PDA

View Full Version : My Heckels have settled



wannafish
02-21-2011, 01:56 PM
Hello !

Wannafish here! I have been attending this forum for a couple of years and
have read a lot on here. I attribute my success in keeping discus healthy and
happy from listening to everyone here. Especially the experts. Below are my
Heckels in their 60 gal tank with two fluval 404's. I use peat, but I am working
on getting my ph down. Right now it is about 7.3. I am sure they will much
more lively and happy when I can do that.

Melissa
02-21-2011, 03:00 PM
Looks like a captive heckels heaven!!! It looks just like home!!!

Wonderfully done! Very impressive :D

Disgirl
02-21-2011, 03:35 PM
Looks really good! Seems like you have been on this forum way more than a couple years! 2004
Barb

wgtaylor
02-21-2011, 11:54 PM
Great looking setup wannafish.
Those heckels do look settled and happy. Nice job.
Bill

Second Hand Pat
02-21-2011, 11:59 PM
I like your tank too. Very natural looking and your heckels look wonderful.

plecocicho
02-22-2011, 10:19 AM
Nice tank! What are your wc regime, tanka measurments, feeding, water measurments?

wannafish
02-22-2011, 01:16 PM
Thanks for the comments. Accolades. It is good to hear from your peers.
I have learned a lot by reading a lot here. I learned about caring for Discus
with some domestics at first and then wanted some wilds. A slice of the
Amazon here at home. I have a 60 gallon tank, 48 by 15 by 18. I do water
changes once a week, but I think the fish would prefer that I do two.
I age my water in a barrel with a powerhead and a heater.

- Ph, 7.4
- Ammonia, 0
- Nitrite, 0
- Nitrate, .5
- Gh, 130 by 17 = 7.11
- Kh, 100 by 17 = 5.15

Is the math correct? I got my Discus from Snookin a little
over a year ago. I feed them frozen blood worms twice
a day, and live worms after a wc. They just love that. I use
peat. But to lower the Ph, I want to gradually add RO water.
It just doesn't seem right to have them in 7 + ph.

wgtaylor
02-22-2011, 01:43 PM
wannafish
You are doing great, they look good and colors are coming along.
ro will make a big difference, hope you have a tds and ph meter, it will sure help you.
A good homemade mix can do them well also.
Lookin good..:)
Bill

sfdiscus
02-22-2011, 06:02 PM
Hi -

1) what is your TDS?
2) You mentioned you got these a year ago. How long did it take before you thought they really settled down? (I have new wilds recently ...)

wannafish
02-23-2011, 12:45 PM
Bill
I have a couple pellet foods that I got online and I feed them color bits.
I have read a couple recipes here on simply. I would like to add something
else to their diet. Could you give me your recipe?

sfdiscus
I have a new meter, but I haven't tested my water. I am sure it is high.
I have municipal water and live 22 miles from LA. I haven't added RO water yet.
It took about 4-5 months for the Heckels to settle down and come out. When I
first got them they were really spooked, and never came out or swam around.
I put the tank in a quiet room with very little light. I have my desk right next
to the tank and the fish see me sitting there. Once they got use to my working
there they started to come out. Of course I had driftwood so they could hide
and feel protected. If the tank was bare they would have to swim to run away
and hide in the corner all the time. I don't think wilds like captivity very well.

bonghapster
02-23-2011, 03:09 PM
Good job and nice looking setup.

wannafish
01-24-2012, 07:29 PM
Hello

It's been a few months since I was here. But wanted to come back to this thread to
give an update. For about 3 or 4 months my Heckels were in the dark. Literally.
They just wouldn't come out from hiding. Asked a few questions about it here and there
and tried some things, but to no avail. I really thought something was wrong with them.
I've had a couple for about a year and a half, so they should be settled. Anyway I decided
to change the background color to make the water appear tan like the amazon. With the
black background they remained dark in color. As soon as I made the change the Heckels
came to life, and were coming up to me at the front. They would pace also until they got
fed. Now they are in my face all the time. They are happy and swimming. A lot different
than before. I changed my driftwood to make it a larger scape. I was trying to raise the
branches up at the water surface and fall down in the water, but they are a little large for
that. And it would have been hard to vacuum.

