7Ft Planted Tank - Planning Stage

[TW]

I'm asking these questions here, as the tank will planted & I'd like to keep all my questions for this tank, together in the one thread.

The tank's been ordered, the light fitting is here & 2 x Eheim 2080's. They're currently cycling on my other tanks. They've been running since 2nd April.

I haven't been given a date for my tank to be delivered yet.

But say by 3 May, if new tank is here - will that be too soon to transfer the discus into a tank with those filters, or do I need to leave the filters where they are & running for longer before they're discus safe?

Also, will I have to transfer the stock over slowly, like I would for a tank that cycled from scratch. I'm hoping that by running the new filters on fully stocked tanks, it will be safe to transfer everyone across at the one time.

I don't want to move the discus unless it's safe to, so hoping for some advice. Thanks in advance.

[Matt15]

This new tank sounds exciting Robyn, can't wait to see some pics once its finished.

Q. Did you recycle any old filter media from the existing filters into the new ones?
Q. Are you using any of those water ages/cycle products which you can add a few drops each day to help the good bacteria to build, cycling your filters?

[ILLUSN]

if you run the filter for a good solid month on a stocked tank, they'll be seeded, again if you can throw a handull of used filter media into each they'll seed faster.

if your confident that the bacterial poulation is well established then you can add all the fish starit away, although i would personally transfer 50% in one month and then the other 50% the next month.

[TW]

Re-reading my question, I see I rushed a bit setting out what I did with the filters I’m cycling (lazy). Here's a fuller explanation of how they're cycling:-

1st 2080
This is one of two filters running for a year on a 3ft divided tank. One filter runs on either side of glass divider. There’s a new 2060 (unseeded) cycling since 3 April on a fully stocked & long established African tank. This will replace the 2080 on the 3ft, when the 2080 moves across to the 7ft tank. So, it’s the 3ft tank ( lightly stocked - 4 ottos, 4 pt. nigerian reds & 3 aggies) which will receive a newly cycled 2060. Hope this is ok - not only will 2060 have been running a month, gravel, plants, driftwood in the 3ft will have good bacteria already. Plus the 2nd filter will have at least some impact on the side from which I will be taking the 2080, as the glass divider is not watertight & does allow some transference of water between the halves (when gravel vac one side, both sides empty equally).

2nd 2080
Already stole large amount of seeded filter media for the new Heckle QT tank’s filter ( week or so prior) so didn’t want to risk taking out more so soon. So 2nd filter started from scratch, cycling on the 3ft mentioned above (3ft has 3 filters at the mo).

This all means the new discus tank will have one 2080 that’s been running on a lightly stocked tank for a year and one 2080 that has been cycling on a fully stocked African tank for a month.

Is it enough :?:

I'd personally prefer to do the 50% transfer plan, but am under pressure from hubby to close down the existing discus tank asap. To be ready for delivery of new tank (twitch … impatient ... waiting … twitch … twitch) & also so we don’t have to move it a 2nd time, we’ve already moved the old discus tank onto the family room floor, with power leads & C02 bits & pieces surrounding it. Looks messy & hubby wants it gone.

But if the filter situation won't be good enough – then I’ll put up a resistance to the all in one move. Thanks to both of you & wonder what your thoughts are now with the full explanation?

[fishgeek]

bacteria that utilise nitrogen in acid water have been proven different to those in neutral and alkaline water(the latter are the type found in'bacteria in a bottle' products)

whichever way you seed the filter i would be inclined to test the water so to speak, by adding an ammonia source and seeing whether the filters cope with it

i would imagine they would, though with a large number of discus i would want to know for sure

andrew

[TW]

bacteria that utilise nitrogen in acid water have been proven different to those in neutral and alkaline water(the latter are the type found in'bacteria in a bottle' products) Thanks for the input. I'm a bit of dummy & not sure what you mean. Do you mean that cycling one of the filters on my African tank (high pH) won't work well when I move it to the discus tank (low pH).
whichever way you seed the filter i would be inclined to test the water so to speak, by adding an ammonia source and seeing whether the filters cope with it How do I add a source of ammonia. I have never been able to find pure ammonia - only cloudy ammonia. I've read that you shouldn't use the cloudy ammonia. I could add a prawn - or just see how it handles my Sydney water. I find I have ammonia coming directly out of the tap, as my established tanks test nil for ammonia, but a glass of water from the tap tests positive for ammonia. What would be the best test - a prawn or just the water itself?


i would imagine they would, though with a large number of discus i would want to know for sure 6 discus in total need to transfer, as well as some apistos, ottos, corries & cardinal tetras.

[fishgeek]

i very much doubt any water board would be allowed to have ammonia in water, much more likely it is the amination of chlorine to make it more stable and dissacioation of this that gives you an ammonia reading

do none of the hardware stores sell ammonia?



and yes in theory alkaline or high pH bacteria are different to low pH bacteria, though in practice there are more variable and so these theories often get blown out of the water


maybe just use some cheap test fish?
cant wait to see the tank pictures, hint hint

[ILLUSN]

Hi andrew, the only ammonia we can get outside a chemist in sydney is coudy ammonia from a supermarkets (bomb making and stupid kids mixing it with iodine).

TW, throw a prawn in there, it'll make ammonia

[TW]

i very much doubt any water board would be allowed to have ammonia in water, much more likely it is the amination of chlorine to make it more stable and dissacioation of this that gives you an ammonia reading For whatever reason, my tapwater tests positive for ammonia :x & my cycled tanks don't :)
and yes in theory alkaline or high pH bacteria are different to low pH bacteria, though in practice there are more variable and so these theories often get blown out of the water Bummer, I stole media from the African filter to seed the wild Heckle's QT filter & those poor fish moved in on day 1 when I brought them home from Xtreme. They seemed to have survived it.
TW, throw a prawn in there, it'll make ammonia I will. Questions
a) will one large green prawn be enough?
b) how long till the prawn causes ammonia
c) how long after ammonia appears will the good bacteria from a cycled filter need to deal with ammonia created by prawn
cant wait to see the tank pictures, hint hint
No tank pics yet - not delivered (hurry up Mr Tank Maker pls). I'm restricted by cabinet (19" deep) so tank's made to suit. Sadly, had this U-shaped cabinet made BEFORE I got into the hobby. No room left for free standing purpose built cabinet - so stuck with what I have. Tank on left (1st pic) is 4ft African & the space from TV (1st pic) all the way to the end of 2nd tank (2nd pic) is where 7ft will go. The 2nd tank is the current discus tank & now sits in middle of floor, waiting to shut down. Window is no longer real - insulated & boarded up from outside, to prevent possible algae issues.


