My 90G Discus Planted Tank Obsession

[ltgoof]

My Obsession to Planted Discus Tank has been up and down after I hibernated for several years. Four months ago, I decided to resurrect my 90G tank sitting in my garage.

Specs:

HARDWARE:
Tank: 90G Hagen Tank (48" x18"x24")
Lighting: TEK Sunlight Elite 4 x 54W T5HO
Heater: Hydor Inline
Filter: Eheim 2217, Rena XP2
Substrate: Aquasoil New Amazonia
CO2: 10lb Tank with reactor (don't know the controller specs, it's a loaner from my friend pieces71 till i got mine) :lol:
Dosing: EI (Dry Ferts), Sechem Equilibrium every water change)
Water Change: 50% every week

Plants:
Foreground: Hemianthus Cuba, Mid: Blyxa Japonica, Alternanthera reineckii
Background: Pogostemon Estellata

Inhabitants:

Stendker Flachen and Blue Diamond Discus pair
Red Cherry Shrimps
Cardinal Tetras

(PIC TO DATE)
http://i403.photobucket.com/albums/pp113/arxen/DSC_2423.jpg

http://i403.photobucket.com/albums/pp113/arxen/DSC_2418.jpg

[ltgoof]

Here's how it looks 3 years ago

http://i403.photobucket.com/albums/pp113/arxen/planted%20tank/0382.jpg

Here's my previous tank journal:

Low Tech 90G Planted Tank (http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?68747-My-Low-Tech-90G-Planted-Tank&highlight=90G+Low+Tech+Planted)

[bonsai dave]

Wow. That is a very beautiful tank you have there. Keep up the good work. After showing my wife the pictures of this tank she now wants me to turn my discus tank in to a planted one like yours ..

[xKevinx]

great tank and perfect pair for it

[DLock3d]

Amazing looking tank. One day I'll put some effort into learning about co2 systems so I can get successful ground cover.

[bigbutt]

Looking good.. very nice tank and fish! Curious to know if your PH reading is stable with the CO2? Whay level is it at? I'm having to use some seachem neutral regulator and discuss buffer to keep it over 6.0. Are you using anything else other than equilibrium?

[Eddie]

Very nice tank and fish!

[Oscarsx]

Oh I like!!!

- oz

[manzpants92]

The cuba ground cover looks super good. I also like how you only put a pair in your tank! really cool

[ltgoof]

Thanks for the compliments everyone.


Looking good.. very nice tank and fish! Curious to know if your PH reading is stable with the CO2? Whay level is it at? I'm having to use some seachem neutral regulator and discuss buffer to keep it over 6.0. Are you using anything else other than equilibrium?

bigbutt,

I'm only using seachem equilibrium and some crash corals to buffer the ph. My ph swings from 7.0 to 6.8. CO2 is on timer and shuts off when the lights are off.

[ltgoof]

Took some pictures tonight... plants are doing well, HCs are lush and algae free. Blyxas are happy as well as reinickiis..

http://i403.photobucket.com/albums/pp113/arxen/DSC_2515_zps6db69628.jpg

[Eddie]

Gorgeous!

[Trier20]

Man this tank is a beauty! I love how it really makes that pair POP! Very nice job!

[ltgoof]

Thanks Edie and Trier20

[ltgoof]

Wow. That is a very beautiful tank you have there. Keep up the good work. After showing my wife the pictures of this tank she now wants me to turn my discus tank in to a planted one like yours ..

Thanks Dave. Those wilds that you have in there will be good in a planted tank. I know some wild fanatics will not agree with me, but I would like to see those wilds in a planted tank :)

[ltgoof]

Flachen wants some time alone... going solo ;)

http://i403.photobucket.com/albums/pp113/arxen/DSC_2517_zps5ae7101a.jpg

[bigbutt]

Thanks Dave. Those wilds that you have in there will be good in a planted tank. I know some wild fanatics will not agree with me, but I would like to see those wilds in a planted tank :)

I totally agree!!!!!

[damba]

Gorgeous tank :)

I live in Eastbourne - the sunniest place in Britain. That isn't really saying much...
twitter @pevenseytom

[Second Hand Pat]

Lovely tank, well done. :)

[ashtricks]

Ohhhhh.... my productivity just reduced by 500% for the day!! I am going to day dream about this setup the whole day!!

[ltgoof]

I totally agree!!!!!

hahaha bigbbutt... nudge.. nudge.. wink wink. nice wild collection and tank you have in there.

[ltgoof]

Thanks Pat for the compliment.


