Please need advice on overhauling my 180 show tank

[seasiderick]

Hi everyone well I am lookig to make this 180 show tank my dream tank and would like all the input I can get here is what I am thinking lmk what you think
again I want all the input I can get I am not happy with current tank at all.

The things I want to change.
1.take out gravel and put #20 pool filter sand already ordered.
2.I am going to picture frame the tank with red oak molding imo it should look nice.
3.This is the biggy I want to change background but what? I was thinking maybe one of those pangea 3d backgrounds I just need to lose that blue.
4.Lighting please any suggestions.
5.some filter chages I will post some pics of my filter asap.
6.last put a bunch of those awsome fish I have been buying from kenny and enjoy.
7.I will keep everyone up to date as I change it.
please dont hold back I need all the help I can get on this ,I only want to do this once Thanks in advance everyone for looking and helping Rick
older pic
http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu149/seasiderick/july%208yh%20pics/discusbabiesjuly047.jpg
http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu149/seasiderick/discus%20oct%203rd/discus9-25035.jpg
cpr wet dry
http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu149/seasiderick/discus%20oct%203rd/10-10-09027.jpg
dolphin pump
http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu149/seasiderick/discus%20oct%203rd/10-10-09029.jpg
aqua uv 40 watt needs new balast 100.00 should I fix and use or take out?
http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu149/seasiderick/discus%20oct%203rd/10-10-09030.jpg

[frenchie100]

What an awesome project! I am JEALOUS!!!!

I think that sand idea is awesome! I was planning on doing that as well at some point because discus love to blow on the sand to search for their food. I like to see animals exhibit as many of their natural behaviors as possible.

Is your tank in the wall? If so, I think framing it is a great idea.

3D background is a great idae, and I have been analyzing Hans's threads, but I was worried that it would take up too much space.

Seems that you are envisioning the same style tank as I was, so you might want to check out Hans's thread called "look what I found" and check out the manzanita wood he has in there. I also ordered it, just never got a chance to actually put it in my tank.

Good luck and keep us updated!

Julie :)

[seasiderick]

What an awesome project! I am JEALOUS!!!!

I think that sand idea is awesome! I was planning on doing that as well at some point because discus love to blow on the sand to search for their food. I like to see animals exhibit as many of their natural behaviors as possible.

Is your tank in the wall? If so, I think framing it is a great idea.

3D background is a great idae, and I have been analyzing Hans's threads, but I was worried that it would take up too much space.

Seems that you are envisioning the same style tank as I was, so you might want to check out Hans's thread called "look what I found" and check out the manzanita wood he has in there. I also ordered it, just never got a chance to actually put it in my tank.

Good luck and keep us updated!

Julie :)
Thanks Julie I will check hans thread and I will keep everyone updated thanks for your input,and yes the tank is in the wall, All the best Rick

[discusjoe27]

www.aquaterra-intl.com cool 3d back grounds.

[seasiderick]

www.aquaterra-intl.com cool 3d back grounds.
Thanks.Rick

[DiscusKeeper403]

It is a tad dark in the tank. I normally use Coralife compact florescent lighting fixtures. I like the compact fluorescent, high wattage and very bright. Good luck with the tank.

[rickztahone]

although doing a complete overhaul sounds like a good idea i think just changing the background to a lighter color it would greatly change the appearance of the tank. the sand will set it off nicely. let us know your filtration setup when you have time. is it a 6 footer?

[D!NGO]

You got an awesome tank Rick. I see you have an undergravel(UG) filter. IMO I don't think that is the best filtration for any fish tank, let alone a discus tank. There are going to be a lot of detritus getting stuck in the gravel and it's going to end up adding alot of dissolve organics in the water. No matter how much you siphon there will always be left over.

If you must have UG, I would go with reverse flow. Make sure the water is filtered before it's pumped in the UG. I would also use smaller sized gravel than what you have there now.

You said you're going to use #20 pool filter. I don't know how fine is the grain size, but if it's too fine (like less than 1mm) I would not use UG. Too much restriction especially when you have muck built up. Then you going to have dead spots where anaerobic bacteria thrive and it will cause alot of problems down the road.

Since you already have built in overflows, I would use a wet/dry sump filter instead. It would make your maintenance chores alot easier.

As far as the other things you're asking about, I think there are more knowledgeable people here who can better guide you.

HTH

[seasiderick]

although doing a complete overhaul sounds like a good idea i think just changing the background to a lighter color it would greatly change the appearance of the tank. the sand will set it off nicely. let us know your filtration setup when you have time. is it a 6 footer?

