Heckel Mini Biotope [Archive]

Eddie

04-25-2009, 04:42 AM

Yes I know, Discus are schooling fish and need to be in groups. Unfortunately I purchased a single heckel back in November and until now, he/she has been a with all my hybrids. Well I noticed that this semi-adult heckel enjoyed the company of one of my heckel crosses. I spent last weekend putting this little mini-biotope together.

Tank- 35 gallons, super fine white sand, manzanita branches, anubias tied to the tops of the branches and I plan on getting a few floating plants
Fish - 1 Heckel, 1 Heckel X, 2 cardinal tetras, 2 sterbai cats
Lighting - I rigged a standard fluorescent light up to the canopy more towards the front, very low wattage.
Filtration - Textra 90 X-Power Canister filter, using peat in one of the trays
Water parameters - PH 5.6-5.8, Temp 84F

Anything I'm missing besides more Heckels and bigger tank. :D I figured I make a little biotope love motel for these 2.

http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss289/extremeist/biotope/IMG_2639.jpg
http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss289/extremeist/biotope/IMG_2682.jpg
http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss289/extremeist/biotope/IMG_2683.jpg
http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss289/extremeist/biotope/IMG_2684.jpg
http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss289/extremeist/biotope/IMG_2685.jpg
http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss289/extremeist/biotope/IMG_2686.jpg
http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss289/extremeist/biotope/IMG_2687.jpg
http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss289/extremeist/biotope/IMG_2688.jpg
http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss289/extremeist/biotope/IMG_2689.jpg
http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss289/extremeist/biotope/IMG_2690.jpg
http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss289/extremeist/biotope/IMG_2691.jpg
http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss289/extremeist/biotope/IMG_2692.jpg

Eddie

Mr Wild

04-25-2009, 06:35 AM

Very nice, very nice indeed. YOur discus do not eat your neons? I have one that fancies anything smaller than him!

Eddie

04-25-2009, 06:40 AM

Thanks Kath, nope these guys don't eat them. These two are the sole survivors of the original 2 dozen I picked up in October. They havent been eaten yet. Maybe they are just too quick these 2. :D

Eddie

William Palumbo

04-25-2009, 06:59 AM

Looking good Eddie!...For me, it needs MORE WOOD! Heckles love that wood and all those tannins it leaches out. The water may get dark, but your Discus will shine...Bill

Eddie

04-25-2009, 07:05 AM

Looking good Eddie!...For me, it needs MORE WOOD! Heckles love that wood and all those tannins it leaches out. The water may get dark, but your Discus will shine...Bill

Good call Bill, I'll add some tomorrow! Just trying to give them some comfort. I'll fill it out with more wood for sure.

Thanks for comment,

Eddie

kirkp

04-25-2009, 08:14 AM

Looking good Eddie. Maybe they'll pair off? One can only hope. Keep us updated on what happens.

Kirk

Disgirl

04-25-2009, 08:52 AM

Great looking love motel Eddie! They should have a good time in there for sure. Just wondering, what about all the pointy parts of the wood? Any chance they might get hurt on those?
Barbara

plecocicho

04-25-2009, 10:12 AM

More leaching manzanita wood and floating plants will make therir love nest even cousier. Do they act like the real couple or were only few shy atempsts of courting between them?

FLGirl1977

04-25-2009, 01:04 PM

Nice job Eddie! I noticed your two cardinals... no school of cardinals? Or for water quality indicators?

Eddie

04-25-2009, 09:05 PM

Looking good Eddie. Maybe they'll pair off? One can only hope. Keep us updated on what happens.

Kirk

We'll see, they enjoy each other company and do a little love tapping but it will take a while for the heckel to get comfy.

Great looking love motel Eddie! They should have a good time in there for sure. Just wondering, what about all the pointy parts of the wood? Any chance they might get hurt on those?
Barbara

Thanks Barbara, the wood is fine, I've had a bunch in my main tank with all the hybrids as well and not a scrape yet (knocking on wood). LOL None of my fish dart wildy creating an explosion in the tank. :)

Nice job Eddie! I noticed your two cardinals... no school of cardinals? Or for water quality indicators?

Yeah Renee....put it this way, in October I had 2 dozen and now these are the sole survivors. :o Might add some more but it's a tight tank and didn't want to cramp the Heckels.

Thanks for the comments, off to find floating plants today!

