5ft Planted Discus Tank Journal

[axl]

Hi,
this is my new project its going to be a 520ltr planted discus tank with pres co2 with ph controller.
Specs: 520ltr
Lights: 2 fluros with only 1.2wpg of light
Flitration: 2 x 1200ltr cannister filter
Milkwaukmee regualtor, solenoid, ph controller,
Plants: Anubius, java fern, crypts, val, swords etc.
2 x pieces of driftwood
This tank is currently going through a fishless cycle into its 4th day. Its going to be home to discus and tetras. Thinking of having blue diamonds, turqs, and pidgeon bloods. Im gonig to fill the tank with plants and then add the fish last. I will post pics as i go on. The plants in the pics i just added for the bacteria to live on. Whats ya thoughts

[fish_r]

sounds like ur going about every thing right :)
good that uv'e got the patients to hang out till its all planted b4 putting any fish in....

[duck]

Looking good,IMO add more plants now.

[axl]

thats it duck now all i have to do is fill the tank in. Im still waiting for my regulator, solenoid, ph controller to come in the mail

[nicholas76]

If fill it with strains that dont pepper or darken too much


avoid the pigeons and diamonds,, id be filling it with albinos and lepords and RGD's

[endless]

good advice there nick

[axl]

i dont like the look of albino's thats for any fish for that matter, whats RGD'S stand for. I really like the look of blue diamonds so you dont reckon they wouldnt be ok??.

[axl]

i dont like the look of albino's thats for any fish for that matter, whats RGD'S stand for. I really like the look of blue diamonds so you dont reckon they wouldnt be ok??.

[nicholas76]

golden albinos are stunning and will make an amazing contrast. Againts your green fauna.

RGD - Red Gold Diamonds - A red discus which wont pepper up.

Blue diamonds,, yeah they are nice but when upset or get into there hide mood they will go dark and dark blue / black in colour. Again its your preference it can look good too.


merely suggestions I look forward to seeing whichever way you go :)

[axl]

anyone got ant pics of there RGD'S as i dont no what they look like and are they common if i want to buy them of my lfs

[DiscusEden]

Axl,
Try this thread:
http://www.discusforums.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10649&postdays=0&postorder=asc&&start=0&sid=c72b5328d3fd30a61611bb06afe94b36

It's the RGD thread that Xtreme started, further down this page in the photo album section.

I don't like your chances at the lfs, but the one I'm getting from xtreme is being posted.

HTH,
DiscusEden

[nicholas76]

extreme will obtain these for you, It s a matter of making a request and having patience.

[ivo]

Hi Nick, How are you beautiful golden albinos looking now? They must look even more stunning compare to a few months ago.

[nicholas76]

gday mate,


I recently received a picture of them from the new owner and they are truly picture perfect.

didnt you get some from memory?

[axl]

Hey Guys,
finally got some spare money and when out and purchased some plants. Here is some updated pics. I have got to add more crypts in the front right and co2 goes in soon. Any suggestions

[axl]

what ya reckon

[axl]

here is updated photos, i have finally added in all my plants and now i sit back enjoy the tank and watch it grow. Co2 goes in next Monday.

[axl]

more.....

[axl]

double post

[DiscusEden]

It's looking lovely Axl, great job!

JMO, but I might leave a bare area at the front for feeding? Overall looking great! :D

What's the next step?

[axl]

thanks for the nice comments, i was going to leave the front area open for swimming and feeding. The next step is fill it full with discus and tetras. I have to make a road trip to Melbourne and visit oakleigh fish.

[axl]

here is an update of what my tank looks like, Ive had the co2 on now for 3 weeks and are just starting to see the full effects of what co2 can do. Im only running 1.2wpg of light and my plants are pearling like crazy. i started to get a bit of algea so i have cut my ferts back to 15ml once a week. Discus are going in very soon, I cant wait. I added some sucking catfish and simasee fighter just to make sure that the tank has fully cycled. How does it look????

[axl]

1 more.....

