My Custom 265 Gallon Discus Show Tank

[dww-law]

My name is Don and I have been keeping fish for a very long time. I have successfully kept and bred Moba Frontosa, Petrochromis Sp. Red Bulu Points, and all sorts of tropheus. At the moment I am still breeding my Petro's and Trophs and you can fine my fish fry for sale at trophs.com, petrochromis.com, and cyphos.com. Several months ago I came across a web site called Aquarium Design Group. Some of the pictures inspired me to re-create a tank in the pictures. I did my homework as discus are much different than Africans. I recently completed the project and I wanted to share. First let me start with the basic of the tank:

TANK
265 gallon custom glass tank made for me by Lee Mar Aquariums in Visa, CA. 84x30x24, diamond polished, beveled edges, black silicone, euro braced with starefire glass.
Center overflow with 300 gallon rated sump.
Fluval fx5 for water polishing only
All current is dispersed by use of homemade spray bars from black PVC.
Custom canopy and stand.

INSIDE THE TANK
My goal was to create a hardscape worthy of what ADG did.
100 pounds of white fine Spectraquatrz (Inert and no dust).
Several River Rocks.
2 XXL Show pieces of Malaysian drift wood provided Aquatic Warehouse in San Diego, CA.

CURRENT OCCUPANTS
Eight 5.5-6 inch Rafflesia Discus provided by Sunrise Tropical Discus Farm.
10 Sterbi Cory Cats.

I will be adding more discus at some point from a site sponsor.

Now for the pictures of the completed project. Hope you all enjoy:

http://i1307.photobucket.com/albums/s586/dww-law/DSCN2525_zps8d6b9eb5.jpg

http://i1307.photobucket.com/albums/s586/dww-law/DSCN2524_zps8b16c044.jpg

http://i1307.photobucket.com/albums/s586/dww-law/DSCN2520_zps5103128f.jpg

http://i1307.photobucket.com/albums/s586/dww-law/DSCN2519_zps13bc449d.jpg

http://i1307.photobucket.com/albums/s586/dww-law/DSCN2516_zpsf53aadec.jpg

http://i1307.photobucket.com/albums/s586/dww-law/DSCN2515_zps87b9a025.jpg

http://i1307.photobucket.com/albums/s586/dww-law/DSCN2514_zpse084a9e2.jpg

[chocolatefish]

WOW!!!! AND WOW AGAIN!!!!

[dww-law]

More shots

http://i1307.photobucket.com/albums/s586/dww-law/DSCN2510_zpsc82e5a94.jpg

http://i1307.photobucket.com/albums/s586/dww-law/DSCN2508_zps3ca9fe8e.jpg

http://i1307.photobucket.com/albums/s586/dww-law/DSCN2505_zpse7e1c7f7.jpg

http://i1307.photobucket.com/albums/s586/dww-law/DSCN2505_zpsd8830ada.jpg

[kimbo]

Those are some of the most vibrant reds I have ever seen! Your tank is a work of art. Great job.

[dww-law]

Thank you. I consider any show aquarium a work of art and it should be treated as such. This one is in my family room and is the focal point of the room.

[Eddie]

Very nice group! I generally don't like any form of pigeon blood but those remind me of the old school Red Pandas.

[pastry]

Yep, I'm with Eddie on this. Not usually a big fan of PBs but good grief that's one hell of a set and group you've got there! Looove how you have one strain. Not sure if it's the lighting or not but it looks dark yet for a dark tank those reds just glow. That's a tank I could sit in front of all day... wheww... definitely with a cocktail in hand and kick back and watch it

[dww-law]