Eddie

Ed13

04-25-2009, 09:47 PM

Looking good Eddie! I was thinking the other day that perhaps a biotipical set up for pairs only may be part of the missing link to get Heckels to breed.

Eddie

04-25-2009, 09:56 PM

Looking good Eddie! I was thinking the other day that perhaps a biotipical set up for pairs only may be part of the missing link to get Heckels to breed.

Thanks Ed, that is what I have read also. Somebody on here had them lay eggs in a biotope setting and then when the fish were moved, they wouldn't again. :o

We'll see, it doesn't matter though, I just like the look of this mini biotope, everybody happy go lucky. ;)

Take care,

Eddie

Scribbles

04-25-2009, 11:40 PM

Nice set-up. Best of luck with them. Hope to see baby pictures in the future.

Chris

Eddie

04-25-2009, 11:48 PM

Nice set-up. Best of luck with them. Hope to see baby pictures in the future.

Chris

Thanks Chris, not betting on them but just making them comfortable. :D

Eddie

Muzammil

04-26-2009, 03:50 AM

Very Nice Setup and Beautiful Fish, Eddie. Your Discus look so beautiful and healthy. Very nice indeed.:)
Thanx for Sharing.

Muzammil

TankWatcher

04-26-2009, 05:17 AM

I think that looks great Eddie. I'm sure you know I'm always partial to a nicely decorated discus tank. Hope they do the :heart2: thing for you in their love motel :heart2: :heart2: :heart2:

Re the cardinals. I usually grown my cardinals up in their own tank & only add them to the discus tank when they are grown. That makes them usually too big into discus sized mouths.

BTW, weren't you setting up a planted tank for your wife. When do we see that one?

Eddie

04-26-2009, 06:23 AM

More leaching manzanita wood and floating plants will make therir love nest even cousier. Do they act like the real couple or were only few shy atempsts of courting between them?

Hello Pleco, sorry didn't reply on this one but yes they seem to be doing some love tapping. I think it will be a long time before anything though as I just added them to their Motel de Amor! LOL

Very Nice Setup and Beautiful Fish, Eddie. Your Discus look so beautiful and healthy. Very nice indeed.:)
Thanx for Sharing.

Muzammil

Thanks alot Muzammil, really appreciate it.

I think that looks great Eddie. I'm sure you know I'm always partial to a nicely decorated discus tank. Hope they do the :heart2: thing for you in their love motel :heart2: :heart2: :heart2:

Re the cardinals. I usually grown my cardinals up in their own tank & only add them to the discus tank when they are grown. That makes them usually too big into discus sized mouths.

BTW, weren't you setting up a planted tank for your wife. When do we see that one?

Thanks Robyn, I tried to get some floating plants today but no luck. I added more wood though, looks good, I'll get more shots.

The wife's tank, yeah....its done but I need to let everything settle down. I added some more low front coverage and stirred up the dirt alot. I'm using amazonia plant soil on top of powersand and the growth is insane! I don't use co2 and the plants are really thriving. Did some re-arranging and trimming today too. I'll try to get some shots for you tomorrow once the cloudiness disappears. ;)

Thanks everyone,

Eddie

Eddie

04-26-2009, 09:26 AM

Couple more branches added, may need a few more though. Enjoy

http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss289/extremeist/biotope/IMG_2723.jpg
http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss289/extremeist/biotope/IMG_2724.jpg
http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss289/extremeist/biotope/IMG_2726.jpg
http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss289/extremeist/biotope/IMG_2727.jpg
http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss289/extremeist/biotope/IMG_2730.jpg

AquatiCreations

04-26-2009, 10:57 AM

Looks great Eddie,are you planning on planting it or leaving it as is?

Big Tuck

04-26-2009, 12:15 PM

Hey Eddie,since you do such great work how about dropping by my place and do a tank for me!!! Its only a short jaunt LOL Tuck

acroken

04-26-2009, 02:59 PM

You are killing me Eddie:) That is a beautiful tank! Great looking heckels!Where did you find the amazonian plant soil? I really wish you would stop posting pictures, LOL. Super nice set up.