DiscusBR
01-24-2012, 07:40 PM
Thank you for the update. Nice to hear about your good results. Will you post some pics of the new setup?

TURQ64
01-24-2012, 07:43 PM
I think it looks great..?(can't tell much from those little pic's)...Heckel's look colored up nicely.

DiscusBR
01-24-2012, 08:09 PM
Thanks for adding the photos. The new background color and the fishes look great! Good job.

wannafish
01-24-2012, 08:11 PM
Hello

It's been a few months since I was here. But wanted to come back to this thread to
give an update. For about 3 or 4 months my Heckels were in the dark. Literally.
They just wouldn't come out from hiding. Asked a few questions about it here and there
and tried some things, but to no avail. I really thought something was wrong with them.
I've had a couple for about a year and a half, so they should be settled. Anyway I decided
to change the background color to make the water appear tan like the amazon. With the
black background they remained dark in color. As soon as I made the change the Heckels
came to life, and were coming up to me at the front. They would pace also until they got
fed. Now they are in my face all the time. They are happy and swimming. A lot different
than before. I changed my driftwood to make it a larger scape. I was trying to raise the
branches up at the water surface and fall down in the water, but they are a little large for
that. And it would have been hard to vacuum.

wannafish
02-20-2012, 12:18 AM
I found out the way to place larger pics on here. So to answer a early question, I've put in some larger
pics. Just an added note. I have been using ro water for water changes 70/30 tap. And I have noticed
more coloration. They really have some nice colors. Here are the larger pics.

http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg557/j7ingphotos/362704.jpg

http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg557/j7ingphotos/355680.jpg

http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg557/j7ingphotos/352704.jpg

http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg557/j7ingphotos/349704.jpg

hipflask
02-21-2012, 03:21 AM
a really nice natural looking set-up....they look happy enough:D

shoveltrash
02-21-2012, 08:51 AM
interesting that a background color change made such a difference!
VERY nice set up :)

YSS
02-21-2012, 06:30 PM
That is very interesting. I currently have a blue back ground. I wonder if I should change and see how that would change how my fish behave.

wannafish
02-23-2012, 02:01 AM
Yes, Yss,

I think I responded to one of your earlier posts about settling Heckels. I swear the change was like somebody turned on a
switch. And they have been doing great since then. Now they huddle up near the front when I come in the room, because
they want some food. Before when I came into the room, I had to look to see if they were still in the tank. I wanted to create
the color effect of the brown tannin amazon river. I think they feel right at home with this one. Try it! But don't peel off your
blue background. I would get some colored plastic, (thin sheet) and wedge it in the tank inside. I got mine from TAP PLASTICS,
online. http://www.tapplastics.com/

Jeff

wannafish
04-06-2012, 01:06 PM
Had some time on my hands, so I thought I would take a couple extra pictures.
Changed the scape again, because I am trying to conceal the piping.
Trying to get some pennywort to grow as floater, but no luck, so I found
a plastic one that helps. I think it looks natural.
Pics:



http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg557/j7ingphotos/DSC00440.jpg

http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg557/j7ingphotos/DSC00442.jpg

This one is the accurate color

http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg557/j7ingphotos/DSC00443.jpg

These guys are trying to decide which is their best side

http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg557/j7ingphotos/DSC00428.jpg


http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg557/j7ingphotos/DSC00448.jpg

heart
04-08-2012, 04:15 AM
good idea.

Rummy
04-08-2012, 10:51 AM
What color did you use? Looks great!

wannafish
04-10-2012, 11:58 AM
I bought a clear and a white and tried those two, but then settled in on
the natural. It is on the light gray side.

wannafish
06-30-2013, 11:59 AM
It's been a little over a year since my last reply post.
Since then my clan of Heckels dwindled down to two,
and I almost lost one of those. He's my survivor.
I bought two blue faced Uninis and two blue faced
Heckels. I got them from John and I don't know where
they are from. I have some current pictures. Can anyone
tell me why they all color up the same without their
blue color faces. I have had them for about 5 months.
Will they color up more distinctly as they get older.