Ohhhhh.... my productivity just reduced by 500% for the day!! I am going to day dream about this setup the whole day!!

ashtricks, thanks for the like. I still remember when I first saw janima's planted discus tank and Dan of Gulf Coast Discus.... I was staring on my screen all day and not able to finish what I'm supposed to do at work :D we'll I guess it got stuck on my head for 4 years lol

[Joe]

AWESOME tank & fish

Joe

[sandy]

Its a beautiful tank :) and what do you call that grass bed and how much time it takes to grow

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[Lab_man]

Simply beautiful.

[Jeff O]

Gorgeous tank & fish. Great Job! :)
-Jeff

[Lab_man]

Flachen wants some time alone... going solo ;)

http://i403.photobucket.com/albums/pp113/arxen/DSC_2517_zps5ae7101a.jpg

What is the tallest plant behind the discus? I love the contrast between the discus and the plants.

[Kal-El]

That's a beautiful tank... Love the simple scape and that discus.

[ltgoof]

Thanks for all the kind words.


What is the tallest plant behind the discus? I love the contrast between the discus and the plants.

The background plant is call Pogostemon Stellata.


Its a beautiful tank :) and what do you call that grass bed and how much time it takes to grow

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2

Thanks sandy... the carpet plant is called Hemianthus Cuba or HC for short. It took me 4 months to grow those carpet plants. It's a very tricky plant, hogs so much C02 but will grow on Low to Medium Lighting.

[ltgoof]

I just want to share a video clip taken today.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltZ5IpbSapU

[discusjoe27]

That's a really lovely tank. do you have any problems keeping the temp high with those plants? so a mated breeding pair can go in a planted tank too sweet. would a 40 breeder or a 58 gallon be big enough?

[creativityasaweapon]

Beautiful fish!

[ltgoof]

That's a really lovely tank. do you have any problems keeping the temp high with those plants? so a mated breeding pair can go in a planted tank too sweet. would a 40 breeder or a 58 gallon be big enough?

Thanks Joe.

Not at all, temp is set to 82 deg and all those plants seem to thrive. Stable ph is the challenge. Stay away from tall tanks, long tanks are ideal on running planted aquarium but I dont see why you cant have a good one with a 40 breeder... My 2 cents.

[discusjoe27]

Thanks, I use to have discus, but sold them and took a break, and went in to planted tanks. now I would like to do both. would a 50 gallon tub work 36x18x18 inch for a pair, and have it planted? also what do you when your pair breeds and have babies. do you put the fry in a bare bottom tank, or do you just let it be. thanks.

[bonginator]

I absolutely love the carpet plant contrasted with the tall plant on the left. How much of the carpet plant did you start with in order to get it to spread evenly like that. Any early photos showing the before stage?

[Berylla]

Totally inspiring.

[ynot]

I really like the tank layout and the fish are gorgeous. Everything just works. Thanks for the photos.

Tony

[Sandy Clay]

That is really a beautiful tank! Love the carpet on the bottom also.

[ltgoof]

Thanks for all the compliments.

Boginator, here's the picture when I started the immersed grow out.

http://i403.photobucket.com/albums/pp113/arxen/90G%20Planted%20Tank/90G_Aquascape.jpg

[gillym]

Looks great! What is the red plant? What temp are you keeping your tank at? Ive had problems with most plants at discus temps... Im not using co2... So i doubt i can achieve this growth. Id be happy with a carpet of tenellus and thickets of a tall thin bladed plant. Any suggestions?
Thanks!



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[Charleswm]

Hopefully I'll have sometime soon to do a planted tank like that. That's awesome! thanks for sharing.

[mofoberto]

couldnt say it better myself

[BigWave]

Quick question about the HC. Did you grow that out immersed also? Or was it put in after you filled the tank with water?

[ltgoof]

Looks great! What is the red plant? What temp are you keeping your tank at? Ive had problems with most plants at discus temps... Im not using co2... So i doubt i can achieve this growth. Id be happy with a carpet of tenellus and thickets of a tall thin bladed plant. Any suggestions?
Thanks!



Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

Thanks gillym,

The red plants on the left is called Althernathera Reinickii. It wont show its color without CO2. Generraly red plants needs CO2. Most nice carpet plants needs CO2 to make them lush green carpet. I have grown HCs on Non CO2 but it takes a long time to grow them.

As mentioned on my 1st post, I keep the temp @ 82 deg F.

[ltgoof]

Quick question about the HC. Did you grow that out immersed also? Or was it put in after you filled the tank with water?