Kenny

Eyecandy

04-26-2009, 03:13 PM

Hi Eddie... I really like your little "love shack".:D:D If you are having trouble finding floating plants.. you can just try some that normally are planted .. My husband pulled a small sword in his tank to trim and left it floating before he got round to replanting it,, The plant is doing great and the fish love it.. You could also go with wisteria the same way.. Whatever, your fish I'm sure are gonna be feeling very romantic in there.LOL Take care Sue:D

Eddie

04-26-2009, 06:32 PM

Looks great Eddie,are you planning on planting it or leaving it as is?

Thanks, just gonna add floating plants and thats it. Trying to keep it clean, simple and just like the Heckel waters. Obviously there are no Anubias in their native waters but I needed to add a little green to tank until I find some floating plants.

Hey Eddie,since you do such great work how about dropping by my place and do a tank for me!!! Its only a short jaunt LOL Tuck

No problem Tuck, anytime! I already told the wife I'm touring the world to visit discus hobbyist breeders to work for free! Let me know when you want me to stop by Tuck. ;)

Thanks

You are killing me Eddie:) That is a beautiful tank! Great looking heckels!Where did you find the amazonian plant soil? I really wish you would stop posting pictures, LOL. Super nice set up.

Kenny

Thanks Kenny, appreciate it. The amazonia soil that is in the wife's planted tank, I found here in Okinawa. This stuff is insane! The wife's plants are really taking off with no co2 at all.

I'll try to put the wife's camera down to, it's just entirely to easy to get great shots. I love her camera! LOL

Hi Eddie... I really like your little "love shack".:D:D If you are having trouble finding floating plants.. you can just try some that normally are planted .. My husband pulled a small sword in his tank to trim and left it floating before he got round to replanting it,, The plant is doing great and the fish love it.. You could also go with wisteria the same way.. Whatever, your fish I'm sure are gonna be feeling very romantic in there.LOL Take care Sue:D

Thanks for the tip Sue, I may have to go that route. I'm gonna do more searching today and hopefully get what I need or find some suitable subs.

Thanks again everyone

Eddie

AquatiCreations

04-26-2009, 07:01 PM

Thanks, just gonna add floating plants and thats it. Trying to keep it clean, simple and just like the Heckel waters. Obviously there are no Anubias in their native waters but I needed to add a little green to tank until I find some floating plants.

Awesome,yea some green always spices it up abit,what floaters are you getting?

Eddie

04-26-2009, 07:09 PM

Awesome,yea some green always spices it up abit,what floaters are you getting?

I would love some of these. :D
http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/ikmp/images/waterlettuce.gif

Eddie

AquatiCreations

04-26-2009, 07:11 PM

Some seriously nice root systems on those. :D

Eddie

04-26-2009, 07:16 PM

Some seriously nice root systems on those. :D

For sure! The more roots the better! :D

Eddie

AquatiCreations

04-26-2009, 07:30 PM

That's water lettuce isn't it?

Whatever you do don't get duckweed! :crazy:

Eddie

04-26-2009, 08:39 PM

That's water lettuce isn't it?

Whatever you do don't get duckweed! :crazy:

Yup, water lettuce. No duckweed for me! I might get water hyacinth if its avail.

Eddie

AquatiCreations

04-26-2009, 08:43 PM

It's a shame you're all the way in Japan,I can get you all the Hyacinths you need if you were in the U.S. ,although if there isn't a restriction on shipping them I could probably send you some.:p

Eddie

04-26-2009, 09:14 PM

It's a shame you're all the way in Japan,I can get you all the Hyacinths you need if you were in the U.S. ,although if there isn't a restriction on shipping them I could probably send you some.:p

Hmmm.....that would be awesome! I think water hyacinth is actually not a good plant to have shipped. I am sure there are some regulations on it. Isn;t it like taking over the US. :o

Eddie

AquatiCreations

04-26-2009, 09:16 PM

Hmmm.....that would be awesome! I think water hyacinth is actually not a good plant to have shipped. I am sure there are some regulations on it. Isn;t it like taking over the US. :o

Eddie

Yep,that's why I can get you an unlimited supply! :D

Eddie

04-26-2009, 09:25 PM

Yep,that's why I can get you an unlimited supply! :D

I dont think the Okinawa customs office will be too happy when they open the box! LOL

Eddie

AquatiCreations

04-26-2009, 09:30 PM

I dont think the Okinawa customs office will be too happy when they open the box! LOL

Eddie

lol!

Hey Eddie, I'm curious do you run carbon in your filters? Every time I use carbon it sucks the tannins right out of my water.

Eddie

04-26-2009, 09:32 PM

lol!

