sudz
Aquarium Advice Addict
Hey all - Finally FINALLY got a big enough tank to think about discus.
I'm designing this thing from the beginning to be a low-tech planted discus tank.
Here's how it goes so far...
What I have Already:
Notes: the fluval 305 has been on my 44 gallon tank for 3+ years, I have an AC70 that is currently seeding running in parallel on my 44 so the tank does... tank when I take the fluval away.
Next Steps:
My concerns:
Aquascape:
The key is its all able to grow in low-medium light.
I'm afraid I'll be lacking some color (Green green green) but I'm thinking it'll make the red and orange and blue discus (looking at pidgeon blood and variants) stand out. Thoughts?
Bottom line - I'm looking at at least 6 months before discus are in the tank. I want everything established, Water aparameters steady, and my routine down perfect before I put the discus in there.
(routine I'm thinking of)
Alright - Stay tuned for updates and pictures as this thing comes together!
I'm designing this thing from the beginning to be a low-tech planted discus tank.
Here's how it goes so far...
What I have Already:
- 75 Gallon tank, Metal Stand.
- 48 inch T5 (Normal Output) 2X28 watt bulbs, 6700k I believe. Fan-less ballasts (silence is key!)
- 100 watt Heater, for up to 40 gallons. (Going to buy a second)
- Fluval 305, and a fluval powerhead (300 series?)
Notes: the fluval 305 has been on my 44 gallon tank for 3+ years, I have an AC70 that is currently seeding running in parallel on my 44 so the tank does... tank when I take the fluval away.
Next Steps:
- 5x 20lbs Bags of Eco-complete. (enough for 2.5 inches in a 75 Gallon?)
- Second 100 watt heater. Set to 79*f
- Add Fish, Plants.
- Fish to start will be small Cardinals.
- Plant-scape
- Grow out cardinals for 3-4 months.
- Will then add Second medium sized fish (Thinking Congo Tetras)
- Plantscape
- Grow out Congo's for 2 months, slowly bring temps up to 83*f
- Add 3 discus
- Wait 6 weeks
- Add 2 discus
- ... Enjoy!
My concerns:
- Is this the proper way to add discus? (3 then 2?) or just all at the same time?
- My PH from the tap is 7.6. This is high for discus - Really high?
- Reading from breeders in the GTA, quite a few have even bred discus at this PH. I want to avoid using any buffers, chemical methods of changing PH, etc.
- The MOST I will dose is excel flourish for plants.
Aquascape:
- Large Rock on left side of tank.
- Piece of driftwood (no thin branches) on rightside of tank.
- Long Grasses 2-3 inches from the back on the right.
- Some swords in the middle. (I have brown/green ones in my 44 that I'll transplant)
- Java Ferns 4 inches from the front on the left.
- Thinking Riccia on the front Centre, and maybe on the driftwood if it'll take.
The key is its all able to grow in low-medium light.
I'm afraid I'll be lacking some color (Green green green) but I'm thinking it'll make the red and orange and blue discus (looking at pidgeon blood and variants) stand out. Thoughts?
Bottom line - I'm looking at at least 6 months before discus are in the tank. I want everything established, Water aparameters steady, and my routine down perfect before I put the discus in there.
(routine I'm thinking of)
- 15-20% water change, twice weekly.
- Light, 6 hours daily, from 6PM to midnight. Indirect daylight during the day.
Alright - Stay tuned for updates and pictures as this thing comes together!