160g Discus Journal

[nikkijean1]

i have seen some ugly planted tanks recenetly...but the one posted above is awesome, i think it has to be done right and kept up very well or it can be a disaster....i wish we had the time and knowledge to do something like that but for now its not something i think we will try yet

[Darbex]

Yeah I wouldnt do planted with juvie discus only with adults

[wesleydnunder]

Yeah I wouldnt do planted with juvie discus only with adults

+1

Mark

[Mzungu]

Can I ask why? Is it because juvenile discus need tons of food and water changes, and a bare bottom is easier? Or is it something like baby discus enjoy eating plants?

[Darbex]

The first. The amount of WC and everything makes it much easier in BB tank. Not to say its impossible the other way just way simpler.

[wesleydnunder]

The first. The amount of WC and everything makes it much easier in BB tank. Not to say its impossible the other way just way simpler.

Yup, bb is much easier to keep clean. Also, when juvies start working out their pecking order, the dominant fish will try to chase the others away from food. Plants provide a convenient hiding place. Often, subordinate fish will hide in the plants from the dominant fish at feeding time and wind up stunted. In bb set ups the food is often scattered much more widely across the bottom and with virtually no hiding places, subordinant fish seem to show more bravado in going after food.

As Brian stated, planted and juvies are doable, just much, much easier in a bb.

Mark

[Mzungu]

Gotcha. Thanks, guys. :) I figured that was it, but it never hurts to ask, and plus, I learned something!

[FrontosaurusRex]

Its almost to the end of the month so I decided to update the journal a little bit. I've been doing 75% water changes every single day and power feeding the he11 out of these guys with Spirulina Brine Shrimp, NLS Grow, Carnivore Diet (frozen cubes full of brine, mysis, krill, spinach, etc) and bloodworms for a small treat. They are starting to show some really nice coloration and so far they have all survived. (knock on wood)

We added about 40 rummy nose tetras to the mix and I donated my Tiger Pleco to her tank. We've lost about 10 Tetras but the rest of them seem hardy and healthy. My wife is at work with the camera but as soon as she gets home i'll post a few pics.

[Darbex]

Yeah I have noticed that you should always get about 10 more tetras than you wanted because that many will die.

[FrontosaurusRex]

wife left the camera at work, pictures tomorrow.....women.....

[myjohnson]

you and your brother.

[nikkijean1]

fyi...he has the camera today....so he cannot blame anything on me :)

[nikkijean1]

actually, i think i may have the memory stick...darn it!!! lol

[myjohnson]

Ok, quit stallin!

Both y'all need to post some pictures!

[FrontosaurusRex]

I'll post em tomorrow night for sure. I went ahead and set up the 75g the same way I plan on setting up the 160g so that everyone has a general idea of what the tank will look like. I'm not sold on the background color, I have a few other ideas i'd like to play around with before i paint the 160g so the 75g might go through a few different cosmetic changes. Anyway, I'll post some pics tomorrow night.