Hey Eddie, I'm curious do you run carbon in your filters? Every time I use carbon it sucks the tannins right out of my water.

NO WAY, I never use carbon ever.

Eddie

AquatiCreations

04-26-2009, 09:34 PM

NO WAY, I never use carbon ever.

Eddie

What would you recommend using instead,I'm starting a new tank here soon,I want good water quality,but I want stained water aswell.

Thanks!

Eddie

04-26-2009, 09:58 PM

What would you recommend using instead,I'm starting a new tank here soon,I want good water quality,but I want stained water aswell.

Thanks!

Use Peat in the filter. I use sponges, porous rings and then peat on the top tray of my canister filter to keep the water stained, water stays crystal clear (not cloudy) with a cycled filter.

Eddie

AquatiCreations

04-26-2009, 10:45 PM

Not to steer you're thread off topic, but do these porous rings yield all the beneficial bacterium capabilities,and what do they cost in USD(If you know).

Thanks again Eddie!

Eddie

04-27-2009, 01:17 AM

Not to steer you're thread off topic, but do these porous rings yield all the beneficial bacterium capabilities,and what do they cost in USD(If you know).

Thanks again Eddie!

No sure in the states...should be cheap as heck though. I know a bag of them here is like $5.

Good news, got a nice group of young water lettuce plants today! Will take pictures tomorrow. :D

Eddie

rickztahone

04-27-2009, 02:05 AM

It's a shame you're all the way in Japan,I can get you all the Hyacinths you need if you were in the U.S. ,although if there isn't a restriction on shipping them I could probably send you some.:p

hey Mark i've been looking for some floaters as well if you would like to sell me some. i don't know much about it but all i have currently is hornwort. let me know, sorry for the hi-jack Eddie. it's pointless for me to say that your tank looks great because you know i always think your tanks look great ;). i really love the tannins look, does the peat affect the pH?

Eddie

04-27-2009, 02:47 AM

hey Mark i've been looking for some floaters as well if you would like to sell me some. i don't know much about it but all i have currently is hornwort. let me know, sorry for the hi-jack Eddie. it's pointless for me to say that your tank looks great because you know i always think your tanks look great ;). i really love the tannins look, does the peat affect the pH?

Hey Ricardo, no worries. Nobody hijacks threads IMO. Its all learning experience. ;)

The peat drops my PH into the high 5s. The fish love it! They love the new floating water lettuce too!

Eddie

TankWatcher

04-27-2009, 07:02 AM

Yup, water lettuce.
I seriously like that stuff. Will have to see if we can get that down under

Eddie

04-27-2009, 07:36 AM

I seriously like that stuff. Will have to see if we can get that down under

It looks fantastic in the tank too Robyn. I'll get some pictures in the coming days! I was able to get about 8 or 9 mini size so hopefully they will grow alot larger. Even now, the root system is nice and long! ;)

Take care,

Eddie

AquatiCreations

04-27-2009, 09:29 AM

Good news, got a nice group of young water lettuce plants today! Will take pictures tomorrow. :D

Eddie

Awesome,let's see 'em!

erikc

04-27-2009, 11:48 AM

Nice setup there , looks like the fish will be happy :D

If I'm not mistaken your Heckel looks a lot like an Abacaxis, they like really acidic water before their colours come out ;)

Eddie

04-27-2009, 08:00 PM

Updated pics with mini water lettuce. Enjoy

http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss289/extremeist/biotope/biotope%20II/IMG_2784.jpg
http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss289/extremeist/biotope/biotope%20II/IMG_2785.jpg
http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss289/extremeist/biotope/biotope%20II/IMG_2792.jpg
http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss289/extremeist/biotope/biotope%20II/IMG_2794.jpg
http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss289/extremeist/biotope/biotope%20II/IMG_2795.jpg
http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss289/extremeist/biotope/biotope%20II/IMG_2796.jpg
http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss289/extremeist/biotope/biotope%20II/IMG_2797.jpg
http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss289/extremeist/biotope/biotope%20II/IMG_2798.jpg
http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss289/extremeist/biotope/biotope%20II/IMG_2799.jpg
http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss289/extremeist/biotope/biotope%20II/IMG_2800.jpg
http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss289/extremeist/biotope/biotope%20II/IMG_2801.jpg
http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss289/extremeist/biotope/biotope%20II/IMG_2803.jpg
http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss289/extremeist/biotope/biotope%20II/IMG_2804.jpg
http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss289/extremeist/biotope/biotope%20II/IMG_2805.jpg

Eddie

04-27-2009, 08:01 PM

Nice setup there , looks like the fish will be happy :D

If I'm not mistaken your Heckel looks a lot like an Abacaxis, they like really acidic water before their colours come out ;)

Thanks for the tip Eric!

