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Thread: My First Discus Aquarium!

  1. #1
    Registered Member
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    Dane Albrecht

    Default My First Discus Aquarium!

    So Im starting my thread for my first ever discus aquarium. Been wanting one for ages and im now finally biting the bullet. Done a lot of research all over including SD and have come up with a design and setup that i feel will work for me. ]

    Going to be doing a 250 litre barebottom discus aqaurium. this will have a 45 litre sump with an algae scrubber, but will probably use moss on the algae scrubber. alongside the sump will be an 80 litre reservior to hold water and pre-heat before water changes. in the tank will be 3 decent size pieces of driftwood with java fern and anubius attached ( i already have these waiting in a tank ).

    im planning on using around 5-6 litres of k1 fluidized media in the sump with a small amount of mechanical filtration ( a filter sock and some sponge)

    sump is already built, just need to drill a return hole for the ATS and it will be ready.

    To do still:
    -Build steel stand (already have the steel)
    -Clad the stand ( already have the supawood)
    -Drill the tank
    -Plumb the tank
    -build lighting unit box (already have the lights im going to use)

    Equipment for the tank that i have as of now:
    -3500lph sebo pump for return and algae scrubber
    -100w heater for reservior
    -200w heater for aquarium (might need another)
    -1200lph pump to fill tank during water changes
    - standard old circulation pump for aging reservoir
    -2 temperature controllers
    -extension leads
    -3ft dual oddysea lights( without mounts)
    - 1 wavemaker in case
    -air pump for fluidized media

    On its way is 2 geyser timers to run the lights for the algae scrubber and tank and will get some switches for all the pumps etc.

    The tank is 122cm x 45cm x 45cm with 10mm glass and euro braced.

    Will post photos of everything when i have time!

  2. #2
    Registered Member Jenene's Avatar
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    Default Re: My First Discus Aquarium!

    Welcome Dane! You have found a great community of discus keepers here to hang out with, ask questions and share your tank. One thing I tell everyone new (because I never did and have always regretted it) start a journal in the Journal section. You can post as you go along and it is really fun to look back on after some time has passed. Everyone loves following a new start up along.

    It sounds like you have everything planned out. I don't know anything about algae scrubbers. Hoping someone else will chime in on that one.

    You are making the right decision going bare bottom. It will save you a lot of time and grief. I thought about putting in a thin layer of sand but just love the ease of cleaning the bare bottom tank.

    So it looks like you have everything except for discus. What are your plans for stocking? What varieties, how big, how many? Do you have a supplier in mind yet?

    Yes, please post pics when you are ready. We love pics!

    Good luck! - Jenene
    "You can't trust water: Even a straight stick turns crooked in it." -W.C.Fields

  3. #3
    Registered Member Debow's Avatar
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    Devon Cropley

    Default Re: My First Discus Aquarium!

    Welcome aboard ! I assume the discus bug as already bit you by now, if not it soon will!

  4. #4
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    Dane Albrecht

    Default Re: My First Discus Aquarium!

    So finally here are some photos of what is going on so far.
    The sump has its divisions done and ive cut and welded some of the steel. Just a few pics i have managed to snap.

    IMG-20170729-WA0002.jpg
    IMG-20170729-WA0004.jpg
    IMG_20170813_131301__1502739779_154.73.140.116.jpg
    I will post more photos and give more info as there are more developments.

    Another forum member named Edgar has kindly added me to a South African Whatsapp group for discus so I can now source better quality locally bred discus!!

  5. #5
    Registered Member fishbubbles's Avatar
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    Kevin

    Default Re: My First Discus Aquarium!

    I love how you incorporated your initials into the division.

  6. #6
    Registered Member Jenene's Avatar
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    Default Re: My First Discus Aquarium!

    That is very cool. You guys and your sump builds! That is amazing...nicely done. Can't wait to see the next step.
    "You can't trust water: Even a straight stick turns crooked in it." -W.C.Fields

  7. #7
    Registered Member AquaWoman's Avatar
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    Amy

    Default Re: My First Discus Aquarium!

