the past, but I'm scared beyond belief. I'm 32. I have a daughter, a wife.

the tumor was removed, which is why they sent it off, However this outcome changes things. CHordoma is usually in the bone. Which means there could still be some in my bone. Once they get confirmation of which type of cancer it is they'll probably send me to a specialist hospital for more poking and prodding and yeah. I have no idea what to do. Just sit and wait I guess.

Doesn't change the build. If anything It'll take my mind off everything, to relax and distract me. Its soothing.