[axl]

I think the tank is filling out nicely

[fish_r]

looking very nice axl :)
the plants look really healthy...

[axl]

thanks for the comments, see those 2 tall hygros do you reckon i should cut them and replant. Will this make them bush out more

[Robdog]

That looks awesome axl! Dark background sets it off nicely.

[fish_r]

see those 2 tall hygros do you reckon i should cut them and replant. Will this make them bush out more
u could, usually when u cut a plant it will grow 2 sprigs or more from the cut point, dont worry though they will soon bush up to the point u'll get sick of trimming :P

[scott bowler]

that is a very nice tank well done , great work very inpressive plant collcetion

[DiscusEden]

Have you thought about putting in 1 or 2 red plants? Maybe a tiger lotus?

Although all of the green against the black will set off the fish spectacularly!

Speaking of fish, any closer to getting them? Have you decided which strains to get yet? Or which sorts of tetras? Will you be getting any catfish of any sort?

[nicholas76]

oooh

id go for Golden Albino's and some quality leps!

[DiscusMad]

the tank is looking realy nice but the question I have is .........did you move the pictures behind the tank higher up the wall?

[axl]

Hey,
sorry for the late replies been away for easter. I dont no if i would have enough light for a red tiger lotus I only have 1.2wpg of light. Im gettng closer to having discus in there just waiting for a uv steriliser to arrive. I live 3 hours from Melbourne so its hard to get to the lfs for me, im going to do a road trip to Oakleigh Aquariums soon and see what discus i can pick up. The pics of the wall are in the other loungew room with the cichlid tank. Cheers Axl[/quote]

[helenuk]

Hey axl the tank is looking great.
I have noticed you are in Horsham by the way now i think that is not to far from Eastbourne but if you are interested we are in the process of selling our discus. We have 18 for sale. Let me know if you are interested. I am sure when you start to get some discus in that tank they will love it well done :wink:

[DiscusEden]

Hey Helenuk, sorry to break it to you, 'cos your fish are lovely, but that's Horsham, Victoria, Australia. They named most things over here after most things over there. Sorry!

Axl, if it's any help, I don't have a lot of light either at the moment, but my red tiger lotus is growing prolifically, and even getting new plants sprouting (I'm working on the lights).

I envy you your trip to Oakleigh, can't wait to hear what you get!

[helenuk]

:lol: :lol: :lol: LOL silly old me thanks for informing me DiscusEden
:lol: :lol: :lol:
I hope you find yourself some lovely discus to go in that wonderful tank :wink:

[Tommo]

Axl What Sort Of Substrate Is ? Just Sand ?

[axl]

Yep that is just plain old filter sand from the pool shop. I use aquasonic tablets once a week which def helps with the plants growing so well. I think sand looks awsome.

[nicholas76]

good old Clark rubber and you will pay $15 for a 20 kg bag usually

[axl]

I just got back from a 3 hour drive to Melbourne to get my new discus Yipeee, firstly i would like to thank Ravi from Findland Aquariums for his unbelievable service and top quality discus. If anyone wonts any excellent quality discus go down there and get yourself a bargin. These pics are only 10 min after they have been in the tank so there colour will improve. I picked up
4 blue snake skins
2 red turqs
2 red leopards
2 red snakeskins

Here are some pics sorry about some blur shots. Will post more later on.
What do you think.

[axl]

more........

[scott bowler]

they look good axl well done mate good buys nice healthy looking fish

[AussieStar]

im really loving the look of them fish. Nice work.

[axl]

me too im very happy for the way they have settled in so far they are swimming across the front of the glass. My smallest fish is a leopard and i have just notice that his tail has been nipped at. Is this what they called bulling. Is it going to be a problem??

[fish_r]

very nice looking fish Axl :)
if they havn't been in the tank long there probably just sorting out the pecking order i wouldnt be too worried yet...