Yes it is a 6 footer thanks for responding.Rick

[seasiderick]

You got an awesome tank Rick. I see you have an undergravel(UG) filter. IMO I don't think that is the best filtration for any fish tank, let alone a discus tank. There are going to be a lot of detritus getting stuck in the gravel and it's going to end up adding alot of dissolve organics in the water. No matter how much you siphon there will always be left over.

If you must have UG, I would go with reverse flow. Make sure the water is filtered before it's pumped in the UG. I would also use smaller sized gravel than what you have there now.

You said you're going to use #20 pool filter. I don't know how fine is the grain size, but if it's too fine (like less than 1mm) I would not use UG. Too much restriction especially when you have muck built up. Then you going to have dead spots where anaerobic bacteria thrive and it will cause alot of problems down the road.
since you already have built in overflows, I would use a wet/dry sump filter instead. It would make your maintenance chores alot easier.

As far as the other things you're asking about, I think there are more knowledgeable people here who can better guide you.

HTH
Thanks Derak I plan to remove the undergravel filter and put sand bottom and should have never put the ug filter in rookie move on my part lol.Take care and see you soon.Rick

[poconoboss]

I have a Pangea background and I LOVE it!! I get so many compliments on it from people who see my tank in person.

Not to mention, it does a great job of hiding all your plumbing etc. The "tree root" is one of my females favorite place to lay eggs.

Here are a few pics of my Amazon type background:

After unpacking:
http://poconoboss.smugmug.com/photos/264763179_f2cuU-L.jpg

In the tank:
http://poconoboss.smugmug.com/photos/473776713_c36mH-L.jpg

Planted and stocked:
http://poconoboss.smugmug.com/photos/504322270_Pb56W-XL.jpg

[seasiderick]

I have a Pangea background and I LOVE it!! I get so many compliments on it from people who see my tank in person.

Not to mention, it does a great job of hiding all your plumbing etc. The "tree root" is one of my females favorite place to lay eggs.

Here are a few pics of my Amazon type background:

After unpacking:
http://poconoboss.smugmug.com/photos/264763179_f2cuU-L.jpg

In the tank:
http://poconoboss.smugmug.com/photos/473776713_c36mH-L.jpg

Planted and stocked:
http://poconoboss.smugmug.com/photos/504322270_Pb56W-XL.jpg
Very nice I like that one if I get one it might be that one thanks for your reply
all the best Rick

[Sharkbait]

I have a Pangea background and I LOVE it!! I get so many compliments on it from people who see my tank in person.

Not to mention, it does a great job of hiding all your plumbing etc. The "tree root" is one of my females favorite place to lay eggs.


Love the background. I've got just a simple Marina Rock background because I couldn't throw down the money for something like that. With my recent experience with 3D backgrounds though..I'm almost gonna throw mine out.

Question though...how the hell do you keep it clean? Maybe it's a different type of material than mine (styrofoam). Once aged in the tank, it looks alright, but too much algae makes it hardly visible. It's just one dark mess. I also noticed that my BN plecos put little holes in it trying to get the algae. Do you have the same problem?

Any advice?

[poconoboss]

Love the background. I've got just a simple Marina Rock background because I couldn't throw down the money for something like that. With my recent experience with 3D backgrounds though..I'm almost gonna throw mine out.

Question though...how the hell do you keep it clean? Maybe it's a different type of material than mine (styrofoam). Once aged in the tank, it looks alright, but too much algae makes it hardly visible. It's just one dark mess. I also noticed that my BN plecos put little holes in it trying to get the algae. Do you have the same problem?

Any advice?

Mine is made from a very high density polyurethane industrial foam, I can just scrub it like any other surface. Mostly my maintenance crew keeps it clean.

[rickztahone]

poconoboss, some of those discus do not look very healthy in there fyi. i say that strictly due to the super dark color they are exhibiting. please don't take it the wrong way, it's just an observation.

[poconoboss]

poconoboss, some of those discus do not look very healthy in there fyi. i say that strictly due to the super dark color they are exhibiting. please don't take it the wrong way, it's just an observation.

That picture was taken a while back when I had some fighting and squabbling going on. The fish had got a little beat up and they darkened up quite a bit, but all is good now, they get along and there colors are just as they should be. I had a couple of bullys that I got rid of. ;)

[darbex]

That is an awesome background. If my tank wasnt a room divider I would spring on one of those.

[mareshow]

ooh i love the background, i dont think i could put one in though, looks like it protrudes pretty far into the tank

[Jstuver]

I made a fiberglass background for this tank:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a26/bstuver/wildtank.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a26/bstuver/DSC_4023.jpg

A lot less expensive than the other ones especially for the size of your tank.

[seasiderick]

I made a fiberglass background for this tank:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a26/bstuver/wildtank.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a26/bstuver/DSC_4023.jpg

A lot less expensive than the other ones especially for the size of your tank.
Very nice thanks for sharing Rick