Take care,

Eddie

AquatiCreations

04-27-2009, 08:14 PM

Woah-ho-ho! looking good eddie! :D

If that dosen't make them want to do the dirty, I don't know what will!

Eddie

04-27-2009, 08:30 PM

Woah-ho-ho! looking good eddie! :D

If that dosen't make them want to do the dirty, I don't know what will!

Thanks Mark...all in good time. ;)

Eddie

AquatiCreations

04-27-2009, 10:07 PM

Hey Eddie, I'm wondering, the cross is crossed with what exactly?

Eddie

04-27-2009, 10:21 PM

Hey Eddie, I'm wondering, the cross is crossed with what exactly?

Wish I knew Mark but I think a Red Turk. His brother is totally different looking, more turquoise and blue. This fish is a more red/brown base.

Eddie

AquatiCreations

04-27-2009, 10:25 PM

Wish I knew Mark but I think a Red Turk. His brother is totally different looking, more turquoise and blue. This fish is a more red/brown base.

Eddie

Ah cool, so fry from these 2 will be 1/4 cross correct, With Heckel dominating the majority of the blood line?

Eddie

04-28-2009, 01:08 AM

Ah cool, so fry from these 2 will be 1/4 cross correct, With Heckel dominating the majority of the blood line?

I'm no expert but I would say that the Heckel is dominant. 25% cross sounds right. :o

Eddie

erikc

04-28-2009, 03:00 AM

Setup looks even better with the water lettuce :D

It's perfect for heckels, not too much direct light, good luck and please keep up with the posts (as you always do ) :thumbsup:

Eddie

04-28-2009, 04:19 AM

Setup looks even better with the water lettuce :D

It's perfect for heckels, not too much direct light, good luck and please keep up with the posts (as you always do ) :thumbsup:

Thanks alot Erikc, you know I will. ;)

Take care,

Eddie

Eyecandy

04-28-2009, 07:54 AM

Eddie

04-28-2009, 08:23 AM

Hi.. Glad you found your floaters... The tank looks even better now:D:D:D.. I have water lettuce and water hiacynth here but it's large and in our outdoor pond.. Good to know there are smaller varieties for tanks.. I'm sure your lovebirds are happy as can be.. looks like a bit more color showing on them also. Good luck with the great tank.. Sue:D

Thank you very much Sue. I'm actually hoping these mini water lettuce plants get bigger. That would be great to have some large ones in a bigger tank. ;) Bet the fish would LOVE IT.

Take care,

Eddie

kirkp

04-28-2009, 01:54 PM

Hey Eddie, looking good! I'm sure you've said before but is your tank open top?

Kirk

Goki27

04-28-2009, 04:10 PM

EDDIE IT LOOKS AWESOME!
ME LIKES!!!!! THE ROOTS FINISHED IT UP!
.........d[-_-]b

TankWatcher

04-28-2009, 05:10 PM

Thanks for the pics. What about a shot from the top of the tank, looking down, just so we can see the top of your water lettuce.

Eddie

04-28-2009, 06:14 PM

Hey Eddie, looking good! I'm sure you've said before but is your tank open top?

Kirk

Thanks Kirk, this tank is not open top, it has a canopy and under the canopy I have a piece of plexiglass.

EDDIE IT LOOKS AWESOME!
ME LIKES!!!!! THE ROOTS FINISHED IT UP!
.........d[-_-]b

Thanks alot, appreciate the comment.

Thanks for the pics. What about a shot from the top of the tank, looking down, just so we can see the top of your water lettuce.

I'll try to figure out the best way to get a shot to include the lighting.

Take care and thanks,

Eddie

frenchie100

05-01-2009, 12:01 AM

Eddie

05-01-2009, 12:05 AM

Hey Eddie!

How the heck did I miss this post!
Your tank looks awesome and you are giving me great ideas for the remodelling of my 100 gallon tank.:D

I have the manzanita wood soaking outside and it has been well over a week and still not completely sinking. Are yours buoyent at all?