[axl]

i talked to scott bowler and he said it was problaly ammonia activating in the bags from the 4hr trip. Had a close look and the fins look white like he said. Just wanted to show a couple more a bit better pics these 1. Im exicted

[axl]

1 more..... last 1 Ha Ha Ha Sorry about all the pics guys tell me to stop if you like

[axl]

I thought i would post more pics of my new discus after being in my tank a week. I added a blue turq and a white leopard yesterday. Discus are settling in fine now and are slowly eating more. What do you think

[axl]

more..............

[fish_r]

very nice looking fish Axl, especially like the white leopard :)

[axl]

hey,
yeah me to, i only got him yesterday from finland aquarium again and he was a bargin. I also got 20 rummy nose as well. The white leopard breaks up the other colours nicely.

[scott bowler]

very nice Axl looking good mate keep it up

[axl]

Hi,
thought i would update you guys with some pics of my discus 1 month after i purchased them. They are growing well and getting more colour everyday, I havent had any major issues yet *touch wood*. What do you think. I would like to thank Scott Bowler for all his help with any problems i have had, he has recieved numerous phone calls from me stressing out of course. This is a awsome website for info and where you can make new fish buddies and this is how it should stay.

[axl]

a couple more.......

[axl]

last 1 of my fav fish in there i think......

[scott bowler]

Axl they look awesome mate you are doing a great job and you are most welcome. I am happy to help any time mate you know were to find me hehe

[Roy]

Nice going Axl, the tank looks great and so do the fish.

Roy

[axl]

here are some pics of red spotted leopard protecting his young. This is the 2nd time they have layed. He is the male and the female is a red turq. im so excited i have finally got a pair.

[scott bowler]

hehe good luck with it Axl nice site when they lay hehe

[AussieStar]

have u got a FTS at all?

[JamezMan]

Love the tank and the fish. Really beautiful. I may have missed it, but what camera are you using?

[axl]

sorry about the late reply, I misse doyur post, im using a cannon ixus 40 1 of the older models.

[barramundi]

Hi Axl,

Nice planted tank mate, must admit i do like the type of crypts you have in the front and how nice and green your plants are.

Well done...........John

[axl]

Hey, havent posted any pics on here for a while, this tank has been running for about 6 months now. Very happy with the tank. Heres an update on what it looks like.

[axl]

more....

[axl]

last 1's

[scott bowler]

its looking stuning axl good work mate , very nice planted tank keep the pics comeing

[fish_r]

looking good Axl has filled out nicely
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v402/KharmaKazi/thumb.gif

[Davo]

Axl,

As I was looking at your tanks pic's I noticed that you have a airstone running in the tank. I have read that you should not run a airstone when you have the CO2 on. You should run it when it when the CO2 is off.

Dave.

[axl]

Yeah thanks for the info Dave, I already knew that and i am running my co2 at 3-4bps to keep the ph at 6.3 which will give me 30ppm of co2. If i leave the airstones off during the day the discus tend to breath alot heavier and arent as comfortable as having them on. Def there more relaxed when there is oxygen in the tank. At the moment you can hardly see them breathing and i always work on the theory if its not broken dont fix it. Thanks anyway.

[axl]

Hey,
havent posted pics here for a while of my tank, so i tohught i would share some with you guys,

[scott bowler]

the tank looks great mate , fish are doin well i see good work ,plants look good too

[axl]

more.........

[axl]

more....

[DiscusEden]

Lovely tank & fish Axl, you've gone a great job!

I love the shape of those fish & the colour on the scarlet is stunning! Is it an albino?

[Matt15]

Awesome looking setup Axl.... well done mate.

I haven't seen this thread before, so i've enjoyed reading it from start till now.

[axl]

thanks for your nice comments,

DiscusEden which fish are you talking about, i odnt have any albino's in there.

[scott bowler]

your fish have grown well and look realy healthy Axl good work mate

[DiscusEden]

Sorry, the scarlet with the red eye. I did a mental head slap after calling it an albino. What variety is it?

[axl]

Red Melon i think

[DiscusEden]

Nice! They're all looking great & really healthy. You've done a great job!

[axl]

RIP tank, this is the tank that i got a leak in and is currently undergoing a makeover. I have re silconed up the leak and are yet to test it again and this tank will have a new look heading into 08. Stay tuned.