http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/165L/000_1381Left.jpg http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/165L/000_1385_right.jpg

To match the 20" high African tank in height (separated only by TV from the 7ft) the new tank will also only be 20" high. So, it'll be small for a 7ft, only holding 523L or 138G. Fishgeek, not the pics you want (sorry), but still a record for me of my 7ft tank journey. Promise, finished pics will also appear later. Hubby visited a scaffolding supplier & there are now six jacks in the cabinet to ensure the strength. (There are 4 under the African)

Interior - Main Section - 4 Jacks in place in this shot. Holes in false bottom of cabinet - jacks go all the way to floor.
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_2039.jpg


Interior - Left Side One side of shelf cut out to house filter. Marking for hole to be cut for filter hoses. Right shelf still needs to be removed for that filter.
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_2044.jpg

Interior - Ex Pull out DVD / CD Drawer Now where to store my DVD's :?: There are 2 more jacks in here
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_2043.jpg

That's if for now - already too long a post :oops:

[fishgeek]

(bomb making and stupid kids mixing it with iodine).



whats stupid about touch powder? and you can use cloudy for that
we used to paint it on the desks at school , let it dry and listen to the bangs as kids dropped there books, or with the lift top school desks , under the stoppers

great fun old touch powder



I will. Questions
a) will one large green prawn be enough?
b) how long till the prawn causes ammonia
c) how long after ammonia appears will the good bacteria from a cycled filter need to deal with ammonia created by prawn

the prawn is a bit variable... you are awaiting protein decompostion to release the nitrogen and convert to ammonia, that too depends on bacteria
urine is 2 ammonia bound as urea, at least that is a closer starting point than protein
or just use fish food that too has protein

best is to by the ammonia, as you can measure that with the test kit you have and will know precisely what is going on

otherwise just feed the tank and do what thousands have before , put the fish in and monitor closely , large tank so unlikley there will be huge swings... you are doing your best to seed filters.... the theory i am spouting is just theory

where's them pictures?

[TW]

Thanks for the extra advice fishgeek
best is to by the ammonia, yes, but ....
Quote from post by Merrilyn: The problem with cloudy ammonia is that it has detergent in it, and we sure don't need that in the tank.....Clear ammonia has been harder and harder to find over the last couple of years. Seems it's an ingredient in bombs or something. and
Quote from post by Samir : cloudy does not work So it seems ammonia is out as an option :x . I even have to sign & give a photocopy of my drivers licence to supplier of my dry ferts (seems they are also an ingredient in bomb making).
where's them pictures? Yes, I know I owe you pics - but a bit hard since I'm still waiting .... waiting .... waiting for the tank to be delivered. For now, pics of the cabinet (prev post) will have to do LOL, sorry.

[Robdog]

I reckon they'll be fine TW. The filters should have some capacity to biologically filter once they are hooked up and as Andrew said, it's a fairly big tank so your fish load might not make that much of an ammonia dent. Note: "might" :wink:

Maybe some pics of your little Lori will have to do until the tank arrives. 8-)

[TW]

Maybe some pics of your little Lori will have to do until the tank arrives. Hi Robdog, do you mean Butch, my Olive Rainbow Lorikeet - if so, ok, you asked for it. I love him heaps & love sharing pictures.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/Butch%20and%20Cheeky%20-%20Lorikeets/000_1916.jpg

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/Butch%20and%20Cheeky%20-%20Lorikeets/000_1679.jpg

Enjoying a tickle fight
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/Butch%20and%20Cheeky%20-%20Lorikeets/000_1923.jpg http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/Butch%20and%20Cheeky%20-%20Lorikeets/000_1924.jpg

All wet from his bath
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/Butch%20and%20Cheeky%20-%20Lorikeets/000_1676.jpg http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/Butch%20and%20Cheeky%20-%20Lorikeets/000_1756.jpg

Testing out his toys - as well as the toys in the pic, he has a large toy box under the cage with all the spare toys - a very spoiled bird
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/Butch%20and%20Cheeky%20-%20Lorikeets/000_1681.jpg http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/Butch%20and%20Cheeky%20-%20Lorikeets/000_1704-1-1.jpg http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/Butch%20and%20Cheeky%20-%20Lorikeets/000_1706.jpg http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/Butch%20and%20Cheeky%20-%20Lorikeets/000_1696thisone.jpg

Last one - Enjoying a visit with Cheeky, my son's "Red Collared Rainbow Lorikeet"
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/Butch%20and%20Cheeky%20-%20Lorikeets/070926_IMGP0053.jpg

Anyways, I'll be in trouble now - cause what are bird pics doing in a thread about setting up a planted tank. I'll blame you Robdog :wink: LOL

I promise, the next pics here will be of the tank & it's setting up process.

[TW]

Yipee - they're delivering the tank on Saturday morning

[albatrozz]

TW!!!! first person ive seen with an olive rainbow lorikeet other than myself!! Finally i know im not alone... :D

[Hollowman]

I have never even seen one before, what a beautiful bird!!
:)

Holloman

[Bald_noggin]

I LOVE rainbow lori's. They can be such idiots!

I used to have one many years ago. :cry:

[TW]

Not much as yet, but here is a pic of how I think I will be laying this out. As the layout suggests, there will be two planted sections & a beach section in the middle & across the front.

The driftwood is bigger than I thought & doesn't fit laying down & I don't want to cut/break it, so at least at the beginning, this is how I think I will have it. I hope it will look nice when there are anubias on the lower sections. I won't be using any moss, as I don't really like it. I have a smaller & lower piece of driftwood for the right side planted section, but it's still in the current discuss setup, so not shown here.

The rock border will be mainly covered in substrate, so won't be too prominent I hope.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_2070_copy_rockdriftwood.jpg
TW!!!! first person ive seen with an olive rainbow lorikeet other than myself!! Finally i know im not alone... albatrozz, there's not so many olives - that's why my daughter chose Butch - to be a bit different . I know of a 2yr old olive rainbow for sale at a local pet store, if you're interested.
I have never even seen one before, what a beautiful bird!! I won't argue there, Hollowman LOL
I LOVE rainbow lori's. They can be such idiots! I can tell you know them, Bald_noggin. That's what makes them such fun pets - keep you smiling, don't they!