http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg557/j7ingphotos/June%202013/decay01_zpsd5dbabfc.jpg (http://s1243.photobucket.com/user/j7ingphotos/media/June%202013/decay01_zpsd5dbabfc.jpg.html)


http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg557/j7ingphotos/June%202013/decay1_zpsb4e421bb.jpg (http://s1243.photobucket.com/user/j7ingphotos/media/June%202013/decay1_zpsb4e421bb.jpg.html)


http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg557/j7ingphotos/June%202013/decay04_zps8acc2605.jpg (http://s1243.photobucket.com/user/j7ingphotos/media/June%202013/decay04_zps8acc2605.jpg.html)


http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg557/j7ingphotos/June%202013/decay4_zpsc8d52b3b.jpg (http://s1243.photobucket.com/user/j7ingphotos/media/June%202013/decay4_zpsc8d52b3b.jpg.html)


The camera took the color in this shot. I don't know where the blues came from


http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg557/j7ingphotos/June%202013/decay2_zps474bcb5e.jpg (http://s1243.photobucket.com/user/j7ingphotos/media/June%202013/decay2_zps474bcb5e.jpg.html)

wannafish
03-13-2017, 11:00 AM
Here are some pics of an update with my tank of Heckles.
After a water change they exhibit some nice colors.
The dark one as been that way for quite awhile. Even though
it is the smallest. I think it might be female. And it has it's own
territory. I also have some colored led lights, one green and
one magenta. Tank is 60 gallon with driftwood.
Water change 75% and 25% aged tap.

DatDiscusDude
03-13-2017, 11:09 AM
Very nice and cool thread! 4 YEAR LATER! Hahah

So you have had the same group going strong for 4 years??

wannafish
03-19-2017, 11:37 AM
No, I have lost about 4 of them.
I haven't been able to bring fish
back from sickness. I have noticed
that the wilds don't respond to
medications. At least mine don't.
Need to learn more.
But try to keep the count at 6.
John is my fish agent. His fish
have been very good to me.

brady
03-19-2017, 12:03 PM
What product did you order? Also, did you put it in the tank?
Thanks
Jay

wannafish
03-21-2017, 04:57 PM
If you are talking about the background, it's from Tapp Plastics.
Very common popular distributor and usage. I bought the taupe
color, which is between white and tan. Almost light grey. With the
tannins from the almond leaves, it works out great. I have it outside
on the back.

Pipa
07-03-2017, 04:37 PM
Here are some pics of an update with my tank of Heckles.
After a water change they exhibit some nice colors.
The dark one as been that way for quite awhile. Even though
it is the smallest. I think it might be female. And it has it's own
territory. I also have some colored led lights, one green and
one magenta. Tank is 60 gallon with driftwood.
Water change 75% and 25% aged tap.

I'm glad you took out most of the twigs sticking out horizontally, it made me a little nervous... I'm jealous of your sexy discus, all mine are older juvies ( teenagers? ) right now.... Good luck with them !!!

Bucolic Buffalo
11-17-2017, 09:31 PM
Any current updates? The change you made to the background color and subsequent change (improved) behavior was brilliant.

wannafish
11-22-2017, 11:04 PM
Yes, an update.

Unfortunately, I have lost around three fish. I had 7 flourishing quite well.
Then two came down ill quickly. I don't know what it was. They turned dark
one day, two days later, died. I didn't even have chance to quarantine and
give meds. I didn't even know what it could be. I figured stomach problems.
Seemed like the flu was spreading. I have two remaining and waiting for
John to come back live with some news and fish. The two are lonely and
subdued. They need company.

wannafish
04-16-2019, 12:08 PM
It's been awhile since I posted here so I thought I would give an update
Life in the 60 gallon has been pretty good, although I have lost some of the
heckles due to stomach problems I presume. All of a sudden they quit eating,
darken up and dissipate away. It seems like I am plagued with the same problem.
I have tried medication but things happen
quickly. I think I should do a deworming treatment. Need to read up on it.
I move the driftwood around a little
every so often to change their environment, but all in all everything is thriving.
I haven't had any other wilds, but I enjoy watching my Heckles, hardly any
hostilities. Just Peace.

danotaylor
04-16-2019, 10:33 PM
Update pics?

wannafish
06-29-2019, 02:27 PM
I have some pics. I only have three fish now.
They all seem happy. And love feeding time.

wannafish
01-02-2020, 11:46 PM
Caught two fish showing off some color at the right time.
My water has some tannins in it right now and they seem to
show more color because of it.