When I took the picture, the lights were not on. Just daylight and a flash on the camera. I took more but the moderator has not approved the posting yet. The tank has a black back. I have a 3D background in my Petrochromis tank. However, I have found the 3D backgrounds tend to accumulate a lot of waste in crevices. Pain in the butt to clean. Not what I want in my discus tank. Overall, I will probably add a few more reds and then a yellow variety so the theme will be red and yellow. I was originally going to put just yellow faced red melons in the tank. However, no one really had any for sale. The good thing is my tank is very large and I have enormous filtration so I can add more discus. After keeping Africans all these years I find these discus quite fascinating. I am not to worried about tinkering with my water chemistry either. A wise man told many years ago, "Son, those who try to always tinker with their water chemistry kill their fish." Good advise that I still follow to this day. The large drift wood is doing a good job lowering my PH to 7.6. It's about 8.0 out of the tap and is hard. However, they seem to be doing well and eating the blood worms I feed them. I am going to try and get them to eat NLS discus formula. Great product and very nutritious. I feed NLS exclusively to all my other fish.

[a volar]

it will be nice to see a picture with lights on

[3dees]

tank looks great. would look better with 5 or 6 more discus and maybe a school of tetras.

[manzpants92]

thats a pretty sexy piece of drift wood right there

[SMB2]

Beautiful. The step back shots make the fish look so small. With the PB a school of Blue Diamonds would really set off the colors. The only problem I see is doing large volume water changes in the living room. Can't say I could get away with that!

[chipmunk636]

Wow beautiful setup !!!

What kind of maintenance this tank have ?

It look perfectly clean good job!

[Eddie]

Looove how you have one strain.

Yup, one strain/type tanks are most impressive in my opinion.

[ZX10R]

I have a 3D background in my Petrochromis tank. However, I have found the 3D backgrounds tend to accumulate a lot of waste in crevices. Pain in the butt to clean. Not what I want in my discus tank.

That is the #1 reason I took mine out they are more trouble then they are worth when it comes to keeping your tank and water clean. Love the tank and fish you have a great setup there.

What is the footprint of that tank?

[flexo248]

so you are the one that brought all the 5.5-6 inch Rafflesia Discus provided by Sunrise Tropical Discus Farm(tony is a nice guy)...... i love rafflesia..... but can afford any yet... i just missed the xmas sell there is always next year.....

good luck with them...

[oldfar]

All I can say is I need this tank.And the discus.

[decoy50]

Your setup looks great! By going well below the stocking guidelines of one fish per ten gallons, your eight fish in the 265 really shows off their shoaling behavior. They are grouped together in nearly all of your shots.

[dww-law]

Tank is 84x30x24.


That is the #1 reason I took mine out they are more trouble then they are worth when it comes to keeping your tank and water clean. Love the tank and fish you have a great setup there.

What is the footprint of that tank?

[dww-law]

I am use to doing large water changes. I change 50 percent weekly in my 215 gallon Petro tank as well as my Frontosa and Troph tanks. Because the tank is so large, and I have massive filtration, I do not need to change as much in my discus tank (I have 22 full grown Petros and 19 trophs in one tan). 30 percent water change in the discus tank every Friday works fine. 0 nitrites, 0 ammonia, and I can't read the nitrate level because it is so low. My only issue is I am trying to get the discus to eat NLS rather than the blood worms they were raised on. I would never feed beef heart to discus. Sorry I know it goes against conventional school of thought. However, in the natural order of the food chain fish don't eat cows:). The cory cats in the tank do a great job of eating what the discus don't eat. I do want to get some more discus and maybe some schooling tetras but I am undecided. Thanks for all the nice comments. This is my first venture into the discus husbandry but I am finding it very interesting reading about others experiences keeping these beautiful fish.
Don


Wow beautiful setup !!!

What kind of maintenance this tank have ?

It look perfectly clean good job!

[joeymac]

I wont feed my fish beefheart .... in the natural order of the food chain fish don't eat cows:).


i once read somewhere that in the Amazon they survive solely off of NLS discus formula sinking pellets.


Lol nice tank I'd like to see a couple pics with the lights on. I also love the look of a bunch of fish of the same strain

[dww-law]

True, but its safe to say that nowhere in the history of the world has a fish eaten a cow in its natural environment:).

