Dad's 85 Gal Bare Bottom Tank

[marktanseng]

Here's a pic of my tank cover. I managed to find a piece of used clear acrylic that was just the right depth but not wide enough cover the whole tank top. Would this suffice?

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[Jenene]

Hey Mark,
That was pretty lucky! The fact that it covers most of the top is great. It would still be possible for one to get out between the gap but the more you cover the less the chance. So I would say absolutely yes- if you could find something a tad longer I would go with that but you have a great start with the one piece.

[marktanseng]

UPDATE: INCOMING!

- Found a wider polycarbonate cover for my tank (will this be enough?)
- Tank just finished fishless cycle
- 8 Discus arriving tomorrow (praying for a good transit)

SPECIES LIST:

golden checkerboard
Albino turquoise stripe
amana red spot green
Golden leopard
Red map tiger
Super Blue angel (BKx Superblue angeldiamond)
3R royal ruby red
white diamond highbody


All from DXcus Discus Philippines (breeder/exporter)

Any tips on acclimating them to my tank? Leaning toward floating the bags/"plop and drop"

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[Jenene]

Yay! Very exciting! Do you know the Ph of the tank they are coming from? Lots of opinions on this but if they are close I was taught by one of the best to temp acclimate and drop. Might be worth finding out.
The cover should be okay but you can always have the oddball that finds the space in between. Looks great though. Great selection. When do they arrive?

[two utes]

You have done really well to get to where you are, and wish you all the very best with your incoming shipment.
Its good that you were able to find a cover for your tank. Not only does it stop fish from jumping out, but also evaporation, and helps keep some of the heat in, and foreign object out.
The only concern i have about yours though is that the tank does not seam to have any internal supports to hold the cover and you have it resting on the upper edges of the glass, which if knocked, may cause it to fall into your tank. I hope i'm wrong, but that what it looks like from the photos.

[Jenene]

Good catch Joe!

[marktanseng]

TANK UPDATE


DAY 1 (Fish In!)

- Picked up discus from a early 6am arrival, 2-hour flight
- Upon arrival, performed a welcoming 30% WC (Aged water outside patio Temp = 26C, Tank Temp indoor =29C)
- Floated bags for 10 mins to equalize temp
- Opened bags and poured contents over net and bucket
- Slowly eased each of the 8 fish into their new home
- Fish stayed at the bottom of tank for a few hours (they seemed to be curious of their reflection on the glass) before starting to explore the tank


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DAY 2

- Tried to test feed with a few discus sinking pellets (sourced from the breeder) but fish weren't eating yet
- Did a 25% WC (sucking up the uneaten pellets)
- Fish were not as pale as yesterday, investigating curious family members coming close to the tank



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[Jenene]

Congratulations Mark! They look beautiful! You are right they will color up nicely as they settle in.

You are doing a great job with them keeping them very clean. They will repay you many times over with their growth and beauty.

Enjoy them and keep us updated on their progress. I imagine you will be spending lots of time parked in front of that tank!

Great choices as well. A nice colorful bunch!

[Second Hand Pat]

Nice looking crew Mark. Be sure to watch the ammonia levels especially the first week. You just added a huge bio-load to the tank and the filters will need time to catch up. Daily 50% water changes will help keep that in check.
Pat

[Phillydubs]

I didn't notice in the beginning that the bottom wasn't painted or covered. This could cause them to constantly be fixated on that or look to be headstadning as they poke at their reflection...

You may want to slip something under the tank next time you do a big WC, some people keep it basic with white paper, or you can get colored paper. I think it will make them happier

[Ryan925]

I didn't notice in the beginning that the bottom wasn't painted or covered. This could cause them to constantly be fixated on that or look to be headstadning as they poke at their reflection...

You may want to slip something under the tank next time you do a big WC, some people keep it basic with white paper, or you can get colored paper. I think it will make them happier

Phil you must be superman! Lifting the tank and sliding something under? Dude I'm calling you next time I need to move some furniture around

[marktanseng]

Sorry for the late reply guys! Got my discus on the same day I had a friend set up my 44 Gal nature aquarium, so I was quite busy shuttling back and forth from my house and my dad's making sure everything is settled (what have I gotten myself into... hahaha)


JENENE: Thanks for the encouragement! Since they're in my dad's house (just beside mine), they're the ones who're parked infront of the tank mostly. I just pop in early morning for a checkup and to do a WC.

PAT: Thanks for the heads up! Sofar I've been doing 30% WCs every other day but hope to step it up as things settle into a routine. Discus are still getting used to the tank and not that interested to feed yet. Didn't feed them the first day. The next I just offered them around 10-15 pcs of pellet, observe, and siphon the uneaten bits the next day to give them time to graze. Hoping they start to feed soon...need to go through the 2 kg of pellets I got from the breeder


PHILLY: That was my concern aswell! However my brother pointed out that I see a reflection on the bottom because I was looking at an angle (SIDE of the tank). But looking from the TOP of the tank, there's actually no reflection on the bottom

RYAN: It took 4 guys to lift that DRY tank (12mm thick glass), so unless Philly volunteers, it's not gonna be lifted anytime soon!

[marktanseng]

Noticed this white thing hanging on the lower fin of my Royal Ruby Red...should I be concerned?

Otherwise, this guy/gal is the hungriest and smallest one of the bunch.


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[Ryan925]

Noticed this white thing hanging on the lower fin of my Royal Ruby Red...should I be concerned?

Otherwise, this guy/gal is the hungriest and smallest one of the bunch.


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Looks potentially like a discus pimple. Usually first sign of water quality issue

[marktanseng]

Looks potentially like a discus pimple. Usually first sign of water quality issue

Whoa. Need to up my WCs then. How does 50% every other day sound?