[Matt15]

Layout looks great Robyn, can't wait to see it once you've laid the substrate and planted the plants. 7 foot certainly is HUGE..!!! :D

[TW]

Thanks for the visit Matt.

Planning layout is taking longer than thought. Played around with the rocks a bit. Planted areas are enlarged & sand area smaller. Bought a few more pieces of driftwood & tried to arrange so they look a little like tree roots growing out of substrate.

As they need to be buried a little in the substrate, I wil probably need to soak them for before the substrate goes in. Sand is in now. About to test if the driftwood floats or not. Updated pics follow.

full tank - with sand
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_2096.jpg

Left Hand Side - with sand
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_2098.jpg

Right Hand Side - with sand
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_2099.jpg

that's it for now :)

[rwel4809]

Your tanks is looking great Robyn, what plants are you planning?

just a suggestion with the wood:

I had a big piece of wood that refused to sink.. i just weighed it down with rocks for the first 6 weeks or so, you can remove the weights later. This allows you to plant the tank up with the wood in place without having to wait for ages before you can get started.

Look forward to seeing that tank full of plants and fishes :D

Robert

[Matt15]

that's it for now :)

:( Sometimes my impatence gets the better of me.

PS. I love your wood features.... where did you get them from?

[fishgeek]

coming along nicely tw

andrew

[TW]

Hi Matt
Sometimes my impatence gets the better of me. PS. I love your wood features.... where did you get them from? trying hard to ignore my impatience, not easy LOL. Wood came from St George Aquariums, ROckdale in Sydney. It's several pieces. After Heiko Bleher's comments in the "Low Light" thread, I worried I hadn't planned enough shade places - so rushed out & got the extra pieces. It has delayed all, as the new pieces won't sink. You have a very nice piece in your 5ft too, Matt.

Hi rwel4809 & fishgeek - thanks for popping in & kind words. rwel4809, I'm thinking about your driftwood suggestion - not sure how to do it, as none of the pieces will sit in on the flat - they will all be on "point".

what plants are you planning

These probably won't all make it in the tank, or if they do, won't all be permanent. This is what I have available to transfer across. I've been gathering new plants for this project for a while now.

Willow leaf hygro "Hygrophila salicifolia" http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_viewer.php?id=279
Pogostemon stellatus http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_viewer.php?id=119

Crypts
Cryptocoryne walkeri ('lutea')http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_viewer.php?id=79
Cryptocoryne wendtii http://www.aquariumsuppliesaustralia.com.au/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=916
Cryptocoryne wendtii ('Mi Oya') http://www.aquariumsuppliesaustralia.com.au/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=917
Echinodorus tenellus ('dwarf chain sword') http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_viewer.php?id=217
Aponogeton crispus http://www.aquariumsuppliesaustralia.com.au/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=886
Blyxa japonica http://www.aquariumsuppliesaustralia.com.au/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=1493
Riccia fluitans http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_viewer.php?id=183

Anubias
Anubias barteri v. 'nana' http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_viewer.php?id=19
Anubias barteri v. 'coffeefolia' http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_viewer.php?id=200
Plus some other anubias - forget the varieties

Hemianthus callitrichoides ('HC') http://www.plantgeek.net/plant-275.htm
Cryptocoryne crispatula var. balansae http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_viewer.php?id=68
Microsorum pteropus Narrow ('Narrow Leaf Java Fern') http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_viewer.php?id=163
Echinodorus Uruguayensis http://www.aquariumsuppliesaustralia.com.au/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=927
Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata ('Narrow Ludwigia') http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_viewer.php?id=242

[rwel4809]

nice plant list Robyn...

You might find the riccia quite annoying though, it tends to get quite messy floating on top, and if you plan to decorate submerged rocks with it, it eventually rises to the surface leaving only an unpleasant brown substance on the rock... you might have better luck with it though :D

I'm interested to see how you go with the HC, you need alot of light and C02 to get a good carpet of that going. It also grows best in ADA substrate...

Java ferns always end up dying on me too. I suspect they don't like the high temps of Discus tanks.

you do have some of my favourites though:

P. Stelatus, A. Crispus, E. Tellenus (great as a mid-ground, not so good as a lawn)...

I'm also a big fan of Vallis, its so easy to grow and multiplies all the time, it provides a good canopy (better than other floating plants IMO) and it is so easy to prune - you just cut it to the desire length!

Another favourite are Nymphea Lotus varieties... they are really expensive to buy retail, they are slow growing, but once you have one they multiply easily.. So I recommend that you put a wanted ad in the classified section, I'm sure one of our members will sell you some of their baby plants much cheaper that the lfs...

Can't wait to see the planting...

HTH

Robert

[TW]

You might find the riccia quite annoying though, it tends to get quite messy floating on topI know what you mean, as I have used riccia quite a bit & am harvesting from my existing stock for this tank. I think the trick is to keep the rock sizes small enough, so that you can remove rocks periodically for a haircut, before the riccia has grown long enough to detach itself. (The haircut is done outside the tank). Even so, there do always seem to be little bits of riccia floating around the top of the tank. I like riccia enough to try it again here, but if the maintenance of it in a big tank get's too much, I'll rethink.


I'm interested to see how you go with the HC, you need alot of light and C02 to get a good carpet of that going. It also grows best in ADA substrate... I'm using ADA, I have C02 & think my lights will be enough. Plan also to start off the tank waterless, as per a Tom Barr thread elsewhere, as a sort of terrarium. No messy individual planting of HC that way - you just lay it on top & in a week or two it has taken root. I've been cultivating my batch of HC this way since Oct 07. This may foil my plan of water logging my driftwood though, as it will have time to dry out before water is added to tank. All but 2 smaller pieces now sink.


Java ferns always end up dying on me too. I suspect they don't like the high temps of Discus tanks. Hmm, tropica says it's ok up to 30C. But I only have a small portion of this &, being the narrow leaf type (hard to find) I may put it in the apisto tank instead, as I don't want to lose it.

Thanks for the other plant tips :D

[TW]

Anyone had experience with Echinodorus Uruguayensis. Do they get really big. I really like how they look & would like to incldue a fair few - but if they end up as monster size swords, it would be good to know this so I plant less of them.

