Heckel Mini Biotope

[Eddie]

Yes I know, Discus are schooling fish and need to be in groups. Unfortunately I purchased a single heckel back in November and until now, he/she has been a with all my hybrids. Well I noticed that this semi-adult heckel enjoyed the company of one of my heckel crosses. I spent last weekend putting this little mini-biotope together.

Tank- 35 gallons, super fine white sand, manzanita branches, anubias tied to the tops of the branches and I plan on getting a few floating plants
Fish - 1 Heckel, 1 Heckel X, 2 cardinal tetras, 2 sterbai cats
Lighting - I rigged a standard fluorescent light up to the canopy more towards the front, very low wattage.
Filtration - Textra 90 X-Power Canister filter, using peat in one of the trays
Water parameters - PH 5.6-5.8, Temp 84F


Anything I'm missing besides more Heckels and bigger tank. I figured I make a little biotope love motel for these 2.
















Eddie

[Mr Wild]

Very nice, very nice indeed. YOur discus do not eat your neons? I have one that fancies anything smaller than him!

[Eddie]

Thanks Kath, nope these guys don't eat them. These two are the sole survivors of the original 2 dozen I picked up in October. They havent been eaten yet. Maybe they are just too quick these 2.

Eddie

[William Palumbo]

Looking good Eddie!...For me, it needs MORE WOOD! Heckles love that wood and all those tannins it leaches out. The water may get dark, but your Discus will shine...Bill

[Eddie]

Looking good Eddie!...For me, it needs MORE WOOD! Heckles love that wood and all those tannins it leaches out. The water may get dark, but your Discus will shine...Bill

Good call Bill, I'll add some tomorrow! Just trying to give them some comfort. I'll fill it out with more wood for sure.

Thanks for comment,

Eddie

[kirkp]

Looking good Eddie. Maybe they'll pair off? One can only hope. Keep us updated on what happens.

Kirk

[Disgirl]

Great looking love motel Eddie! They should have a good time in there for sure. Just wondering, what about all the pointy parts of the wood? Any chance they might get hurt on those?
Barbara

[plecocicho]

More leaching manzanita wood and floating plants will make therir love nest even cousier. Do they act like the real couple or were only few shy atempsts of courting between them?

[FLGirl1977]

Nice job Eddie! I noticed your two cardinals... no school of cardinals? Or for water quality indicators?

[Eddie]

Looking good Eddie. Maybe they'll pair off? One can only hope. Keep us updated on what happens.

Kirk

We'll see, they enjoy each other company and do a little love tapping but it will take a while for the heckel to get comfy.

Great looking love motel Eddie! They should have a good time in there for sure. Just wondering, what about all the pointy parts of the wood? Any chance they might get hurt on those?
Barbara

Thanks Barbara, the wood is fine, I've had a bunch in my main tank with all the hybrids as well and not a scrape yet (knocking on wood). LOL None of my fish dart wildy creating an explosion in the tank.

Nice job Eddie! I noticed your two cardinals... no school of cardinals? Or for water quality indicators?

Yeah Renee....put it this way, in October I had 2 dozen and now these are the sole survivors. Might add some more but it's a tight tank and didn't want to cramp the Heckels.

Thanks for the comments, off to find floating plants today!

Eddie

[Ed13]

Looking good Eddie! I was thinking the other day that perhaps a biotipical set up for pairs only may be part of the missing link to get Heckels to breed.

[Eddie]

Looking good Eddie! I was thinking the other day that perhaps a biotipical set up for pairs only may be part of the missing link to get Heckels to breed.

Thanks Ed, that is what I have read also. Somebody on here had them lay eggs in a biotope setting and then when the fish were moved, they wouldn't again.

We'll see, it doesn't matter though, I just like the look of this mini biotope, everybody happy go lucky.


Take care,

Eddie

[Scribbles]

Nice set-up. Best of luck with them. Hope to see baby pictures in the future.

Chris

[Eddie]

Nice set-up. Best of luck with them. Hope to see baby pictures in the future.

Chris

Thanks Chris, not betting on them but just making them comfortable.


Eddie

[Muzammil]

Very Nice Setup and Beautiful Fish, Eddie. Your Discus look so beautiful and healthy. Very nice indeed.
Thanx for Sharing.

Muzammil