    Quote Originally Posted by Ole_Fishy View Post
    So Im starting my thread for my first ever discus aquarium. Been wanting one for ages and im now finally biting the bullet. Done a lot of research all over including SD and have come up with a design and setup that i feel will work for me. ]

    Going to be doing a 250 litre barebottom discus aqaurium. this will have a 45 litre sump with an algae scrubber, but will probably use moss on the algae scrubber. alongside the sump will be an 80 litre reservior to hold water and pre-heat before water changes. in the tank will be 3 decent size pieces of driftwood with java fern and anubius attached ( i already have these waiting in a tank ).

    im planning on using around 5-6 litres of k1 fluidized media in the sump with a small amount of mechanical filtration ( a filter sock and some sponge)

    sump is already built, just need to drill a return hole for the ATS and it will be ready.

    To do still:
    -Build steel stand (already have the steel)
    -Clad the stand ( already have the supawood)
    -Drill the tank
    -Plumb the tank
    -build lighting unit box (already have the lights im going to use)

    Equipment for the tank that i have as of now:
    -3500lph sebo pump for return and algae scrubber
    -100w heater for reservior
    -200w heater for aquarium (might need another)
    -1200lph pump to fill tank during water changes
    - standard old circulation pump for aging reservoir
    -2 temperature controllers
    -extension leads
    -3ft dual oddysea lights( without mounts)
    - 1 wavemaker in case
    -air pump for fluidized media

    On its way is 2 geyser timers to run the lights for the algae scrubber and tank and will get some switches for all the pumps etc.

    The tank is 122cm x 45cm x 45cm with 10mm glass and euro braced.

    Will post photos of everything when i have time!
    Sounds like it's going to be nice! Look forward to seeing it progress.

  8. #8
    Registered Member Neptune's Avatar
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    Default Re: My First Discus Aquarium!

    What is going on with the cube stacked on top? Part of the sump?

  9. #9
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    Dane Albrecht

    Default Re: My First Discus Aquarium!

    my plan is to incorporate an algae scrubber into the system.
    if it doesnt work out,i turn it into a wet dry

  10. #10
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    Dane Albrecht

    Default Re: My First Discus Aquarium!

    did some work on the stand yesterday. the frame has been built and painted. need to put a wood top on and clad. Also had the two holes for the tank drilled. 52mm drain hole for the sump and a 40mm hole for water changing. weir was also installed around the drain hole

    just some photos of what it looks like so far. as you can see its a bit cramped under the stand
    IMG_20170819_192843__1503223966_154.73.140.116.jpgIMG_20170819_192855__1503224159_154.73.140.116.jpgIMG_20170819_192903__1503224205_154.73.140.116.jpg

  11. #11
    Registered Member Neptune's Avatar
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    Default Re: My First Discus Aquarium!

    Looking fantastic!
    You should consider a roller mat filter in that top box on the sump. I love mine!

  12. #12
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    Dane Albrecht

    Default Re: My First Discus Aquarium!

    Quote Originally Posted by Neptune View Post
    Looking fantastic!
    You should consider a roller mat filter in that top box on the sump. I love mine!
    Going to be having filter socks on the aquarium, so no need for the roller mat. The purpose of that top box will be for nitrate reduction, hence an algae scrubber

  13. #13
    Registered Member Neptune's Avatar
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    Default Re: My First Discus Aquarium!

    You will learn to hate filter socks very quickly! LOL..

  14. #14
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    Dane Albrecht

    Default Re: My First Discus Aquarium!

    Quote Originally Posted by Neptune View Post
    You will learn to hate filter socks very quickly! LOL..
    Ive heard this lol

  15. #15
    Registered Member Ryan925's Avatar
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    Default Re: My First Discus Aquarium!

    Quote Originally Posted by Ole_Fishy View Post
    Ive heard this lol
    Exactly why I designed my sump to avoid them. Sump is supposed to be for ease of maintenance. Why have something in it that needs to be cleaned daily or every other day
    Im not illiterate...only my phone's auto correct is

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