Stendker grow out and 150G tank build

[Dhavalsp]

I agree with Ricardo over here, keep them separate...this way you can clean them alternate week.....sump would have been cheaper and easier to maintain..

[ruudvk]

I have considered a sump. The thing is, I am not really comfortable with a sump because I’m used to the canister filters I’ve had in the past… I know, not all changes are bad and maybe I would’ve been better off with a sump.

Plumbing wise, I will rethink my options here before I do my plumbing.

Thanks for your thoughts guys! Really appreciate it.

[ruudvk]

General question to everyone who is following this thread... if you see few discus from group falling back on growth, do you increase the amount of feeding so that bigger (aggressive ones) get full and runts get to eat peacefully (provided you can siphon remaining food after an hour or so...)...the only concern I see, is that fish will be over fed, appear darker, and less lively...plus excitement about food will go down...what are your thoughts?

I have noticed growth difference within my group. First, I thought it was because the bigger more aggressive fish eats more than some others. However, when I started observing more closely, the smaller ones are eating really good… Is there be a genetic explanation as well?

[ruudvk]

Week 9 update:
Placed my tank on the stand this weekend. Also made the choice to paint the background black. Going to do the hardscape this week(end), so hopefully I can transfer the fish soon!

Some pictures:
Tank and stand
tank1.jpg
First coat of paint (what have I done!)
tank2.jpg
After three coats, everything is fine and looking great
tank3.jpg

[rickztahone]

Looking great. Just avoid PB's and you should be fine.

[Las Vegas]

Is that stand made of wood or steel? Is it gonna be strong enough to support the weight?

[ruudvk]

Is that stand made of wood or steel? Is it gonna be strong enough to support the weight?

Stainless steel, 1.5" square beams.

[Las Vegas]

I like that!

[Las Vegas]

Also, I think you should turn the stand around. I see a middle support in the front but not the back against the wall. You would want more access under the tank in the front since the back is against the wall. Also, just my opinion but that stand is so close to becoming fancy enough for display. I can see some easy additions for a metal design front gate/doors with stained glass front and sides with fish on them. Ha. Nice.

[ruudvk]

Also, I think you should turn the stand around. I see a middle support in the front but not the back against the wall. You would want more access under the tank in the front since the back is against the wall. Also, just my opinion but that stand is so close to becoming fancy enough for display. I can see some easy additions for a metal design front gate/doors with stained glass front and sides with fish on them. Ha. Nice.

Haha, I am sorry Mark. I took the picture exactly in front of the tank. So it hides the middle support in the back. Will be covering the frame with a white cabinet.

[Dhavalsp]

tank looks nice...cant wait to see it all done..not sure if you have decided on lighting yet, but on tank that tall get a good one...and do research on your plants as they wont be getting much nutrients from water you would want to steer away from plants who absorb nutrients predominantly from water..

I have noticed growth difference within my group. First, I thought it was because the bigger more aggressive fish eats more than some others. However, when I started observing more closely, the smaller ones are eating really good… Is there be a genetic explanation as well?

In this case since they are stendkers, I am sure they were bred using nice big round parents... probably they belong to different batches and a difference of a week can also make a huge difference at this age...They catch up eventually as long as you follow all the basic rules.... I was observing my fish more closely today and my discus look more similar in size now then 2 weeks ago...

[Dave-UK]

Week 9 update:
tank1.jpg

Is it just the way it's sat or does the tank overhang the stand slightly? I'd be worried if it does

[ruudvk]

Is it just the way it's sat or does the tank overhang the stand slightly? I'd be worried if it does

You are right Dave, in this picture the tank overhangs the stand. This is because I needed to paint this side of the tank. After painting, I turned the tank around and placed it properly on its stand.

[ruudvk]

Update week 10/11:

Well, a lot has happened the past 2.5 weeks! New tank was set up and running and after monitoring for a while I transferred my discus to their new home. No signs of mini cycles or anything strange, they love their new space!

Still working on the lighting. Hopefully I can build the canopy this weekend.

Some sad news also. Bought a group of 25 rummy nose tetras and 10 corydoras trilineatus and placed them in my quarantine tank. Sadly, only a few rummynose survived the night. I don’t understand why, acclimated them properly and they were happy for 5 hours or so. Went to bed and the next morning I lost 15 of them. The cories are fine. Tested the water before placement and after this mishap, everything was fine. I think it is stress related, but 15!!!!

A picture of the tank (sorry for the potato quality):

tankscape.jpg

[kira ken]

rummynose tetras are very sensitive, i read that the red color on their head washout if the water parameters are not goot. Did you use new water ? maybe you had a ph swing