My Planted Discus Tank … Index on 1st post of page 1 (56K!)

[jt20194]

Warning 56K - Use F5 key if all pictures don't load the first time.

P1 – Intro
P2 – Pictures and description of the automatic water changer, AquaController, X10 computer interface, UV, dosing system and filter system
P2 – Macro shots of aquatic flowers
P3 – Description of the water drain approach and dosing system
P3 – Macro shots of Cardinal and Wavy Sword plant flower
P4 – Description of RO/DI and blending of water source
P4 – Macro pictures of Serpae Tetra, aquatic flower of Pigmy Sword Plant and picture of Heckel
P5 – Description of my Heckels
P? - Coming updates of improved Auto Water Change system

Just joined the forum and have been reading a number of post. First, this is great place to learn about planted aquariums. Second, everything that I have read makes me believe it’s a very helpful and civil group… After reading the various post, I decided that I would post my experience with my Tenecor which is really a Marine tank that I am using for a planted discus tank. I setup the tank September 16, 2006. I wish that I had joined this forum before putting together my supplies and assembling everything. I would have definitely made some adjustments in my choices (especially substrate). I have made some changes and had a bout with BGA that came with the tank. The tank was used and I was clueless about BGA and realized that I was loosing the battle and my plants were not doing very well.

I will detail the setup later but thought that I would attached pictures of my first attempt at a planted discus aquarium. After viewing many of the other tanks, I will be making a number of adjustments and welcome any advise in so far as aquascaping (new word?).

The first picture is a week after the initial setup. You can see the beginning of the BGA and that the plants are not doing very well. Within a few days after this picture, it started taking over the aquarium. The other pictures were taken more recently after I eradicated the BGA.



The tank as of Oct 17th

Some close ups

















In my next post, I'll go over what I did to get control of the BGA and the components in this setup.

[Dave_Discus]

What' up with all the floating plants? What kind of tetra's are those in there?

[jt20194]

Originally Posted by Dave_Discus

What' up with all the floating plants? What kind of tetra's are those in there?

The floating plants are growing out of control! They’re Phyllanthus fluitans that were included with the shipment I got from Aquarium plants, and aquascape plant packages. I’ll be taking them out. The tetras are:

Serpae Tetra
Bloodfin Tetra
Neon Tetras
Black Neon Tetras
Orange Von Rio Flame Tetras

[Dave_Discus]

Im a Discus guy more so than plants. Read up on them Discus.

[jt20194]

I move the pics so that there is no bandwidth limit

[jt20194]

Does anyone know the type of tetra this is?

[LoJack]

looking good!

[epicfish]

Definately looking good. Do you have specs on your tank? Gallons, lighting, dosing methods....etc.

[jt20194]

I'll get more info out later today. Basicly 100Gal 4'x2'x2' Teneview Tenecor tank. Lights: Tek 6 bulb 48" with 3 Giesemann Midday and 3 Giesemann AquaBlue, CO2, dosing, RO/DI mixed with filtered water cycles automatically everyday with 40% water change. I'll fill in more later and thanks for the kind words.

[tha_beeg]

Originally Posted by jt20194

Does anyone know the type of tetra this is?

orange von rio flame tetras

[TheOtherGeoff]

do i spy a wild blue...possibly brown discus in therer?

[deadmonkey]

Very pretty tank. Discus's are so sexy.
I had a very pretty Discus Alas I got a steal on one at the local pet store for $35. My heart broke when he died due to an algae bloom.

[jt20194]

Originally Posted by tha_beeg

orange von rio flame tetras

Thanks tha_beeg... They’re funny little tetras… they seam to think they are twice their size and are fearless.

[jt20194]

Originally Posted by TheOtherGeoff

do i spy a wild blue...possibly brown discus in therer?

There is one wild discus in the tank. I believe that it is a brown. The LFS did not know the type but knew it was a wild discus. He had two but the bigger of the two died shortly after receiving them. After speaking with the LFS, I took a chance picking this one up since he had already survived a month and appeared to have acclimated to dry and frozen food. I have had him/her for about 6 months now. The other discus I have had for about a year. The tank was not previously setup as a planted tank and just looked like your typical breeding tank. I decided that I could not deal with that sterile look any more since I had already successfully bred discus back in 1994. I love the wild discus and want to find some more. I see you have some Heckel Discus. Your tank is beautiful!!! The smaller discus are recent additions again from a LFS.

[TheOtherGeoff]

yes i do have two heckels. i am also on the quest for more wild discus, i want some browns. and after this most recent picture, i would definitly say thats a brown. thanks for the tank compliment, it is less then desired in its current state of being but its ok never the less. i hope to bump the lighting on it more and blance out the problem that way.