I am waiting for some new lights to arrive (LED's). The ones I have are T5 marine lights that are extremely bright and meant for corals. The discus hide if I turn them on. They like the moonlights though.

[Eddie]

i once read somewhere that in the Amazon they survive solely off of NLS discus formula sinking pellets.




LMAO

[Discus-n00b]

i once read somewhere that in the Amazon they survive solely off of NLS discus formula sinking pellets.

LOL!!!

Nice tank and I love the color of those fish.

[discusplantedtanklover]

Hey gorgoues set up, hat off for it.

[shoveltrash]

wow -- really impressive setup & GORGEOUS group of Discus! please do keep updating :)
love the photos

[Len]

Wow, amazing tank. That stand really finishes the whole thing off nicely.

The only group of fish I've ever had touch NLS pellets is a group of juvies that would eat almost anything. Other than that, it sinks, sits there and then gets vacuumed out.

[a volar]

i once read somewhere that in the Amazon they survive solely off of NLS discus formula sinking pellets.


Lol nice tank I'd like to see a couple pics with the lights on. I also love the look of a bunch of fish of the same strain

LOL........

Again, will love to see a picture with lights on.

[Mariowa]

Very nice aquarium, also it looks you are keeping it top clean
Also the looks great
Love it
Good luck and enjoy the discus

[dm.67]

Really like what you have done so far. I think your choice of colour in the fish rocks sand and cabinet tie things together really well. The orange on the fish ties in with the cabinet. The yellowy beige markings match with the rocks, and the white compliments the sand. The dark background and wood set the fish off great. Perfect choice really. If you do get more fish please, please just get more of the same. It might be boring to some people, but I think as an overall look it will be much classier.

[dww-law]

Not sure what kind of fish I am going to add as far as discus go. I personally like yellow faced red melons. Or, I might add a yellow based discus to go with the red rafflesia. Not sure. The downside is the Rafflesia cost a ton of money when they are 5.5-6 inches (As most discus do at full size). My wife picked the rafflesia and she loves the look. By the way, two have definitely paired up. Don't have any room for breeding tanks since I have my Petrochromis fry in them right now.

[DiscusLoverJeff]

Beautiful setup and great looking PB discus.

[dww-law]

Pictures with lights on:

http://i1307.photobucket.com/albums/s586/dww-law/DSCN2563_zps2071ce3a.jpg

http://i1307.photobucket.com/albums/s586/dww-law/DSCN2566_zpsb4a6f4e4.jpg

http://i1307.photobucket.com/albums/s586/dww-law/DSCN2571_zpsbd00071c.jpg

http://i1307.photobucket.com/albums/s586/dww-law/DSCN2569_zps5e334ada.jpg

http://i1307.photobucket.com/albums/s586/dww-law/DSCN2568_zps6b352fa6.jpg

http://i1307.photobucket.com/albums/s586/dww-law/DSCN2567_zps17c06003.jpg

http://i1307.photobucket.com/albums/s586/dww-law/DSCN2566_zpsb4a6f4e4.jpg

[YSS]

Nice setup. Your discus look great. I don't see a need to add anymore discus. :) I would add a nice big shoal of tetras and more corys and may be some fancy plecos. But of course, we know all too well what it feels like wanting to add more discus to our tanks. Good luck!

[wannafish]

Hello

Beautiful setup. I think everyone here wants a tank that large. I think another group of Discus with color would be a nice addition.
There might be more interaction, which would create interest. I can't help but think that adding a bit of green would help make this a
more natural scene. I think adding a Aponogeton Ulvaceus or a couple swords would be just it. I have a thin white sand substrate and what I've
done, is get a shallow clear plastic tray with some soil covered with sand and put the plant in that. It's just enough to aid
in the root growth and have the plant live. It's less of eye sore than a plastic pot.

