Re-arranged Tank

[pastry]

Well, decided to re-arrange tank to something closer to just hardscape but with some plants that were attached to wood/rocks (not really any plants in the substrate). Got rid of my last huge sword. Loved it but it just trapped way too much crud. Dealing with mostly java fern and assorted anubias yet with a few bronze swords and a few tiger lilies. Right now most of the rocks are only there to keep wood down until fully water logged.

At this time, I have 5 discus (lost my favorite piwow female but still have the male and one more piwow female), 2 VR males, and 1 that I just can't get rid of (giving it to my wife soon for her classroom tank). Getting a few new discus this coming month :)

Also have the two c. America gobies, two banjos catfish, 1 bristlenose, 6 lemon tetras, a pair of checkerboard cichlids, 5 amano shrimp, and 10 blueberry shrimp. The male piwow didn't waste too much time and just spawned with the remaining female tonight. Didn't see that coming. Guess they like the new arrangement.

Alright, so here are a few pics. definitely different from what I used to have but trying to keep a planted tank yet slowly improve layout so to cut down on crap getting trapped. Again, rocks are temporary for the most part. May leave some in.

Old Layout

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz81/eldog380/16Aug2013006.jpg (http://s816.photobucket.com/user/eldog380/media/16Aug2013006.jpg.html)

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz81/eldog380/16Aug2013001.jpg (http://s816.photobucket.com/user/eldog380/media/16Aug2013001.jpg.html)

New Layout

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz81/eldog380/20160124_212131.jpg (http://s816.photobucket.com/user/eldog380/media/20160124_212131.jpg.html)

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz81/eldog380/20160124_164931.jpg (http://s816.photobucket.com/user/eldog380/media/20160124_164931.jpg.html)

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz81/eldog380/20160123_223818.jpg (http://s816.photobucket.com/user/eldog380/media/20160123_223818.jpg.html)

[Filip Zebec]

excellent new layout

[Filip]

I congratulate the step further that you took in keeping discus in healthier and cleaner enviroment Elliot . And i can relate personaly ,thats a hard step to take for a plant lover :) .
i would say honestly and straightforward that your previous set up was much more eye appealing to me , but since our discus comes first to us here , i like and understand what you did with this new setup .

[Kal-El]

Awesome. I really like the new look better.

[discuspaul]

I congratulate the step further that you took in keeping discus in healthier and cleaner enviroment Elliot . And i can relate personaly ,thats a hard step to take for a plant lover :) .
i would say honestly and straightforward that your previous set up was much more eye appealing to me , but since our discus comes first to us here , i like and understand what you did with this new setup .

Very nicely said - certainly agree with that.

[Tshethar]

+1. And sounds like your Piwows agree...

[pastry]

Thanks Filip Z, Filip, Kal-el, Paul, and Bill! Still a work in progress but getting there. Began the next step towards a brown-based red tank and received two BEAUTIFUL rose reds from Carolina Discus today. Eric did me VERY well. He had a batch of RRs from Kenny/Forrest and grew them yet allowed me to snag two. I'll start a new thread in the "our tank journals" section to show them off. Have a few pics I'll post there but they truly don't show how awesome they are just yet due to taking the pics right after they were put in + my hasty pic taking.

I will be phasing out some of the old ones as I add on through this year. Striving for nearly all brown based reds with one or two striated accent discus (imitating royals/semi-royas). No more than 8 or 9 total when complete. I usually use Kenny and Eric. I have a 26 gallon set aside in case I want to dabble with any pairs or need QT. Did not use QT for latest fish but that's at my own risk.

[Phillydubs]

Elliot...

Can you post an updated stock/strain list... You have some really striking stuff in there...!