fretbuzz520
02-11-2008, 07:49 PM
Hey, all, first post. Just wanted to bounce some ideas off everyone.
First, the idea:
Probably 2-4 discus (I will do whatever they are most comfortable with some say 4 is minimum). A school of rummynose tetras, a couple german blue rams, and probably some corys and otos. I will be researching and planning the stocking later. The discus are the most important and that's obviously what this tank will be catering to.
The fixture that will be used would be a 4x65watt PC with two actinics and two white.
*Has anybody heard the argument that actinics do not count towards overall wattage?
Basically, I would like to get away with some very hardy plants if possible. I'm not going to go the full C02 route, but I would do a quality fertilizer substrate if I knew whether or not my fixture was up to the task of growing a few hardy plants. If the actinics wattage count then I would have a full 260 watts (3.4wpg), if the actinics don't count towards the overall wattage then I would only have 130watts (1.7wpg). This will be something that will make me decide to go with fake plants with rocks and wood or go with a few live ones.
*Has anybody heard of a sump design on a discus tank?
I will have a 38gal that will not be used and that would make a wonderful sized sump on the 75. That would also be a very nice form of filtration if I understand correctly. I could probably harvest some macroalgae in a refugium down there?
If I shouldn't go with a sump then I will probably go with a fluval 304 underneath (loaded with media that only needs to be changed every 6 months, so I don't have to service the darn thing all the time) and an emperor 400 up top. I will use peat and carbon if necessary.
*How do I maintain proper pH in this tank?
*What does everyone prefer for water changes? conditioned tap water vs. RO/DI vs. bottled water vs. distilled water?
Feel free to offer any suggestions. I'm still in the researching phase so these are just ideas and please comment about anything. I hope I mentioned everything.
First, the idea:
Probably 2-4 discus (I will do whatever they are most comfortable with some say 4 is minimum). A school of rummynose tetras, a couple german blue rams, and probably some corys and otos. I will be researching and planning the stocking later. The discus are the most important and that's obviously what this tank will be catering to.
The fixture that will be used would be a 4x65watt PC with two actinics and two white.
*Has anybody heard the argument that actinics do not count towards overall wattage?
Basically, I would like to get away with some very hardy plants if possible. I'm not going to go the full C02 route, but I would do a quality fertilizer substrate if I knew whether or not my fixture was up to the task of growing a few hardy plants. If the actinics wattage count then I would have a full 260 watts (3.4wpg), if the actinics don't count towards the overall wattage then I would only have 130watts (1.7wpg). This will be something that will make me decide to go with fake plants with rocks and wood or go with a few live ones.
*Has anybody heard of a sump design on a discus tank?
I will have a 38gal that will not be used and that would make a wonderful sized sump on the 75. That would also be a very nice form of filtration if I understand correctly. I could probably harvest some macroalgae in a refugium down there?
If I shouldn't go with a sump then I will probably go with a fluval 304 underneath (loaded with media that only needs to be changed every 6 months, so I don't have to service the darn thing all the time) and an emperor 400 up top. I will use peat and carbon if necessary.
*How do I maintain proper pH in this tank?
*What does everyone prefer for water changes? conditioned tap water vs. RO/DI vs. bottled water vs. distilled water?
Feel free to offer any suggestions. I'm still in the researching phase so these are just ideas and please comment about anything. I hope I mentioned everything.