90 Gallon S.A. Discus/Pleco Tank Journal

[myjohnson]

hmmmm, I'm always drinking when I'm on the box.

Didn't mean to offend you or anything. It was just IMHO.

You can still go for the whole "riverbed - bank - treeline" effect and still have the tank better balanced.

When scaping any type of tank you want to follow the "golden rule." In shot its a focal point that draw the viewer's gaze. To achieve this you need to set up a focus point.

It is the point that draws the gaze of the viewer first, from which they can explore the rest of the tank. Normally there is only one in a tank and it's something that stands out like the big tree trunk you got. The golden ratio is 1:1.6. Which is a little left or right of center.

This ratio is not only for scaping but was actually developed by the ancient geeks when they were creating the nude statues, among other their art works.

[jeebus]

Not offended. Once everything grows in it should balance itself - keyword being should.

[Complexity]

Still on the fence about the lights. I want to leave the Actinic because of what it does for the blue luminescence of the Discus. I might pick up another 10k and a 6.7k to replace the two 12k's I've got now. I think that will brighten the tank more and push some more beneficial light into the tank.

Since you're going with plants, you need to get lights for plants. What our eyes see is not necessarily what the plants need.

I am interested in dry ferts - they just seem a little more intimidating.

I can help you get started, if you want. It's actually not intimidating once you do it. Here's basically what's involved.

Get a measuring spoon.
Dip spoon in the dry ferts.
Pull out spoon with ferts.
Dump ferts in tank.
Done.

That's it. All that's needed is to know which size measuring spoon and which dry ferts, but there are standardized charts for that. It's truly as easy as putting sugar in coffee.

[myjohnson]

Not offended. Once everything grows in it should balance itself - keyword being should.

Jack up that CO2 and dump some ferts in there and those plants are going to take off!

[myjohnson]

I am interested in dry ferts - they just seem a little more intimidating. Right now buying the liquid ferts from HAW is not only easy but it makes me feel better that I'm supporting a local mom & pop.

Yeah dude, I used dry ferts and it worked really good for me. There is a chart somewhere that tells you want day you need to use which. I'll post a link if you don't have one already and assuming I find it. My planted tanks days are long over.

[jeebus]

Since you're going with plants, you need to get lights for plants. What our eyes see is not necessarily what the plants need.

Well, technically the plants are secondary to the Discus. They are the reason for the tank. We just added plants to enhance their tankscape.

As for the dry ferts you do make it sound easy, but for now I'm just gonna keep giving HAW my money!

[jeebus]

Jack up that CO2 and dump some ferts in there and those plants are going to take off!

Slow down Kemosabe! we're not trying to grow hydro in the closet! lol..

[mgarrido]

Well, technically the plants are secondary to the Discus. They are the reason for the tank. We just added plants to enhance their tankscape.

As for the dry ferts you do make it sound easy, but for now I'm just gonna keep giving HAW my money!

If you want i can take your money ... j/k

[myjohnson]

dude, the plants can do so much for your discus!

If set up right water conditions in a PT can be cleaner than a tank with just Discus.

Let me dig for that dry ferts link.

CO2 is the only thing that can really hurt the fishes. Reefkeeper is making a new controller for PT so you might want to look into that.

-mj

[mgarrido]

Glen, are you using a log or journal of what you are doing with your tank? use this program http://www.joejaworski.com/aqualog/, really simple to use.

[myjohnson]

Sorry, can't find the link but found the info saved on my computer.

for your tank:

60~80gal
50% H20 change-weekly
3/4 Tsp-KN03 3x a week
3/16 Tsp-KH2P04 3x a week
1 Tsp-GH booster once a week
15ml 3/16Tsp-Trace 3x a week
Optional
4-8ml-Fe/Iron 3x a week

Places to buy ferts:

http://www.pfertz.com/

http://www.aquariumfertilizer.com/

http://www.bestaquariumregulator.com/

http://www.greenleafaquariums.com/aq...ertilizer.html

[Complexity]

dude, the plants can do so much for your discus!

If set up right water conditions in a PT can be cleaner than a tank with just Discus.

CO2 is the only thing that can really hurt the fishes. Reefkeeper is making a new controller for PT so you might want to look into that.

Agree again. It's especially important to watch for the end of tank dump. That's where the controller can be worth its weight in gold.

[myjohnson]

Agree again. It's especially important to watch for the end of tank dump. That's where the controller can be worth its weight in gold.

Yupers, I lost some very expensive apistos for this very reason!

[Complexity]

I also like using a fertilizer dispenser for trace ferts.

http://www.greenleafaquariums.com/aquarium-fertilizers-supplements/dispenser-16oz.html

[myjohnson]

I needs to stop looking at these planted tank threads before I fall back in!