90G Stendker Tank

[cjvdhx]

Figured I'd start one these up so everyone can follow the progression. I've decided to tear down my 65 gallon planted tank and start fresh with far less plants and just make it about the discus and not so much plants.

http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac233/cjvdhx/IMG_0436_zpsiterjurn.jpg (http://s903.photobucket.com/user/cjvdhx/media/IMG_0436_zpsiterjurn.jpg.html)

http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/ac233/cjvdhx/IMG_0438_zpsq8vqgwla.jpg (http://s903.photobucket.com/user/cjvdhx/media/IMG_0438_zpsq8vqgwla.jpg.html)

[cjvdhx]

I am going to "seed" the new filter hopefully this coming weekend and move the discus. I really want them in the new tank but at the same time I am dreading it because I know there going to "freak out" does anyone have any good tips for moving them? There new home is only 20 feet across the room LOL

[Ryan925]

I was really scared to move mine when I did my substrate change but turned out to be no but deal. Remember when you net them don't chase them try and "trap" them

Are you transferring media or are you going to run new and established filter simultaneously?.

[cjvdhx]

I was really scared to move mine when I did my substrate change but turned out to be no but deal. Remember when you net them don't chase them try and "trap" them

Are you transferring media or are you going to run new and established filter simultaneously?.
I like to run both but I think if I do that the discus will be churning in a tornado for awhile LOL the fx4 is plenty of filter for this tank. I think I'm going to just transfer as much matrix as I can do a large water change and call it good. I'll be doing daily water changes probably anyways so if there's a little nitrite or ammonia spike that's nothing a little prime can't handle right? I'm also going to try and remove all the driftwood and as many plants as I can before trying to net them that way there not banging against the driftwood while I try and catch them. Also what would be a good method as far as moving them just net them one by one over into the new tank? GH, KH, and PH should be very similiar between the two tanks. I will however double check before I start. Also should I try and use as much of the old water as I can? Or doesn't that matter?

[bluelagoon]

I try never to net my discus.Instead drain the water until there is only a few inches left,then pick them up in the palm of your hand.I find this method less stressful than netting.You can transfer them to a bowl one by one and put them right in the new tank.I would not put the old dirty/depleted water in the new tank.There is nothing in it but waste.

[cjvdhx]

I try never to net my discus.Instead drain the water until there is only a few inches left,then pick them up in the palm of your hand.I find this method less stressful than netting.You can transfer them to a bowl one by one and put them right in the new tank.I would not put the old dirty/depleted water in the new tank.There is nothing in it but waste.
Ok cool thanks for the response! So don't re use any old tank water into the new aquarium. I do like your suggestion about not netting them however this method won't work for me because my discus are in a community setup with other fish. It's a really good idea though! I am going to try and take Ryan's advice and not chase them around the tank but try and trap them. Also do you think once I seed the new filter with old matrix and do a massive water change it will be good to move them?

[Ryan925]

Ok cool thanks for the response! So don't re use any old tank water into the new aquarium. I do like your suggestion about not netting them however this method won't work for me because my discus are in a community setup with other fish. It's a really good idea though! I am going to try and take Ryan's advice and not chase them around the tank but try and trap them. Also do you think once I seed the new filter with old matrix and do a massive water change it will be good to move them?

Are you planning on leaving some fish in the other tank so can't move all of your media?

If so I would test levels and wc daily while new media establishes. I also have had good results with seachem stability helping out the process

[ColdPeg]

Just thought I'd share....A few months back I started a 90 gal( February ) for my shipment of Stendkers, started the tank with Stability and stocked a dozen 4 inch in the tank 7 days later no issues. I know some claim it can't be done but it works, do it all the time.

[cjvdhx]

Are you planning on leaving some fish in the other tank so can't move all of your media?

If so I would test levels and wc daily while new media establishes. I also have had good results with seachem stability helping out the process
All fish are being moved and old tank is being tore down.


Just thought I'd share....A few months back I started a 90 gal( February ) for my shipment of Stendkers, started the tank with Stability and stocked a dozen 4 inch in the tank 7 days later no issues. I now some claim it can't be done but it works, do it all the time.
Great minds think alike! I'm on day 5 dosing stability and I used ammonia to bring it 2ppm. I plan to do this weekend.

[Ryan925]

All fish are being moved and old tank is being tore down.


Great minds think alike! I'm on day 5 dosing stability and I used ammonia to bring it 2ppm. I plan to do this weekend.

I'm guessing if the water is ok in the current tank then it should be fine in new tank if you are adding all of your cycled media along with the new

[cjvdhx]

Are you planning on leaving some fish in the other tank so can't move all of your media?

If so I would test levels and wc daily while new media establishes. I also have had good results with seachem stability helping out the process


I'm guessing if the water is ok in the current tank then it should be fine in new tank if you are adding all of your cycled media along with the new
Yes going to add all matrix I can fit. Should I do tonight or tomorrow or is it okay to move the seeded media into the new canister the same day I move the fishes?

[cjvdhx]

Ok well the kids are getting moved Saturday I seeded the new canister with a ton of matrix tank was able to eat well over 2ppm of ammonia in a little over 24 hours. Nitrates are around 80 LOL big water change.

[Ryan925]

Ok well the kids are getting moved Saturday I seeded the new canister with a ton of matrix tank was able to eat well over 2ppm of ammonia in a little over 24 hours. Nitrates are around 80 LOL big water change.

Probably more than one. Try to get those nitrates to 10

[cjvdhx]

Probably more than one. Try to get those nitrates to 10
Comes out of my tap around 5-10ppm I was going to just do like a 90% water change should be enough right? Also my fx4 creates a good bit of surface agitation however should I be still running a air stone or small sponge filter?

[Ryan925]

Comes out of my tap around 5-10ppm I was going to just do like a 90% water change should be enough right? Also my fx4 creates a good bit of surface agitation however should I be still running a air stone or small sponge filter?

That sucks definitely watch your nitrates then. I would say if you have plenty of surface agitation you should be ok. I run an airstone but only because it's there.

[cjvdhx]

That sucks definitely watch your nitrates then. I would say if you have plenty of surface agitation you should be ok. I run an airstone but only because it's there.
Yeah it sucks but it's just something I learn to adapt too and I'm sure the fish do too. I never let it get about 40ppm which should be safe. Thanks again for all the help. I'll post back when there moved.

[Ryan925]

Yeah it sucks but it's just something I learn to adapt too and I'm sure the fish do too. I never let it get about 40ppm which should be safe. Thanks again for all the help. I'll post back when there moved.

Just always keep in mind the lower the better for discus. Although many fish can handle 40 ppm of nitrate with no problem I believe standard recommendation for discus is 20 and under and obviously the lower the better. Maybe someone I else can chime in on that

Your fish are small and at the most important growth stage so whatever you can do to ensure you will get the best growth will pay off down the road

[cjvdhx]

Just always keep in mind the lower the better for discus. Although many fish can handle 40 ppm of nitrate with no problem I believe standard recommendation for discus is 20 and under and obviously the lower the better. Maybe someone I else can chime in on that

Your fish are small and at the most important growth stage so whatever you can do to ensure you will get the best growth will pay off down the roadthanks Ryan

[cjvdhx]

Finally got all the fish moved into there new home minus one Flachen SS who is sick and hasn't eaten in over 12 days or so. Everything went great and I am loving the new tank! Going to just keep everything real simple.

https://preview.ibb.co/ju6vkk/IMG_0472.jpg (https://ibb.co/e9bHy5)
https://preview.ibb.co/gDqzBQ/IMG_0466.jpg (https://ibb.co/i1rT5k)
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