is this a good set up for my first discus tank?

[Coralife205]

what about just big pebbles that is sold as gravel at petsmart. (i work there). it will be big enough that it cant mix in withthe flourite.

[Disgirl]

No those wouldn't work at all. You see, since you are keeping discus, they really require things to be done differently to keep them from getting sick. Most people seem to keep them bare bottom, glass only, with some plants on wood or in pots, sitting on the glass. See my tank pic in the Photo Gallery here, "My 1st picture here" from a couple weeks ago. See the tank bottom? This is done to make it easy to keep the tank bottom clean. Discus make lots of large poo, eat lots, and there is a lot of waste produced everyday. This waste and uneaten food will just collect in the large gravel,or rocks, where they can't get to it and neither can you to clean it up. BUT you can have substrate for your large and beautiful plant collection you want. The plants will grow well in the sand, and all debris will sit on top of the sand where you can easily vacuum/siphon it up. Your tank and water will stay quite healthy. You can look through the pics in the photo gallery and see lots of tanks with sand and plants and wood. Look at Chad's tank set up in the Discus challenge going on here. He can tell you all about setting it up.
Barb

[scottthomas]

I too like to use black sand in a planted aquarium. It is a great contrast against the green plants. However, I agree with others here who suggest that you will be unhappy with the black substrate and discus. The fish really will turn darker and lose much of thier color. I would go with white sand-keep it easy to vacuum and clean.

Scott

[Coralife205]

well, im not going to change the whole thing to white sand. but i will the forground. the rest of the flourite will be coverd with plants it wont make a differnce. but the foreground ill make a light colord sand. you all convinced me. okay, now, where to buy the sand. should i get it from ADA or pool filter sand or play sand for little kids sandboxes from home depo / lows ?

[Disgirl]

Yes, just plain sandbox sand will be fine. Some use the pool filter sand also. Lowe's and Home Depot both have sand. Cheap too! I think having part of your tank with sand will be a good compromise. Just an idea for you, make the gravel and plant area higher so that debris will naturally fall into the lower sand area where your can see it and collect it for removal. Post a pic of your tank so we can all see how beautiful it is when you get it set up, even without fish yet.
Barb

[Coralife205]

[Eddie]

Wow, the wood looks great in there. Should be a killer tank!

Take care,

Eddie

[Coralife205]

haha i just set that up an hour ago.

[Coralife205]

[Coralife205]

http://s387.photobucket.com/albums/o...view=slideshow

[Scribbles]

Wow, that tank is going to look spectacular with discus in it.

Chris

[Coralife205]

is this better look?

[Disgirl]

Please check out post #1 Brunette to Blond in Discus Discussions right under Beginners. Look at both You tube videos.
Barb

[Coralife205]

can you please send a link. i cant find it.

[Disgirl]

In General Discus Discussion it is the 3rd one down, Brunette to Blond. GDD is right under the Basics for Beginners. Good luck with your tank.
Barb