Great little love nest!;)

-Julie

Hi Julie, Thanks!

The wood was first bioled and then it took about 2 or 3 days to sink. Shouldn't be too much longer. ;)

Thanks again,

Eddie

blue acara

05-01-2009, 10:46 PM

Tank looks good Eddie and the fish look...awesome.

Eddie

05-02-2009, 04:39 AM

Tank looks good Eddie and the fish look...awesome.

Thanks alot Blue, appreciate the comment.

Take care,

Eddie

Dan S

05-02-2009, 06:38 PM

Eddie

05-03-2009, 08:36 PM

Hello Eddie,

Looking great, lovely fish too. When they breed, just watch out with the Tetras, I found them to be very good at eating fry in the first few days of free swimming. My Cardinals wiped out several lots of my Wild Blue fry.

Dan

Oh Dan, trust me, if these 2 decide to do the dirty, all tank mates will be evicted! LOL

Thanks for the comment,

Eddie

AquatiCreations

05-03-2009, 10:30 PM

Eddie,you gotta Dim the lights,burn some Incense,and play some smooth jazz for them,you know set them in the mood? :p

Eddie

05-03-2009, 10:31 PM

Eddie,you gotta Dim the lights,burn some Incense,and play some smooth jazz for them,you know set them in the mood? :p

Okay okay, I can do that. Maybe a little slow jams and candles. :D

Eddie

AquatiCreations

05-03-2009, 10:40 PM

Okay okay, I can do that. Maybe a little slow jams and candles. :D

Eddie

You know it buddy!

Maybe fix em' up a nice little bloodworm souffle',put an Ipod or similar device in front of them so they could go to the Swim thru' movies. :D

Eddie

05-03-2009, 10:56 PM

You know it buddy!

Maybe fix em' up a nice little bloodworm souffle',put an Ipod or similar device in front of them so they could go to the Swim thru' movies. :D

Man, you got the ideas BIG TIME!! What about desert? LOL

Eddie

Bloodworm souffle' LMAO

AquatiCreations

05-03-2009, 11:21 PM

What about desert?

I was thinking along the lines of some decadent light de-capsulated brine shrimp eggs,nothing to heavy, just enough to cleanse the palate. ;)

plecocicho

05-04-2009, 09:09 AM

Play them sexual healing from Marvine Gaye, that song is a road to success for all females and some discus p0rn with dirty discus spawnings should do the charm.:D;)

Eddie

05-04-2009, 09:11 AM

Play them sexual healing from Marvine Gaye, that song is a road to success for all females and some discus p0rn with dirty discus spawnings should do the charm.:D;)

:laugh: LMAO, you are crazy pleco.....I think I might try it! LOL

Eddie

AquatiCreations

05-04-2009, 09:37 AM

Play them sexual healing from Marvine Gaye, that song is a road to success for all females and some discus p0rn with dirty discus spawnings should do the charm.:D;)

LMAO! :grin:

I got an Idea let's all write a book "How to Woo discus"!

Eddie

05-04-2009, 09:41 AM

LMAO! :grin:

I got an Idea let's all write a book "How to Woo discus"!

The funniest part about plecos post was "that song is a road to success for all females". Totally flipping hilarious! LMAO BIG TIME!!!!

Eddie

plecocicho

05-04-2009, 04:15 PM

Thanks, guys. Maybe i should start a discus/aquarist comedian carier.:p

architect1

05-05-2009, 08:21 PM

Nice tank love the fish they look vary happy and content with it being just them and the rest of the other fishies in there. nice work.

Eddie

05-05-2009, 11:43 PM

Nice tank love the fish they look vary happy and content with it being just them and the rest of the other fishies in there. nice work.

Thanks A1, they are in heaven! ;)

Eddie

erikc

05-29-2009, 05:34 AM

Hey Eddie,
I knew I had a picture of the heckel cross I had about 4 years ago, I fianlly found one :o

These came from vietnam and are heckel x turq. cross, the male was quite a beauty :D

Eddie

05-29-2009, 05:47 AM

Hey Eddie,
I knew I had a picture of the heckel cross I had about 4 years ago, I fianlly found one :o

These came from vietnam and are heckel x turq. cross, the male was quite a beauty :D

Oh man Erik, those are SUPER NICE. The Heckel X are truly one of favorites. Too bad they are not in the market like all others. It would be sold out all the time I think. What happened to yours? Did they breed? Man, those are beauty's.