Anyone with experince of them?

[TW]

Got around to doing a little more today. Both substrates are in & the HC & anubia are planted. Some crypts are in, more yet to be planted tomorrow. Some riccia rocks are in, but not finished yet. I have a little more riccia on hand, but maybe not enough to finish the job.

The next few weeks, this will run as a terrarium, so no other variety of plant will go in, until I'm ready to fill it. That won't be until the HC has taken root.

It hard to take a full front shot of a 7ft tank, as you have to get a far way back, but here it is anyway

Full Front Shot
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_2126.jpg

Left Hand Side
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_2121.jpg

Middlehttp://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_2122.jpg

Right Side
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_2123.jpg

That's it for now :D

[rwel4809]

Looking fantastic!!

great that you are taking your time to get it looking perfect.... I'm not sure that I'm always that patient :)

I look forward to the next installment!

Robert

[Merrilyn]

Wow ..... I love what you've done so far.

Please keep us updated with pics as the tank progresses.

[scott bowler]

i like the way have done that TW , looks awesome keep the pics comeing

[TW]

I'm not sure that I'm always that patient Hi Robert - hard to be patient, yes, but I am unlikely to ever get the ok from "management" to have another tank at all - let alone a 7ft, I want to be as happy as I can. I know I'll never be completely happy with it - but hey, I'll try. The dividing wall is siliconed in place - so changing it around later will not be an easy task.

Merrilyn - thanks for popping in. After visiting your wild planted tank recently, that changed my vision for this tank. That was as late as after I started siliconing the rocks in place. The additional driftwood was purchased after both the "low light thread" & being inspired by your tank. I couldn't swap to your style completely, as the divisional walls were siliconed in place & the 2 substrates purchased - but your tank was an inspiration. Also due to your tank, I think my plant list (see earlier post in this thread) will simplify & contain fewer varieties. I will include more swords. BTW, have you had experience with Echinodorus Uruguayensis? Do they get really big? I really like how they look & would like to include a few - but if they end up as monster size swords, it would be good to know this so I plant less of them.

Today, I started to play around with rocks & building mounds, trying to bring more 3D into the tank. I now have a few small mounds in there, but whether the water washes away the mounds I've built when I fill the tank - well, we'll see. 3 of the mounds have crypts draped over them, to soften their look. Another one that can still be seen clearly, I'm thinking will have a grouping of Blyxa japonica in front of it - so not much will be visible there.

Placed the riccia stones at different angles & more spaced out. Trying to make them look less like a man made edging. Some of the built in dividing stones may be left exposed, to break it up. The riccia rocks can be played with easily & moved at will. I probably can't get a real idea of their best placement, until the riccia bushes up.

Pics only have subtle changes, but here they are:-

Full front
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_2129.jpg

Left Hand side - with 2 new mounds, & new crypt planting
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_2130.jpg

Middle / Right Side with riccia rocks rearranged, new rock/mounds & new crypt planting
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_2131.jpg

Far right - new rock mound, new crypt planting
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_2132.jpg

Shots of HC, taken from above
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_2133.jpg http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_2134.jpg http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_2135.jpg

The plant I'm less sure of working in a terrarium setting (as this is for the next few weeks) is riccia. I'm not sure if they will dry out this way.

I don't expect any further changes here until I'm ready to fill with water. That's when swords, stems & the balance of plants will go in.

Thanks for looking :)

[Proteus]

I have always been a fan of the Tom Barr waterless method. If the right plants are planted this way I dont think you can get results any better by other means. Sure beats what ADA & others recommend....

[Matt15]

Robyn I love the mold on rocks approach. This ones gotta be a winner forsure.

[ILLUSN]

Anyone had experience with Echinodorus Uruguayensis. Do they get really big

This plant wont take the heat of a discus tank, I've got red and green horemanni and neither do well at temps above 25-26C.

In my unheated tank (20-25C) these things can easily 3/4 fill a 4x2x2 on their own.

If you want some big swords for a discus tank drop me a PM.
if its the leafshape of the Uruguayensis that you like maybe try a native "lace plant" they'll take the temp.

[fishgeek]

looking brilliant , glad i popped back in

[TW]

Proteus, Matt, ILLUSN & fishgeek - thanks for popping by & for the positive comments. Scott, thanks as well, as I didn't see your post earlier.

ILLUSN, I'm so disappointed by the news re: Echinodorus Uruguayensis. I should have checked this info out on tropica. I do love the long thin, yet firm, leaf shape. The lace plants just don't quite match it, but I'll check some of them out. Not sure what to do with the 2 plants I already have, considering you say they can 3/4 fill a 4x2x2 on their own. My apisto tank is only 3x2x2 & is divided in half with a glass divider. If I either kept it trimmed back or kept in a pot, would it stay small enough not to take over & dominate?

I'll send you a PM for your suggestions for big swords for a discus tank.

[ILLUSN]

if you grow them in something like a 150mm pot it signicantly restricts their growth, thats how i keep mine now to keep them small, pop them into pots with some good substrate and drop them into your apisto tank they'll do fine, I've got my "baby" horemannis growing in an 80L, with good regular pruning they stay managable.

tey're a great plant, probably my favorite sword.

[TW]

I'm thinking I may have to re-assess my vision of swords on this tank. According to the specs on Tropica, all the swords will just grow to big.

I'm looking for suggestions that will give me a similar look to swords, but not be so big that my driftwood will be lost. I'm thinking of:

Aponogeton crispus http://www.aquariumsuppliesaustralia.com.au/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=886
Cryptocoryne crispatula var. balansae http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_viewer.php?id=68 and
I will still have Willow leaf hygro "Hygrophila salicifolia" http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_viewer.php?id=279 and http://www.aquagreen.com.au/plant_data/Hygrophila_angustifolia.html

Maybe Red Lace Plant, but they are out of stock http://www.aquagreen.com.au/plant_data/Aponogeton_euryspermus.html and Branching Val http://www.aquagreen.com.au/plant_data/Vallisneria_caulescens.html - but that's also out of stock.

Any other suggestions will be welcome. Must do well in a discus tank, around 28-29 deg.

Thanks in advance.

