My 72 gallon bowfront

[digthemlows]

Got some new guys and my tank feels complete! I QTed them for 4 days and they were so active and healthy that I just couldn't help but put them in my main tank. Their tail fins were a little ragged and are getting better by the day.......I don't know if it was stress or what? Without further delay.........here ya go!

http://starboardbough.com/tmp/1.31.08.fulltank.jpg

Everybody beggin for food!
http://starboardbough.com/tmp/1.30.08.beggin4food.jpg

My three new adults.........happy, healthy, and eating well!
http://starboardbough.com/tmp/newlss4.jpg

http://starboardbough.com/tmp/newlss1.jpg

http://starboardbough.com/tmp/newlss5.jpg

http://starboardbough.com/tmp/newblue1.jpg

one of my clean-up crew
http://starboardbough.com/tmp/corycat1.jpg

[aquagal]

great looking tank!

What's your substrate?

[digthemlows]

1" of flourite under silica sand. No ferts, No CO2. Coralife 2x65watt 10K.

[aquagal]

Is it just Home Depot play sand?

[digthemlows]

It's the sandblasting sand. Monterey Sand I think it was called.

[aquagal]

did you get it at Home Depot?

[digthemlows]

No, but I've seen it there. I got it at my lfs.

[aquagal]

thanks!

[kitfoxdrvr]

Those beauties have to love their new digs! That is a great discus setup. The julii cories are a great companion, and it looks like you have a green thumb with the plants as well!

Your selections look like they will be able to handle the heat and your light levels and low ferts will help restrain the growth of those swords in the back right, tho you must be making them very happy based on the bloom spikes coming out of them! I had a bleheri in the back of my 180 several years ago that took over half the tank!

What kind of sword is that just right of center? Indian Red or Rubin, maybe?

Steve

[Harriett]

Your fish look wonderful but I really want to caution you that a 4 day quarantine is a zero quarantine. It can often take several weeks for a problem to surface, if one exists--sometimes as long as a month, which is why at least 4-6 weeks is recommended and it is not unusual to find people on this site who QT for a couple 2-3 months; that your new guys 'look fine' is no guarentee. You will find lots of postings on SD about methods for QT and horror stories for those who didn't...you risk problems or disease in both the new and the old discus---more than a few here have been wiped out in this same situation. Don't want to dash the magic and I know how that excitement grabs you when you finally get them home, but particularly with these expensive and challenging fish, it's all to frequently safe....or sorry. Most likely what you saw on the tails was ammonia burn from being bagged while shipping; it should clear on its own with lots of good clean water in a few days if that is the issue.
PLease understand I am offering this because I want you to be successful in your hobby!
BEst regards
Harriett

[digthemlows]

hmmmm? They weren't shipped, the went from a tank to a bucket to a tank........should I put them back in the QT tank??

[Harriett]

The reality is that you've already blown the QT and if there is an issue with the new fish, the old ones have already been introduced to it....it's too late---just watch them all, keep the water very clean, keep your fingers crossed and do a bit of reading on QT? Hope this all goes ok for you--the fish are sure good looking!
Best regards
Harriett

[digthemlows]

I will! Thanks Harriett! I'm very confident my water and my existing discus are in good shape.............My wife will tell you, I spend waay too much time making sure the water and fish are taken care of! :angel::o

[Harriett]

Great! Just PLEASE QT from now on---you'd be amazed what can come up from wonderful perfect appearing healthy looking discus....we all have horror stories, even WITH QT, let alone without, on occasion. It's only a matter of time....better safe than sorry.
Best regards and happy hobbying to you!
Harriett

[kitfoxdrvr]

hmmmm? They weren't shipped, the went from a tank to a bucket to a tank........should I put them back in the QT tank??

My thoughts were that it was damage incurred inbound to your lfs. Most lfs have discus shipped to them from a breeder, and I have commonly seen fish with ammonia damage newly introduced in a store's tanks.

Harriett is dead on right on QT, I have introduced flukes into a koi pond (VERY expensive mistake in a 10,000 gallon pond) via a 3 week quarantine, so stick with the minimum 4 week number. I have however introduced new discus into a lightly stocked community tank before, but that tank held no discus prior and I went in knowing the risk (great breeder and hardy tank inhabitants). Did your tank have any discus in it before?

Steve

[digthemlows]

These fish were raised by SD member Tina who I feel did a great job raising them and kept them very healthy, I do the same on my end. I realize I may have put them in my tank too soon, but I feel my tank is fine and the fish came from a good place. I guess time will tell. Thanks for everyones advice! I know about QTing fish and understand the reasons/benefits. Oh and the Pigeon and Blue are cleaning off a spot! I guess they've laid eggs before........although the Leopard is dancin with the blue too? Anyone able to tell if the leopard is boy or girl?

Now I'm going back to stare at my fishtank!

[danwpc]

Nice tank!

Great looking fish =P

Hopefully the no QT won't come back to haunt you. Just keep them happy and healthy! Good luck!

[digthemlows]

took out a piece of driftwood on the left side to open it up a little more.........the fish are happy and swim around everywhere!

http://starboardbough.com/tmp/fulltank2.3.08.jpg

http://starboardbough.com/tmp/fulltank2.3.08.2.jpg

The big guys really swim together while the pigeon dances for them! I still think the leopard could be female too?
http://starboardbough.com/tmp/lss.blue.2.3.08.jpg

[happygirl65]

This is so gorgeous! I want to know more about the terrace you built! Did you purchase that, build it....where....how.....please oh please tell me.....I want to "borrow" some of your design for my new 90 gallon :)

[digthemlows]

What "terrace" are you talking about? If it's the driftwood in the corner it's just extra sand built up inside of two pieces of driftwood. Of course this tank is gone and my 125 is running strong now.

[happygirl65]

THanks! I guess it is driftwood :) I just really liked the look of it.

I have seen the pics you posted of the 125....really beautiful as well.

[Dissident]

That is defiantly one of the nicest low-tech tanks i have seen in a while.

How long have you had it set up with those plants?

[digthemlows]

Thanks, it was running for 4 months or so.................the same lighting, substrate, plants, etc. are now in a 125 gallon.

http://starboardbough.com/tmp/new125g.jpg

[Diskboy12]

I love your tansk they are just amazing.

-Kevin