setting up new discus tank (long)

[plunc]

Hello people,
First time poster, here. Have been lurking and reading the archives a while now, and thought id try to get some feedback on my new discus project.
Recently purchased a 55 gallon double stand, and a 40 long tank for the bottom rack. My initial plan is to use the 40 to hold, heat, and peat-treat the water for changes on the 55. A submersible pump will be placed in the 40 for convenience in pumping water into the 55.
Am sitting on the fence as far as substrate. A dusting of sand might not be so difficlt to clean, but i also put a piece of flat black polystyrene on the bottom. Not too terrible looking either. The tank has a 1/32" piece of flat black acrylic over the back inside wall of the tank. Really like the way it looks. Have a few larger driftwood pieces to go in as well.
At my disposal, are 1 fluval 404, i magnum 350, 1 AC500, and a couple of powerheads with sponge attachments. Initial plan was to go with 404, running no sponges inside with only ceramic rings for media, and a homemade spray bar return, alongside an AC500 with 2 sponges (both with intake sponges). Biggest concern i have here is the current produced by the AC500. Any ideas on how to disperse current, while maintaining water flow on this filter? Im looking for easiest and lowest maintenance filtration possible.
Water changes i figure to be 10 gallons(via python) most days, 15 some, and may miss a day at times. 50% change once a week. Looking to start with 6 - 8 small discus, with hopes of keeping 4-5 medium to full grown. If im lucky enough to get a pair, they move to the forty down below.
No intention of using RO water, or altering chemistry, other than putting a bag of peat in the holding tank.(really i just love the way a peat stained tank looks, more than anything). rena cal 300 watt heater to be used.
Does anyone see a problem or defficiency with the above setup? Anything else that would be easier to maintain? Or more effective?
Thanks to anyone who read this long ramble, and, i would be appreciative of any feedback and suggestions anyone might have for my first attempt at discus keeping.
Thanks again
Plunc

[April]

hi sounds good to me. but.. one thing. if you get pigeon based discus and you have that black background they will show alot of pepper. (black speckling) so might want to choose barred ones. maybe blues or something that will show nicely on the black. or change to blue background or lighter.
the 500 should be ok. the magnum can be good as a polisher to run every now and then. a hydro sponge is good to have running also in the tank as their good to move if you ever needed a hospital tank or something. or starting a new tank. not sure the fluval is needed. id say just the aq 500 should do.
whats the ph of your water out of the tap? with stored water you should be able to keep things quite stable.
the more wc;s you can do the better growth but sounds like you may be ok especially with one bigger on once a week.
let us know what you get and we;d love to see a pic.
got any idea where you will get your fish from?

[plunc]

Hi april,
and thanks for your input. My tap ph seems to be 7.6 ish, out of my current 55 setup, (404 and the 500, 10- 1yr old firemouth babies), the water tests around 7.2.
As for type of discus, i really like the more natural colored discus, plain old brown discus, Alenquer(sp?), all of the wild discus. Some of the hybrid colors are definitely neat though. Last year i visited Jeff's Discus in chicago heights i believe, and he had a neat setup, and thats where i guess ill go when im ready to buy. Hopefully in the next 4 weeks.
thanks again,
plunc

[RandalB]

Plunc,
Where you from?


RandalB

[plunc]

RandlB,
im in chicago

[JeffreyRichard]

Your proposed setup certainly works. From appearence perspective, a 40 gallon tank is better looking than a trash barrel, but I'd lean toward using a trash barrel as a Reservoir ... cheaper and can use the tank for other things.

If you really want a LOW maintenence filter, set up a wet/dry filter with plants, such as water lettuce, water hyicinths, or other nitrate consuming plants in the sump.

I think you can cut back on your water changes to 25-30% every 3-4 days

Jeff

[plunc]

Hi Jeffery
And thank you for your suggestions.
I know @ some point i will have a different use for the 40, but for now, it'll be storage. If i do manage to get a pair to form, then i figure to put them in the 40.
You mentioned a wet dry, and i currently have a 75g with the built in overflow, running on a tidepool 2(not quite sure id by this filter again). the filter itself is definitely low maintenance, but my concern was that all the aeration would drive my ph way up. The few times ive tested this tank, its 8.0-8.2 ish. I run a mag 7 on this setup, and the current is real strong, so maybe slowing the flow down might reduce agitation? Currently looking for deal on a 125 or +, wich will allow me to free up this 75g tank. Housed my pair of tiger oscars in this tank. Just recently lost the female, the male is about 13 1/2" and about 8 yrs old. So 1 discus tank is soon to become 3 discus tanks, and i havent even purchased a single discus yet. (sad, i know).
Im assuming the plants you mentioned would require a lighting setup over the sump? this sounds interesting, do you run such a setup? and if not, why not?
Thanks again,
plunc