[Robdog]

Blessing in disguise??? Haha Good luck with it Axl. It looked really nice before but now you have the enjoyment of doing it all over again.

[axl]

Thats it, i sort of look at it and say it was meant to happen for a reason obliviously someone thought it needed a change. I look forward to changing it around again and creating somthing completely different.

whats the best way to get the algea of the plants, do you soak them in bleach and water. ???

[Matt15]

whats the best way to get the algea of the plants, do you soak them in bleach and water. ???

I'm pretty sure there isn't a 'best way' with live plants. Your best to replace them with new ones. GL with your new tank makeover, I look forward to seeing the updates.

[axl]

Righto this is the new tank that i purchased as the other 1 got a big leak in it. Dramas Dramas

Its only been setup for a month now and the left side has filled in nicely. Once the right side fills in it should look alot better,

Any comments would be apprecieted on how i could improve it.

I had a problem with brown stuff going over the leaves and the back of tank, which was caused by over fertilising and that is slowly getting under control i hope.

[axl]

more..........

[scott bowler]

its looking great Alx , nice work mate

[Matt15]

Mate that looks awesome given its only 1 month old. WD... :wink:

[axl]

thanks scott and matt, see the brown **** on the back of the tank matt even the bristlenose cant keep up with it.

[Matt15]

Can you take a closer shot?

[axl]

updated pic added some more plants and taken a few out. Got some sunset hygro coming so that will fill in the hole at the back.

[axl]

Hey,
thought i would share some pics of what my tank looks like now after 2 mon ths of been setup. I have finally got rid of the BGA with H202 thanks to Illusion. Plants are growing nicely now.

[axl]

more......

[TW]

That looks fantastic. You've got some great growth there in 2 months. Is the substrate pool filter sand?

Cheers, Robyn

[axl]

i have got Dupla G on the first 3 inches and there is another layer of sand on top, it works really well becuase you can only see the sand and not the dupla. Its good if you dont want to spend hundreds of dollars on aothers subtrates.

[Matt15]

Fantastic growth rates there mate. It looks like an explosion of plant growth.

[rwel4809]

Good to see the Dupla G is working for you!

you've got a real jungle in there!

R

[axl]

Here is an update of how the tank looks now, I have taken alot of plants out and opened it up more so the discus have got more space to move around.

[lpiasente]

Looks great. Where is your red discus gone?

[axl]

He is in the hospital tank and still isnt eating.

[bartek]

Tank looks great.

Hope the poor little guy gets better.

What prompted the hospital tank?

[waitaki]

yeah hope he gets better - he really stood out! the tank is looking amazing

[axl]

Thanks for the nice comments, I moved him about 1 month ago becuase he was hiding and not eating. I have treated him with prazi, metro and tetracycline over a month period to see if he will eat anything. He wont touch blood worms, colour bits, flakes etc. The only thing he will eat is guppies!!!!! he must be very fussy and i cant just keep feeding him guppies all the time. I dont no what to do.

[axl]

Hey,
here is some of my latest pics of how the fish have turned out and what the tank looks like.

[axl]

more...

[axl]

more...

[mcloughlin2]

Amazing tank. Needs some more orange and yellow discus. The single pigeon looks odd in there in my opinion. :wink:

[lpiasente]

Good to see your melon is better

[axl]

Yeah some more orange or yellow discus would be good but im full at the moment and cant fit anymore in.

The red melon has recovered well and is 1 of my fav in there.

[Scotty Bils]

Awesome looking tank there. Some awesome fish and some great plants.

If you ever wanted to get rid of some of those crypts let me know as I would love some of those, they look awesome!! :D

[Matt15]

Axl tank looks great mate. Both fish and plants are doing really well.

[axl]

Its been a while since ive updated this post and i have pulled out alot of the crypts due to over growth and algea. This is what it looks today and its only a week old with the rescapping. Ive battled blue green algea and bga of late and are slowly getting on top off it. What a challange to the say the least.

[axl]

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