Got some REAL BAD news! Today while doing a water change on the tank beneath the Heckel tank, I noticed the wooden stand was fairly wet. Tracked it down to a minor leak in the the biotope tank. I was SO MAD!!!! It was a used tank. I had to move everything and now I need to start from scratch. IM PI$$ED OFF!!!! :mad: Sorry, had to vent.

Eddie

erikc

05-29-2009, 06:20 AM

Eddie

05-29-2009, 07:25 AM

Sorry to hear about your tank, that's a real bummer :mad::mad:

They never bred, the female was going through the motions but the male never followed up :(

I ended up selling them because I had to move (again) :(

Ouch, I'm never gonna move then! :( That must have been a hard one to swallow. I might be here at my current location for a bit longer than I thought because the family enjoys Okinawa and there is no telling where we could end up if we decide to leave.

Those were some beauty's that you had.

Take care,

Eddie

erikc

05-29-2009, 07:58 AM

That's the hardest part of discus keeping, in the past seven years I have moved over 8 times :mad:

I had a beatifull 160g tank, for 6 months once :mad:

Oh well, I'm sure you know this one, the next tank is always the best ;)

Take care Eddie and have a good WE :D

Eddie

05-29-2009, 07:59 AM

Apistomaster

05-29-2009, 01:49 PM

Early in your thread the discussion turned to Heckels eating neons/cardinals.
Neons need much cooler water and I have never had much luck with Cardinals living for years. Some do but I began with many and their attrition rates were bad over time.

I have had excellent experiences with keeping Green Neons with adult Heckels for some reason.
I kept 24 Green Neons with 10 Heckels for over 18 months until just recently. I sold my Heckels to a good friend a couple months ago. I had my Heckels since they were little more than 3 inch specimens for 4 years when I finally let them go.

I still love Heckel Discus but I only have time and space for the wild Discus spp. I know I can breed.
Heckel breeding is a very low probability affair.

Eddie

05-29-2009, 08:02 PM

Eddie

05-29-2009, 09:27 PM

Hey Eddie,
I knew I had a picture of the heckel cross I had about 4 years ago, I fianlly found one :o

These came from vietnam and are heckel x turq. cross, the male was quite a beauty :D

Erik,

Here is the Heckel X in his temp home until I get one of my spare 40 gallons cleaned up and ready to rock.

Take care,

Eddie

erikc

06-02-2009, 04:32 AM

Erik,

Here is the Heckel X in his temp home until I get one of my spare 40 gallons cleaned up and ready to rock.

Take care,

Eddie

Eddie,

Hmmm ..... really nice fish, some great potential. It's hard to determine what he was crossed with. What do you think ?

Eddie

06-02-2009, 05:51 AM

Eddie,

Hmmm ..... really nice fish, some great potential. It's hard to determine what he was crossed with. What do you think ?

I suspect a Turq or a very well patterned wild. :o

His brother is phenomenal IMO. I'll drop a link.

Here is the link, Post #2

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=71186

Eddie

erikc

06-02-2009, 07:40 AM

I suspect a Turq or a very well patterned wild. :o

His brother is phenomenal IMO. I'll drop a link.

Here is the link, Post #2

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=71186

Eddie

Ouch .... what a beauty :D:D

Okay definetely a strong influence of wild (center bar on eye ), hmmmm .... Royal Blue or Brown ?

Some have a prominent fith bar in them (natural heckel cross), which could account for the bar on your other heckel cross.

Dont suppose you'd want to give it up for a DNA analysis ?

Eddie

06-05-2009, 06:20 PM

Dont suppose you'd want to give it up for a DNA analysis ?

ah.....no, maybe when its dead. :o LOL

Take care Erik,

Eddie

Armandi_Fishcarer

06-06-2009, 10:55 PM

Eddie, very nice setup. Love the Heckels, nice! :D

Regards
Ahmed ;)

Eddie

06-06-2009, 11:10 PM

Eddie, very nice setup. Love the Heckels, nice! :D

Regards
Ahmed ;)

Thanks Ahmed, unfortunately is torn down. That tank had super small leak and I had to break it down. I'm still looking at what to do as far as options. I just picked up a 157liter crystal japanese style tank so I will be temp housing them in that for a while. :(

Thanks for the comment though, I will get it back up and running. ;)

Eddie