[scott bowler]

tw have you got any new pics would love to see it done hehe

[TW]

would love to see it done hehe Me too. I'm over having the 43G tank (with the discus still in it) sitting on a removalist trolley in the middle of my lounge room floor. The discus are giving me dirty looks, wondering why they arent' swimming around in the larger tank.

I stuffed up :banghead It's still in terrarium mode. Will be so for at least 4 weeks. Pulled up all the HC - there were issues with lazy way I planted it - (didn't separate each plant - simply spread them out on substrate in little clumps). Lazy way didn't work. Plants were laying on top of each other - the underneath ones dying off, as they were deprived of light by those on top of them). The 2nd issue, which would have been prevented by not being lazy in the 1st place) was that I didn't realise there were little bits of riccia mixed in with the HC. Didn't notice it at first, but the riccia was growing at a fast rate & quickly taking over & robbing the HC of light - strangling it in fact. Tried gently pulling the riccia out, but it was just pulling out the HC (it was intermingled amongst the HC roots). Just last night, I finished the tedious task of using tweezers to separate each little plant, picking out all riccia & replanting. Still only laid each plant on the substrate - but each plant laid out individually with space in between eacy.

Very annoyed with myself for this error - otherwise could be filling it now.

Counting on HC filling in & holding the hills together, so they don't collapse into the valleys, when I fill it. This will take time - probably even more than the 4 weeks I'm calculating.

At work - but when home I'll put up pics of the dying HC &
the replanting job. Despite all of this, the HC did multiply and I have heaps left over. I just can't be bothered separating any more of it for the moment.

I'm wishing the sand was a whiter colour & I'm looking into alternatives, that don't raise pH & are not so fine that you get gravel vac issues. This is ADA Bright sand. In the end, I think it's much the same colour as silica pool filter sand. Can anyone say if silica pool filter sand would be lighter?

thanks for stopping by Scott

[scott bowler]

not to worry every one has hickups sounds like you are sorting them thow thats great , so good luck and i would love to see progress pics , cant wait hehe

[waitaki]

Hi TW the tanks is looking ok - I won't mind moving in myself 8-) 8-)
hope you overcome your plant probs, looking forward to seeing your discus swimming in there :lol: :lol:

[TW]

Hi Scott & waitaki, thanks for the interest. Getting closer to filling it now, as I'm tired of waiting for the HC to fill out. Thinking of replacing the sand with a lighter coloured sand, so that is another delaying factor.

But I have a filter question now. Started off this thread letting saying I have 2 filters cycling on another tank, since April 08 & the other one has been running since around Sept 07, so both are fully mature. (mistakenly said they were 2 x 2080's - wrong, they are 2 x 2028's).

I forgot to mention that the tank they've been cycling on has only an extremely light load. It's 74G & only has 6 dwarf cichlids & 2 ottos.

Will the fact that these filters have only been used to support a small bio load mean they will not be ready to support the immediate transfer of 6-7 discus, plus assorted dwarf cichlids, corys, ottos & a few cardinals.

Will I need to stagger the transfer. I know this will seem the same question as I asked earlier, but specifically here I'm concerned about the far larger bio load in the new set up. I am extremely cautious about doing anything that might harm my discus. I'm prone to making stupid mistakes - I don't want to make one now that kills them.

Any thoughts, anyone?

[fishgeek]

your discus are in a filtered tank now

move that filter with the fish, and run in parallel with the filters you intend to run on main tank at same time for a period
alternatively take the media from that tank and transfer the bacteria straight into the new filter's media containers

andrew
patiently waiting to see how this develops

[TW]

your discus are in a filtered tank now ..... move that filter with the fish, and run in parallel with the filters you intend to run on main tank at same time for a period alternatively take the media from that tank and transfer the bacteria straight into the new filter's media containers Thanks Andrew - can't move the filter, it's an Aqua-one 850R, with the inbuilt trickle filter in the hood.

I can transfer media, but there's far less media in this filter than in my 2 cycling cannisters (though they're the ones cycling on the light load). If I toss out just enough of the media in the 2 cycled cannisters to fit this media in, will that will be enough to safeguard the full load?

Of course, if I do this, it means I have no choice but to move everyone immediately, as any remaining in the established tank won't have a cycled filter anymore, the plants will have have been transferred & only the good bacteria on the gravel would remain in the old tank. It will ruin the look somewhat, but I might also fill a couple of stockings with old gravel & mulm & put that in the new tank to help things along.

So, is this safe to do??


patiently waiting to see how this develops Once this & my sand choice is sorted out (not happy with the sand in there) I'm going to fill it. The HC isn't growing as well as I'd like, but I'm sick of waiting for it to happen.

Thanks for the help, Robyn.

[fishgeek]

alternatvely wash the old media in front of the filter intakes to seed the new media

effectively translocating bacteria to new media , doubling time for most species of biobacter is 24-36 hrs so if you only put one tenth the numbers needed in it will still only take approximately 5 or 6 days to be ready to cope

and that way you still have the old filter and tank stable as back up

[TW]

thanks, sounds a good plan :thumb

So I when the new tank is full of water & the new filters transferred to it, it's then that I wash some of the old filter media in front of the filter intake.

Moving the fish over 5-6 days sounds good. Maybe 2 discus a day & a couple of the smaller fish (apistos, cories, ottos)

[TW]

Took longer than expected & didn't go to plan, but finally, TODAY is DAY ONE of this tank's life filled with water. I finally have some pics to share. The water went in about a couple of hours ago.

Full Front
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_0087.jpg

Left Side
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_0088.jpg http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_0090.jpg

Right Side
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_0089.jpg

The sand has been changed. It started out as ADA Bright Sand, but I wanted something whiter, so with help from members here, ended up with good old silica pool filter sand. I'm much happier with it. Earlier pics, without the water, show the ADA Bright Sand.

I don't have enough riccia yet, to cover all the rock border, so I know it still has an odd, unnatural & unfinished look to the border. Also, the crypts & other plants need to grow in.

Though my 2 filters were running for months on another tank, I think most or all of my good bacteria must have been killed in the transfer to this tank. I think they were turned off too long while I tried to figure out how to connect the UV steriliser, because an ammonia test came up 0.25. Had hoped I could add my discus straight away, but not to be. I currently have a bowl in there with 3 green prawns (dead) to be my source of ammonia to finish the cycling job off.

