Redid the tank -

[tcmemphisbbq]

Well after some time and alot of hassle trying to keep a clean tank, I decided to redo our planted tank and go more simplistic.

We went with white silica sand, black background and a few pieces of wood with very lightly planted - I know alot arent fans of discus and black but we have tried about 5 different colors and Im tired of scraping paint LOL so we decided to try flat black.... WE LOVE IT. It hides the tubes, makes the colors pop and is a really nice contrast to the pure white sand.....

So far the discus seem pretty happy also. They have alot more swimming room and still some shelter for safety

I'll post some pics, when the tank settles out more, still a bit hazing looking right now.....

[tcmemphisbbq]

Took some pics, we are really pleased, Ide like to get some more dw to hang from top but let me know what you think -

This is the OLD aquascaping.....
http://tcmemphisbbq.com/tank/11-16/CIMG0469.JPG


This is the new.......
http://tcmemphisbbq.com/tank/12-27/CIMG0499.JPG

http://tcmemphisbbq.com/tank/12-27/CIMG0502.JPG

http://tcmemphisbbq.com/tank/12-27/CIMG0503.JPG

http://tcmemphisbbq.com/tank/12-27/CIMG0504.JPG

http://tcmemphisbbq.com/tank/12-27/CIMG0505.JPG

http://tcmemphisbbq.com/tank/12-27/CIMG0507.JPG

http://tcmemphisbbq.com/tank/12-27/CIMG0509.JPG

http://tcmemphisbbq.com/tank/12-27/CIMG0511.JPG

[target]

Very nice looking.

[rickztahone]

i really like the sand. good looking tank

[DavidC]

i personally love the tall piece of wood, i love how it adds so much structure but also allows access to the sand for cleaning, very nice tank

[scottthomas]

I really like the new set up. Great Job!

[David Rose]

Well done TC! I'm actually trying to get away from the black background to prevent peppering in my PBs. Some say the white sand contrast will work, but mine is light tan to white and I got peppering. :(

[tcmemphisbbq]

thats what i am hoping, the white sand is a breeze to clean and they eat ALL of thier food cause its not getting caught in the rocks anymore. My PB never peppered heavy even when I had the dark BG before we started painting the tank over and over LOL - good thing it only takes me about 25 minutes to scrape the whole thing..... Still waiting to see if or how much additional peppering I see. So far they seem really happy in the tank, alot less clutter = more swimmin room = happy fish.

thanks for the feedback everyone :-) We really like how it turned out this time, gonna keep it this way for a good long while now.

[ChloroPhil]

Nice and clean, I like it!

[KEWX]

Very nice! How do the angels and discus get along?

[tcmemphisbbq]

They get along fine... the black angel is over 10 years old, probably more 11-12 now...he is starting to look rough though, but they have always gotten along with the discus well, at first there were some stand offs but the angel was old and the discus were young so they quickly learned he was king of the tank... I had the black angel first, then got into discus.....so they were being added to "his" tank lol.... but now, a year later, and they all get along great, havent seen any agression or stand offs in 8 months or so

[Nismo]

Great job on the tank. I might have to copy how you have your plants set up with the drift wood. I really like how eventhough its planted it has that clean look to it that doesn't make it look overcrowed with plants.

Just switched to sand myself last week. Wouldn't have it anyother way now.

[Disgirl]

Looks beautiful to my eyes! Very clean and colorful, both important. I have a black marble angel, looks like yours, and mine is at least 11 maybe 12. He is still very healthy and beautiful and lives in a 65 gal. with 7 other angels, all about 3 yrs old.
Barb:)

[tcmemphisbbq]

i love the sand, yeah I lose a little each time I clean but its very easy, everything stays on top of it hehe -

here is my problem - my plants are doing terrible.....

PH about 8ish (cant help it, its what im stuck with)
I use Excel and Flourish for supplements - Running 1.5 wpg of "plant" spectrum lights....

leaves SLOWLY turn brown, no growth, decaying leaves.

Planted in sand as you already know if you read this thread LOL....

It seems ive never had good luck with plants, I know my lighting is not good enough but even low light plants seem to slowly die off, dare I say I am almost to the point of buying "artificial plants" because my live ones just decay and increase particulate matter in the water column...

Opinions/Thoughts?