Growing HC submerged is a pain, immersed is the way to go. I have done both with good results but needs a lot of patience. I find HC hard to maintain, the constant trimming drives me nuts.

[puntific]

Growing HC submerged is a pain, immersed is the way to go. I have done both with good results but needs a lot of patience. I find HC hard to maintain, the constant trimming drives me nuts.

I'm sorry, but don't the words submerged and immersed mean the same thing? What is your distinction?

Thanks, and not trying to be a twit.

Scott

[ltgoof]

I'm sorry, but don't the words submerged and immersed mean the same thing? What is your distinction?

Thanks, and not trying to be a twit.

Scott

'Submerged' method means plants are grown fully underwater while 'Immersed' means only part of the plant is under water. water is usually the same level as the substrate.

[ALEXIS]

That is Beautiful tank and I Love the concept of one pair in a planted tank. Can you tell me the name of the red plant in your tank ?

[nguyenp209]

Beautiful Blue diamonds! Your tank is very inspiring!!!

[ltgoof]

That is Beautiful tank and I Love the concept of one pair in a planted tank. Can you tell me the name of the red plant in your tank ?

Thanks for the compliments, the red plant is called Alternathera Reineckii.

[ltgoof]

It's been a while since I updated this thread. I have adjusted my dosing regiment and photo period as I'm not able to cope up with the weekly trimmings esp the HCs (they are a pain in my back... literally!) :D It is now set to be trimmed every other week without them floating.

Here's the full tank shot taken yesterday.

http://i403.photobucket.com/albums/pp113/arxen/DSC_0933_zpsd1beff8b.jpg

http://i403.photobucket.com/albums/pp113/arxen/DSC_0934_zps31bb702c.jpg

[Disgirl]

What a beautiful tank, is that a mated pair, and if so, do they spawn in there?
Barb

[camuth8]

Amazing tank!


What a beautiful tank, is that a mated pair, and if so, do they spawn in there?
Barb

Yeah, I have the same quesion, too. Would be pretty unusual to see a mated pair in a largely planted tank, but that's what makes it better.

I have another question that I've been trying to ask also and this seems like a good place to do it. How do you siphon the substrate with all the plants on the bottom? Just asking because I'm no planted tank expert. Thanks.

[ltgoof]

What a beautiful tank, is that a mated pair, and if so, do they spawn in there?
Barb


Amazing tank!

Yeah, I have the same quesion, too. Would be pretty unusual to see a mated pair in a largely planted tank, but that's what makes it better.

I have another question that I've been trying to ask also and this seems like a good place to do it. How do you siphon the substrate with all the plants on the bottom? Just asking because I'm no planted tank expert. Thanks.

Thanks for the compliments.

Yes, they are mated/proven pair and they had fries when I got it from a friend. However I don't have a successful spawn with them, maybe it's the condition of my tank.

As for your second question, you don't need to siphon detritus on a planted tank as it is your plants food. With proper filtration and feeding habits you'll be able to keep it clean and nice. Again it is a challenge to maintain perfect balance with lighting, fertilizer/nutrient dosing. In my experience it is trial and error and involves lots and lots of patience. This system crashed once and it is a PITA to rebuild the system again. But I have learned lots from those experiences.

[caffers0]

Simply stunning

[camuth8]

As for your second question, you don't need to siphon detritus on a planted tank as it is your plants food. With proper filtration and feeding habits you'll be able to keep it clean and nice. Again it is a challenge to maintain perfect balance with lighting, fertilizer/nutrient dosing. In my experience it is trial and error and involves lots and lots of patience. This system crashed once and it is a PITA to rebuild the system again. But I have learned lots from those experiences.

So it's basically like real, outdoor plants. The dead stuff and all the gross things decompose and then are like fertilizers. Right?

[Crunchy]

Nice tank, like the chubby blue purple fish too.

[Boyd Luth]

Beautiful, simple tank....looking good :-)

[JEden8]

Beautiful setup!

[Allwin]

Stunning blues in a beautiful planted tank.. Just curious, how ur maintaining the nitrate and how/how much water got recycled every%?


It's been a while since I updated this thread. I have adjusted my dosing regiment and photo period as I'm not able to cope up with the weekly trimmings esp the HCs (they are a pain in my back... literally!) :D It is now set to be trimmed every other week without them floating.

Here's the full tank shot taken yesterday.

http://i403.photobucket.com/albums/pp113/arxen/DSC_0933_zpsd1beff8b.jpg

http://i403.photobucket.com/albums/pp113/arxen/DSC_0934_zps31bb702c.jpg