Planted 250g 20+ discus

[Ibenu]

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r78/ibenu/th_tankaprilend.jpg (http://s141.photobucket.com/albums/r78/ibenu/?action=view&current=tankaprilend.jpg) It's April's great incarnation http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r78/ibenu/th_Forsale1.jpg (http://s141.photobucket.com/albums/r78/ibenu/?action=view&current=Forsale1.jpg) Clippings ready to go to an LFS http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r78/ibenu/th_tankinearlymarch.jpg (http://s141.photobucket.com/albums/r78/ibenu/?action=view&current=tankinearlymarch.jpg) It's early humble beginnings.

Discus keeping has been exciting and scary. April warned me to keep with the angels, "you'll get hooked" she said. Oh so so true. Personalities never seen with other fish keeping for years. Bull Dog blue diamond was my "starter" discus. I have many PB now, some shovel faced (LOL) as well as some better examples of the shape they can be.

I found it neat to go from loving the colours to really admiring a great albino red cover, previously I thought the red eyes were weird. In a way I wish I could return to the pre admiration of a great discus, as now... I like the more expensive ones...

Planted tanks were my passion, now I allow the suffering of a particular plant if the discus like something over them. Trying to find the happy balance between both, yet the discus will win at most junctures when there is a choice to be made.

The tank is over 3 feet tall. and 4 feet wide.
350+ watts of t5HO lighting
Shultz aquatic soil substrate over worm castings
Metricide faux florish excel, no pressurized CO2
Micros and macros dosed lightly... Expecially low on my k2hp04
50%+ water changes weekly..

also contains small dithering no longer as interesting to me corries,endlers (all female as temp is 80+ most of the time)
one special smoky albino LF pleco.. A mutation I am happy to say is not documented yet, handsome fellow
and a Biggish gold nugget pleco who is joy to see on the rarity he appears.

[discuspaul]

Ibenu,
Your tank looks absolutely Great ! Congrats on a fine job !
Isn't April something special - a great help to a large number of people - no question !
Keep up the good work.

[Embersmom]

Hey Lisa:
I still chuckle every time I see your tank - I remember the picture you posted of you lying down inside of it when it was empty :) You've done an amazing job with it; it looks spectacular. But only 20 discus??? I think I see a bare spot or two and April's got some really nice looking fish right now and isn't she having a sale too??.....;) Thanks for posting the pics - don't think I'll ever be able to see too much of that tank.

[April]

cant blame me..i warned you..and then you rescued vancouverites distressed discus. some sales man i am..telling people not to buy discus. lol. nice tank..too bad its at the wrong house..i swear it was meant to be at the entrance of my shop..lol. very unique tank. discus look happy enough..considering you adopted already compromised ones..looks like you got them eating and happy .
20 discus is getting close to the limit with all the substrate and plants etc..id say..
my 125 is getting close to turning into a discus tank very soon. : ) a few south americans to be booted out..and then i start.

[3dees]

I love it. the only problem is that the stand and canopy are so beautiful, they distract me from the tank. did you make them?

[Jennie]

i love that stand

[wadewc]

You have a very nice planted tank and discus and you have an Amazing tank cover and stand. I like the carvings.

Wade

[Ibenu]

It's been incredibly educational April, now when I get the "good" ones from you I am prepared. Im almost over the plants I have become so infatuated with discus.

Learning what can be turned around and what can't. Learning what puts weight on. Becoming brave enough to grate frozen trimmed chicken heart right into the tank. The Beef heart flake with progro was turned my angel pair into spawning monsters!!! Increased eggs from female 2X prior to diet change!!

The tank gets grated frozen chicken heart.
Beef Heart flake (simplydiscus guy stuff with progrow)
Freeze dried black worms

Rarely NLS pellets now


I had a 50G acrylic set up to start some young ones from you (eyes on those turks you are growing in the back I hear there are still some) But it bows to much so I am another couple weeks out on that project.

Now that I know what fattens them up.. and how hard it is to do in a planted tank Im bare bottoming the next one... Im a ways off from doing bare bottom with the 250... I can do grown ones in there without heavy feedings I figure with a bit of reconfiguring of the plants...

Best advise not to buy.. I have experimented, and done well for what I have been working with... NOw I can confidently buy those extra special ones that scared the bejeepers out of me!!!

April You can expect me this week.. The prowling begins....:)

[dean9922]

Very unique looking tank and yes you are right about April. She is making us all turn into discaholics.....lol

[GrillMaster]

That has to be the most beautiful canopy I have ever seen!! The inerds are pretty great as well... :)

tc

[bonsai dave]

here are a few recent pictures of her tank and discus enjoy..

http://i1006.photobucket.com/albums/af181/bonsaidave78/030-4.jpg

http://i1006.photobucket.com/albums/af181/bonsaidave78/029-4.jpg
http://i1006.photobucket.com/albums/af181/bonsaidave78/026-5.jpg
http://i1006.photobucket.com/albums/af181/bonsaidave78/020-11.jpg
http://i1006.photobucket.com/albums/af181/bonsaidave78/015-10.jpg
http://i1006.photobucket.com/albums/af181/bonsaidave78/014-17.jpg
http://i1006.photobucket.com/albums/af181/bonsaidave78/011-14.jpg

[Ibenu]

Dave your the best!!! They sure have fattened up a lot since the pics at the top!!

[GrillMaster]

OK... That has to be the most beautiful canopy and base I have ever seen!! :thumbsup:

[Jennie]

take note of the tall step stool next to it. Like climbing the empire state building


OK... That has to be the most beautiful canopy and base I have ever seen!! :thumbsup:

[GrillMaster]

take note of the tall step stool next to it. Like climbing the empire state building

I would hang from wires to maintain that tank!! :D :D :D

[scottthomas]

The most ornate canopy and stand I have ever seen. Where did you pick that up?

[Ibenu]

It was donated by a family in West vancouver to the maritime museum in teh 1990's sat there till last year when they cleaned out their warehouse.. I really want to find out who did the cabinetry but have had no luck finding the maker, no identifying marks internally sadly. I searched and sent pictures out to fancy custom aquarium places as far east as florida with no luck then gave up....

Really wanted to talk to the maker of this and ask "why bacchus?" and say wow and thanks...

[PC1]

Holy cow!!!!! That stand and canopy is beautiful! I like to see the monster tanks set up planted. I am getting all things needed for my 150 that I plan on setting up. Almost done!

[kyubi]

beautiful tank 2 thumbs up ;)