Can't find pure ammonia to cycle with (only cloudy ammonia - which I think is NOT ok to cycle tank). So, I'm waiting, waiting, waiting for the prawns to do their job.

Does anyone have an opinion on whether 3 prawns will be enough to finish the cycle off. Should I add more?

Anyway, thanks for looking :)

[ILLUSN]

3 good sized prawns will be plenty, just let them rot away and once you start measuing high NO3 low NH3 and NO2 your done!

[pink66]

Very nice.. when you have finished would you like to come and do mine :D :)

[TW]

Hi pink66, thanks for the nice comment.
3 good sized prawns will be plenty, just let them rot away and once you start measuing high NO3 low NH3 and NO2 your done!Already added 2 more before I read your post. Don't know if the hike in ammonia is due to the additional prawns, or if it is just part of the process I have to wait through.

Day 1: 21.07.08 Ammonia: 0.25
Day 2: 22.07.08 Ammonia: 1.00

[TW]

Day 1: 21.07.08 Ammonia: 0.25
Day 2: 22.07.08 Ammonia: 1.00
Day 3: 23.07.08 Ammonia 2.00

[scott bowler]

wow TW it looks fantasic , love they way you have set it all up , nice work

[TW]

Another 25% water change.

Day 1: 21.07.08 Ammonia: 0.25
Day 2: 22.07.08 Ammonia: 1.00
Day 3: 23.07.08 Ammonia: 2.00
Day 4: 24.07.08 Ammonia: 2.00

Thanks Scott, appreciate the nice comment.

Anyway, I'd like to discuss my error number ????. Well I lost count - too many now.

I didn't know before about the issues of sand becoming anaerobic when the depth is over 1". I think I am fine along the front border, but I obviously have a problem in the middle section. In that area, the sand is much deeper. Been trying to think of solutions, and here are my choices:-

1. MTS snails to keep the substrate churned up. They may not be enough though, to do the job.

2. Temporarily remove the sand from the deeper area. Replace most of the sand with a thick layer of sand coloured gravel, to within an inch of my desired substrate level. Place sand on top of the gravel, ensure it's only 1 inch thick.

3. Temporarily remove the sand from the deeper area. Have some sort of perspex or glass wedge made that fits in the space, so that it reaches to within an inch of my desired substrate level. Place sand on top of the gravel, ensure it's only 1 inch thick. I think the wedge is more likely to slide around, so might have to fix it to glass bottom in some way. If tank was empty, I'd silicone it. As it's not, I thought of marine cement - but that seems too permanent. At least silicone can be scraped away - but I can't bring myself to empty the tank, shut-off the filters & wait days for the silicone to cure. Marine cement can be put in place while the tank is full of water.

The most attractive option to me is option 1, but I am clueless as to whether or not this would solve the issue. Would the grains of sand simply work there way down through the gravel & I'd eventually back to square one.

Any ideas thoughts, anyone?

[pink66]

I am no expert when it comes to sand, but if you need a solid base under your sand at the rear would a large river stone help?
They can come with flat bottoms and nicely rounded tops.. should be easy to mould sand around it... though unsure if this would solve your prob or not..

I feel your pain in not being able to finish and put fish in and the thought of emptying the tank is horrible :-{

with the prawns in, how often are you doing water changes? I will need to do some too as I now have 3 rather attractive ones sitting in my sump!!!!

[TW]

The most attractive option to me is option 1, but I am clueless as to whether or not this would solve the issue. Would the grains of sand simply work there way down through the gravel & I'd eventually back to square one. Sorry, I meant to say option 2 with gravel bed was the most attractive option to me.

Hi Sharon - I have just replied to your pm.

Because I have ADA in there, it's recommended to do daily 25% water changes, for around the 1st 10 days in the life of a new tank, to avoid algae blooms. I usually haven't bothered to do this in the past with my smaller ADA tanks & I've never had an issue. But just the thought of battling an algae outbreak in a 7ft tank scares me - so I'm following the recommendations of 25% daily as a precaution. I normally don't water change a tank before the cycle finishes, but the ADA, coupled with my high ammonia levels, has made me think I should do the wc this time. I'm not gravel vacing though, just changing the water.

Thanks for the suggestions for the river rocks. I will wait to see what other suggestions & then will decide. I do have some nice flat pieces of granite - but the disadvantage I thought of with the idea of rocks is that none will fit exactly. There will be gaps & the sand in the gaps will be deep. That's why I thought of the silicone wedge or a layer of gravel. But I am a bit lost really.

Thanks, Robyn

[SusieQ]

Hi Robyn... I have a 120 gallon with pool filter sand along with plants and driftwood.. so some areas of sand are definitely deeper than one inch.
I don't have access to the snails but find that whenever I do my vacuming I just use either the python or a chopstick or whatever I have handy to poke and gently stir the substrate a bit and that works fine. Pool filter sand is not as fine as the sand in which some people have had nasty pockets form . If you combo the gravel and sand by layering the sand will filter down . Unless you are going to have an area that you want 4 or 5 inches of mound, I don't think you will have a problem. I have not found issues in any of my tanks with pfs as long as I stir on occassion. HTH Sue

[TW]

I just use either the python or a chopstick or whatever I have handy to poke and gently stir the substrate a bit and that works fine.Such a simple solution - brilliant. That's what I love about this forum. Someone always comes up with info.

Thanks SusieQ :D

[TW]

Another 25% water change.

Day 1: 21.07.08 Ammonia: 0.25
Day 2: 22.07.08 Ammonia: 1.00
Day 3: 23.07.08 Ammonia: 2.00
Day 4: 24.07.08 Ammonia: 2.00
Day 5: 25.07.08 Ammonia: 2.00

[TW]

Day 1: 21.07.08 Ammonia: 0.25
Day 2: 22.07.08 Ammonia: 1.00
Day 3: 23.07.08 Ammonia: 2.00
Day 4: 24.07.08 Ammonia: 2.00
Day 5: 25.07.08 Ammonia: 2.00
Day 9: 29.07.08 Ammonia: 0.25ppm Nitrite: 1.0ppm

[TW]

Day 1: 21.07.08 Ammonia: 0.25
Day 2: 22.07.08 Ammonia: 1.00
Day 3: 23.07.08 Ammonia: 2.00
Day 4: 24.07.08 Ammonia: 2.00
Day 5: 25.07.08 Ammonia: 2.00
Day 9: 29.07.08 Ammonia: 0.25ppm Nitrite: 1.0ppm
Day 10: 30.07.08 Ammonia: 0.00ppm Nitrite: 0.0ppm

[fishgeek]

well done , looks like the seeding did some good then

how the plants doing

[TW]

Hi Andrew

Thanks for the visit. I'd hoped for quicker than 10 days, but I guess all that matters is the end result.

