overthetop2009
02-03-2010, 03:14 PM
Hi all,
I'm new to the forum and three years into tropical fish keeping. I have been maintaining a pristine environment for my Oscar, Jack Dempsey, Convict and Silver Dollars... obviously no plants. The tank is 90 gallons, has two Eheim 2217 filters and I have never had water quality issues. I change 90% of the water in my tank once a week.
Believe it or not my current tank does not qualify as a hoby any more than owning a dog would be called a hoby. 1 hour a week maintenance routine. I want to do more with my aquarium keeping.. I want a hoby, a project where I feel I am accomplishing something great. I do have a little money to spend having spent over a grand on my basic new setup. I want to be successful is the bottom line.
I have read as much as possible on forums and articles on discuss and planted aquariums and have just bought the equipment needed to run a new planted tank (most of it). I want to have a medium intensity planted environment, cardinals, cory's and eventually when the tank is mature and I know what I'm doing; discus.
The tank is 75 gallons. I believe I have 130W of light and have bought 5 - 20 pound bags of pre-washed substrate for plants(forget the name), heater (Eheim), another Eheim 2217 (going on O tank - O tank filter going on new tank), fert, bottle of Seachem (maybe got name wrong) liquid CO2.
It is all scheduled for delivery tomorow at which time I will set this up.
Plan/More info. <-- critique apreciated.
Day 1.
1. I'm going to immediately add the substrate to my new tank once I get it setup, purchase my plants and rocks/driftwood. Aquascape as I want
2. Attach a mature filter from Oscar Tank. Add heater (83 degrees).
3. Fill with water, 25% from my current tank and 75% from the tap. Add Seachem Prime.
4. Haven't read the directions on the liquid CO2 yet but add as label requires; add fert as label indicates.
5. Set lights 10-12 hours a day on timer.
6. My tank should be completely cycled due to old filter and mature water.
7. If water is not dirty and cloudy. Add 2 mature (3 years old) Silver dollars (i.e. Oscar/JD/Convict Punching bags - good thing they are so quick).
Day 2.
1. Check Water parameters.
2. Add Corys (6-12) and Cardinals (looking at 20-40).
Week 1-8
1. Change 50% water once a week.
2. Maintain, trip and learn about keeping/maintaining a planted tank.
3. Check water parameters and report back here to get advise on Discuss.
1. If tank has been stable and parameters are good at week 4-6 add a 2 Full Grown Discus (paired - I know this will cost me).
2. Step up water changes to 2X 30-50% changes a week.
Week 8-12
1. If all is good and I feel I can accomodate I want to move in 3 more Adult Discuss (I am thinking about all blue discuss - maybe only blue diamonds). If not continue with just the two discuss.
I plan on posting photos along the way and keeping this thread active. Any advise, lessons learned etc would be very much apreciated.
And no I am not planning on breeding.. This is my showpiece tank and I'm commited to the work.
Notes/Questions:
1. The liquid CO2 is a temporary solution can anyone give me advise what setup to buy that will cost me less than 150 dollars. Where to buy it cheaply? What brands etc?
2. Am I right in thinking that my 75 might be a little small for 5 adult discuss with plants?
3. Are there any sites with step by step instructions for planting a tank and getting a beautiful tank as a result. Step by step illustrated guides? I am not very artistic but am trained in botany and have landscaped as a summer job (lots of trimming).
4. Any other concerns?
Thanks!
Greg
I'm new to the forum and three years into tropical fish keeping. I have been maintaining a pristine environment for my Oscar, Jack Dempsey, Convict and Silver Dollars... obviously no plants. The tank is 90 gallons, has two Eheim 2217 filters and I have never had water quality issues. I change 90% of the water in my tank once a week.
Believe it or not my current tank does not qualify as a hoby any more than owning a dog would be called a hoby. 1 hour a week maintenance routine. I want to do more with my aquarium keeping.. I want a hoby, a project where I feel I am accomplishing something great. I do have a little money to spend having spent over a grand on my basic new setup. I want to be successful is the bottom line.
I have read as much as possible on forums and articles on discuss and planted aquariums and have just bought the equipment needed to run a new planted tank (most of it). I want to have a medium intensity planted environment, cardinals, cory's and eventually when the tank is mature and I know what I'm doing; discus.
The tank is 75 gallons. I believe I have 130W of light and have bought 5 - 20 pound bags of pre-washed substrate for plants(forget the name), heater (Eheim), another Eheim 2217 (going on O tank - O tank filter going on new tank), fert, bottle of Seachem (maybe got name wrong) liquid CO2.
It is all scheduled for delivery tomorow at which time I will set this up.
Plan/More info. <-- critique apreciated.
Day 1.
1. I'm going to immediately add the substrate to my new tank once I get it setup, purchase my plants and rocks/driftwood. Aquascape as I want
2. Attach a mature filter from Oscar Tank. Add heater (83 degrees).
3. Fill with water, 25% from my current tank and 75% from the tap. Add Seachem Prime.
4. Haven't read the directions on the liquid CO2 yet but add as label requires; add fert as label indicates.
5. Set lights 10-12 hours a day on timer.
6. My tank should be completely cycled due to old filter and mature water.
7. If water is not dirty and cloudy. Add 2 mature (3 years old) Silver dollars (i.e. Oscar/JD/Convict Punching bags - good thing they are so quick).
Day 2.
1. Check Water parameters.
2. Add Corys (6-12) and Cardinals (looking at 20-40).
Week 1-8
1. Change 50% water once a week.
2. Maintain, trip and learn about keeping/maintaining a planted tank.
3. Check water parameters and report back here to get advise on Discuss.
1. If tank has been stable and parameters are good at week 4-6 add a 2 Full Grown Discus (paired - I know this will cost me).
2. Step up water changes to 2X 30-50% changes a week.
Week 8-12
1. If all is good and I feel I can accomodate I want to move in 3 more Adult Discuss (I am thinking about all blue discuss - maybe only blue diamonds). If not continue with just the two discuss.
I plan on posting photos along the way and keeping this thread active. Any advise, lessons learned etc would be very much apreciated.
And no I am not planning on breeding.. This is my showpiece tank and I'm commited to the work.
Notes/Questions:
1. The liquid CO2 is a temporary solution can anyone give me advise what setup to buy that will cost me less than 150 dollars. Where to buy it cheaply? What brands etc?
2. Am I right in thinking that my 75 might be a little small for 5 adult discuss with plants?
3. Are there any sites with step by step instructions for planting a tank and getting a beautiful tank as a result. Step by step illustrated guides? I am not very artistic but am trained in botany and have landscaped as a summer job (lots of trimming).
4. Any other concerns?
Thanks!
Greg