4ft Semi Planted Tank updated 29/07/05

[Roy]

http://www.pbase.com/cmdr_roy/image/43471157.jpg

Roy

[leanne31]

That looks very good Roy good work. :lol:

Leanne

[Roy]

Hey all, here is a pic of my tank that i took this morning before coming to work.
Im still getting plants and adding them as i go. At the moment im running a CO2 injection system that you can see on the left hand side. Filtration is a JEBO cannister filter, 900 or 1000 lts/hr, cant remember the exact specs. I have a variety of plants, some on driftwood, my favourite is the Anubias on the right hand side, the wood has a hole running from the top to the bottom and forms a little cave underneath.

You may notice that there are no discus in the tank at the moment, this will be rectified in July when i build up some cash. Im going to go to OAFI and prob get 4 juvies to start with.

At the moment there are 2 Clown Loaches, 3 Bristlenose and 20 Cardinals (which i got on the weekend from OAFI).

I checked all the water parameters on the weekend, zero Ammonia and Nitrites :D pH is steady at about 6.5, has been for quite a while and im assuming its the CO2 doing that. Lighting is one 4ft quad phosphour tube and one 2ft bio lux tube.

One problem i do have at the moment is a high Gh level, about 200ppm. What do people recommend to soften the water ??

Roy

[leanne31]

Hi roy did you double check that gh test as I was under the impression Melbourne had very soft water but if your water readings are correct I think the only way of softening it is with a ro unit.

Leanne

[Roy]

I will check the levels again later this week, see if they have changed.
Ive heard of water softening pillows ??

Roy

[DR.V]

use peat moss to soften water, peat moss brings down kH, i think kH and gH is a bit similar??

[Merrilyn]

Check the water out of the tap after it has been standing for 24 hours, then check the water in the tank. If there is a big difference in the readings, something in the tank is causing an increase in the GH. It could be gravel or rocks.

Harder water is fine for raising discus, especially juveniles, but you do need to know what is causing it.

[kalebjarrod]

nice tank roy

[goldenpigeon]

like all the plants! great 1! :D

[Plats]

You have probably picked the best Discus store in Melb. I have 8 Discus from OAFI and Mr. Mack gives good, solid advice. A question about your CO2, was it DIY or name brand?

[Roy]

For the CO2 i bought two of the Nutrafin packs off eBay, just to see how it went.
Im almost out of the little packets so im going to start up my own mixture soon.
I have since put in some more plants, get some variety in there.
Actually did a mass planting last night with Lillapeosis (sp?) grass on the right hand side.
Will get an updated photo over the weekend and put it up.
Im almost ready to buy some discus :D

Roy

[Merrilyn]

Roy and Plats, are you coming to the get together for all the Melbourne Discus folk saturday week at my house.

Check out the thread in the lounge for more info.

All welcome. BYO drinks.

[Roy]

I will be there on sat arvo, but have to leave about 4 as i have a party sat night :D

Updated photo:

http://www.pbase.com/cmdr_roy/image/45410014.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/cmdr_roy/image/45410046/large.jpg

Had a bit of an algae bloom last week but managed to scrub most of it out. Im thinking of getting some SAE soon to help out, would be nice :D
Also its almost time to get some actual discus !!! Thinking of picking up 4 juvies in the next two weeks from OAFI.

Roy

[axl]

Hey,
nice looking tank coming along nicely. I was wondering what is that plant on the left of the that anabius is it giant hygro
cheers axl

[Roy]

Just thought i would put in an updated photo of the tank !

http://www.pbase.com/cmdr_roy/image/46862326.jpg

Ive moved a few things around and added some more fish.
Also added an 11w UV a few weeks ago.
Tank is crystal clear, not that it wasnt before :D
Having to trim the plants on a weekly basis, they grow so much !!
Just running DIY co2 and have AZOO fertilizer red balls in the gravel.
Also been adding liquid fertz once a week.

Roy

[Merrilyn]

Roy, that tank is looking wonderful. You've done a fabulous job. :thumb

[duck]

your tank is looking good and healthy

[kalebjarrod]

thats really starting to take shape :wink:

[jim from sydney]

Roy......TOPS PAL.......Jim

[Roy]

Thanks guys, and Ladies of course ;)

Roy

[AussieStar]

yea your tank is really nice, do u add ferts?

[Roy]

Just liquid fertz once a week.
Also have some of the AZOO red substrate balls in there, no idea how long they last.
Might have to dig around in the gravel and check :D

Roy

[DR.V]

Nice tank ! Its so green and healthy.

^_^

[mcloughlin2]

Lookin good :thumb ...wat is the tall plant that is on the left next to the anubis...??

[Roy]

Umm prob Hygro, im trimming it back once a week, keeps growing !

Roy