Mostly the plants are doing well. The HC didn't do so wel in terrarium phase. I think too much light. I have 2 x 3ft globes in a 7ft fitting so there is a section where there is a gap in the lighting (though you can't tell visually). Anway, the HC did really well in that spot & died everywhere else. I can only deduce that HC might night high light when fully submerged, but as a land plant, strong light kills it.

Also, having some die off on a few anubia leaves - which is strange. They are usually so tough.

I didn't set up the C02 until around day 4 & only did so then as the blyxia was melting.

A few friends told me I didn't have enough fast growers. So, the "beach" area is covered in terra cotta pots pack full of wisteria. They are only temporary & will be removed gradually over a period of time as the tank settles.
Realised I missed telling giving the tests results for day 6, 7 & 8. Those results are now included below.

Day 1: 21.07.08 Ammonia: 0.25ppm
Day 2: 22.07.08 Ammonia: 1.00ppm
Day 3: 23.07.08 Ammonia: 2.00ppm
Day 4: 24.07.08 Ammonia: 2.00ppm
Day 5: 25.07.08 Ammonia: 2.00ppm
Day 6: 26.07.08 Ammonia: 2.00ppm
Day 7: 27.07.08 Ammonia: 1.00ppm
Day 8: 28.07.08 Ammonia: 0.25ppm
Day 9: 29.07.08 Ammonia: 0.25ppm Nitrite: 1.0ppm
Day 10: 30.07.08 Ammonia: 0.00ppm Nitrite: 0.0ppm

Nitrate tested between 5ppm & 10ppm.

I have added 2 cardinal tetras., 2 harley rasboras & 1 discus to the tank. All from my existing stock.

[Matt15]

Robyn sorry for not posting sooner as your tank on day one looks absolutely awesome. Huge credit to your pathience too, I don't know how you do it. This tanks going to be winning some photo forum awards me thinks.... :D

[marshes]

Impressive. keep us updated.

[TW]

Hi Matt15 & marshes

Thanks for such nice compliments.

I don't think it would win any ompetitions right now, hahaha. I took up the advice of a friend who thought I might strike problems (algae bloom) if I didn't up the temporary fast growers in it's settling in stage. As I mentioned a post or 2 above, I really didn't want to plant all these, or float them (shading issues) so my nice beach area is nearly covered & from the front, you barely see the actual scape :cry:

Here's the comparison

Before TemporaryFast Growers - Day 1
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_0087.jpg
Ignore the willow hygro (middle - left side). The stems uprooted & bunched temselves up. Since re-planted.

After TemporaryFast Growers
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_0097.jpg

Sort of ruins the look :( :oops: :evil: :cry:

Once the tank has been stable for a couple of months, I will start removing them gradually pot by pot.

The old tank sits on a trolley on the floor.

Cheers, Robyn

[Matt15]

lol at the fast growers and the old tank sitting on the trolley. :D

[fishgeek]

any update on how this one is going TW?

[TW]

Hi fishgeek, thanks for popping in :D

Well, the HC was a dismal failure & whenever I try to plant more, my cories just dig it up. Seems a lost cause.

I'm open for other suggestions on what to use now as a foreground plant, as I don't think I want to waste any more cash on hc. I might go with dwarf chain sword. Or maybe lots of annubia nana. The blyxia japonica didn't seem to like the temp of a discus tank. It does well in my apisto tank, but is struggling in this tank. It's likely to go.

Seems no point taking more pics at this stage, as the pots of slow growers are still in there. I have started thinning them out gradually, but they spoil they look.

Re: the riccia rocks, I am starting to think that I may not keep up with them. I am getting used to the look of the rocks that I haven't covered & it will be much less work without them. Considering moss instead, but wonder if moss may escape onto the sand & be impossible to control Still thinking about that. I will stick with riccia in the apisto tank, as there are only a few riccia rocks there, so the haircuts don't take up so much time.

Any suggestions on either alternative foreground plants appreciated. I don't really want to go with either glosso or hc for the time being.

Thanks for looking :D

[TW]

I think my wild royal blue has coloured up a bit more, since moving into this tank.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_0490080830_wrb1.jpg
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_0495080830_wrb2.jpg
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_0496080830_wrb3.jpg

[TW]

Time for an update.

I regret now that this tank isn't full sand. Amazed at how different the discus look when over the sand, as to how they look when over the planted area. Will keep thinking about it for a bit longer, but may eventually pull everything up, or maybe lower the soil section & add a top layer of sand. Anyway, pi tures follow:-

Right Side
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_0716.jpg

Left side Should have tidied the little soil overspill onto sand - lazy !!!
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_0719.jpg

middle
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_0718.jpg

full - hmmm. must trim the willow hygro
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_0717.jpg

I'm still working on the moss rock border. Work in progress

[fishgeek]

looks lush

plants are growing in well and the discus obviously like the security of the plants

why do you say you want all sand?

[TW]

Hi fishgeek, thanks for popping in :)

The discus were sulking in that spot, as during tank maintenance (just prior to the pics) that was the only area where I wasn't poking & prodding. Now that time has passed since then, they are all over the tank - which is their more typical behaviour

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_0721.jpg

As to why I want all sand,

The fish immediately above the rose red is a wild brown. See how dull he looks & not only him, all the wilds look dull.
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_0722.jpg

The same fish above all sand, before I moved him to this tank
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/79G_298L_Discus%20Tank/000_0652.jpg

In the 7ft, I see this just watching them. The fish with brownish tones in them (WRB, WB , heckel & alenquer) all appear dull over the planted sections. When they swim into the open sand, they brighten up.

I'm waiting to see if I get the same effect if I can get a more solid green coverage over the substrate, but I just want to see these fish in their best dressed colours.

The other alternative is to move all the wilds to the 4ft, which will be sand, but as they're my favourite, I'd like to give them the biggest tank.

Dilemma

[rwel4809]

I have noticed exactly the same thing with one of my snakeskins.. She goes a bit dark around the planted section but positively glows over the gravel... I was worried she was sick for a while until I noticed she was just trying to hide.... Lucky I didn't panic and medicate...

Still I think this is just another of the interesting behaviours for us 'tank watchers' to observe :D

I'd leave the wilds in the 7' if I were you... I'm sure they're really happy in there....

R

[fishgeek]

seems to me that it is just trying to blend in with the surroundings

in my mind i would think fish that can choose to be seen or hide will be more secure in the tank , so the hiding places amongst the plants are a good thing for them if not so great as showing them off

andrew

[TW]

The plants wouldn't go permanently.

I would remove the plants, lower the current soil level (or replace it with something like JBL aquabasis - not sure how ADA would go if buried under sand) and then add a couple of inches thick layer of sand. Then replant.

Not looking forward to the work or to unsettling everything, so I will wait a little longer. I hope that when plants grow enough that, eventually, you cannot see any substrate but only the plants, maybe the effect won't be so bad.

There are places where it is planted, but still very open (eg where the cypts are). If they swim in the open water above the crypts, their colour is dull brown. Over the sand, they brighten. I am probably wrong, but it doesn't seem like they change colour only if hiding (although I'm sure they defenitely do that as well). They seem to simply just change in accordance with the particular spot they are swimming above at the time.

For the moment, I still can't decide what to do.

[pink66]

Hi TW, I do not have wilds but as my tank has planted (with gravel) sides and a sand open middle I agree that depending on where the fishies are hanging out to what colour they are showing.. My LSS goes from a bright light colour with the red spots shining to a dark (almost purple) with a yellow face depending on where he is in the tank.. When I first saw it I had to take a deep breath as I thought he may be sick.. But he must be fine.... him and my PB have spawned twice in the community tank :wink: :wink: :wink:

Little one (seems to be a brown with developing red and blue on the fins) fades away to almost no colour when she is in the gravel area..(sometimes it takes me a while to find her :lol: :lol: ) but her colours are bright and vibrant over the sand (well what ones she has at the moment)

It is indeed a dilemma.. to totally sand or not to totally sand.. plants or not, the tank disturbance is the question. :? :? :?

[TW]

It has been a while, so I thought it was time for a pic of what the tank looks like today

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_0793.jpg

[pink66]

hi TW.. it is coming along very nicely indeed

[TW]

Not much has changed, but it's time for a few new pics. Sorry, they're blurry :oops: I still have some wild browns & blue in this tank, but they'll be moving out soon to join some other browns in the 4ft tank.

Full Frontal
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_0983.jpg

Though there's plenty of room for the discus to swim behind the rear plants & driftwood, they're always out & about where I can see them.

It's been a while since my last post, but not a lot has changed. I prefer to keep things stable & not disturb the discus too much, so I don't tend to re-scape very much. I thinned out my Cyperus helferi, as it was blocking out most of the wood on the left hand side. I trimmed the top of the c.helferi (love this plant, as you don't need to pull it out & cut from the bottom. Just trim the tops when needed). After the trimming, it was still too thick. The plant had multiplied and I have about 5 spare I'll be trying to sell, when I get around to it.

Left Side
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_0984.jpg
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_0985.jpg

Middle
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_0987.jpg

Right Side
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_0988.jpg

On the right hand side, the Blyxa japonica is far too overgrown. But I'll deal with that after I sell the Cyperus helferi.

There's also a tall growing crypt in the foreground of the right hand side. Something else I have to deal with. It must have been a hitchhiker & when I stop being lazy, I'll replant it toward the back of the tank, 'cause I know it doesn't belong in the front.

Anyway, enough for now. Hope you like it :)

[SusieQ]

Hi Robyn... Looking good :D .. I an amazed that the substrates haven't mixed much... congrats.. Is this the tank the new guys are gonna have?? You really should haveno problems transporting them in the bucket/cooler setup with the trashbag and towels.. I've had a lot of folks besides myself do it that way for quite a few hours with no issues. I just always have the battery air pump handy incase I don't know.. the car breaks down or something... never happened to me.. but if I didn't bring it along you know sure as can be :lol: :lol: .. Anyways... the tank looks great. Sue :D

[Matt15]

Robyn your tank is looking fantastic..... you should be very pleased with yourself. Its everything a discus fan craves to have. I'm inspired to take a few photos of my own tank now but unfortunately doesn't look near as good.

[swampy1972]

How does it look now TW? Would love to see the completed setup..

[TW]

Hi Suzie - the substrates haven't mixed due to the retaining wall that is siliconed to the tank floor. This helps keep things where they should be :)

Matt, come on, I've seen your tanks before - very nice. Please share again soon

Swampy, not much changes in my tank. I moved that tall crypt that I mentioned in an earlier post from the tank front to the rear. But, it really has to go. It's far too big for the tank. Its the plant that you can see overshadowing on the right hand side. These pictures were taken tonight

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_1293.jpg

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_1294.jpg

:oops: Pls ignore the extra filter & the table with empty tank. I'm in the processing of preparing a tank & cycling a filter - so that's why they're there :oops:

[Noddy65]

Hi Robyn
That 'tall crypt' looks more like and Aponogeton to me...do NOT get rid of it yet...

Can you take a closer pic of it?

Mike

[jluna]

i second the aponogeton call - vigorous grower? bulb under the substrate?

robyn, the tank looks great! i've just set up a third tank at home and am waiting for some apistos to come through from b and c.

merry xmas, have a safe and fun summer.

justin

[TW]

What are you getting from B&C

Re: the cyrpt / aponogeton - it was a freebie that must have hitch hiked into the tank unknown to me. I had a feeling it was a crypt, starting with U. It's underside leaf is pink

Undulata or something. Will look later on tropica to find the name I'm looking for. Will try to get a close up picture of it on the forum soon for identification.

It's too big for my tank, unless someone can tell me a way to trim it (without uprooting). It's not the sort of plant that you can just trim the top. I was thinking that I just cut the stems as close to to the bottom as I can & that new leaves might sprout?

What do you plant gurus think?

[ILLUSN]

if you ever want to move it on concider it sold i've got a 2.5 foot tall planted tank it would look great in

[swampy1972]

Your tank's beautiful TW! You should be very proud.
I'll have to get your advice as I go throught the process with my new tank in the coming weeks.