Jeff

[chaoslite]

Nice setup. Your discus look great. I don't see a need to add anymore discus. :) I would add a nice big shoal of tetras and more corys and may be some fancy plecos. But of course, we know all too well what it feels like wanting to add more discus to our tanks. Good luck!

+1

Mishka

[pastry]

yep, I feel the same. no need to add more. you've managed to create that point where less is more

[shoveltrash]

lovely! I personally would add a school of small shoaling fish perhaps - would not add more Discus, what you have is fabulous!

[dww-law]

I am going to add a school of some sort of tetras (Lemon, Bleeding Heart, Rummy nose or Harlequin Rasbora. I still want a few more discus. Can't help myself:)

[dww-law]

I definitely have a pair. I am watching them spawn on the large piece of driftwood. The female has laid hundreds of eggs and the male is fertilizing them. I took some pictures:). I will post later.

[dww-law]

Excuse the pictures. They were with my iphone pressed against the glass:

http://i1307.photobucket.com/albums/s586/dww-law/DSCN2588_zpscc67ebe3.jpg

http://i1307.photobucket.com/albums/s586/dww-law/DSCN2585_zpsd9425ab5.jpg

http://i1307.photobucket.com/albums/s586/dww-law/DSCN2587_zpsf9e385e5.jpg

http://i1307.photobucket.com/albums/s586/dww-law/DSCN2584_zpsff56e36d.jpg

[dww-law]

The parents are now guarding and chasing all other fish away. Not sure if they will hatch as my water is pretty hard. Although my PH is down to about 7.4 from its normal 8+. Those large driftwood pieces are doing a good job.

[YSS]

I am going to add a school of some sort of tetras (Lemon, Bleeding Heart, Rummy nose or Harlequin Rasbora. I still want a few more discus. Can't help myself:)

I currently have a shoal of about 30 lemons and I really like them. I've had rummies, cardinals, and bleeding hearts as well. Liked them all as well.

[ROOK45]

beautiful set up......update on the pair?

[pastry]

alright DWW... I'm calling BS on you... your pics must be photo shopped because I don't see any doo doo anywhere :p

looking great my friend! and hey, if they are eating like crazy and getting down to business then they're happy as can be! i still don't see any poop though... what's your secret? spray bar down low across the substrate or did you just vacuum before taking the pics?

[ROOK45]

Wow pastry you right no **** anywhere. I want to know what the secret too. I know as soon as I'm done vacuuming they poop some more

[crazycracker]

Beautiful Set-Up!!!!

[dww-law]

The poop seems to gather in one spot just behind the left piece of driftwood. Makes it very easy to clean. I try to keep all my tanks as pristine as possible. However, changing water every day is not needed. I only change water once a week about 35-40 percent. I don't age the water either. I put prime in the tank and refill it with a garden hose. I have always over filtered my tanks. This one has a 300 gallon rated sump and an fx5 to polish water. The water has a yellow tinge to it because of the driftwood but it is crystal clear. I add no chemicals to lower ph. However, the driftwood seems to be keeping the ph at 7.4. It is 8.0 out of the hose.

I was worried about keeping discuss because of everything I read. However, I have found they are easy to keep. Actually they are easier to keep than tropheus.

My pair have spawned 3 times. However, I have not moved them to a breeding tank so the fry have not hatched. I did add 4 albino leopard snake skins from micheal beals. They are by far my favorite. They are stunning. I also added 25 harliquin rasboras. However, a few have been sucked into the sump so I think I needed to add a larger schooling fish.

[dww-law]

Ps I weened them off bloodworms. They all eat tetra color bits and nls. I only feed them bloodworms every week or so.

[GlennR]

Great tank & fish.

Your river rocks reminded me of the beautiful multi-colored along the shore of Lake Huron, near Detroit. We camped there years ago and were so fascinated by all the different colors of smooth rocks covering the shore. We gathered them like seashells and hauled about 50+ lbs back home to NC. There were purple, brown, tan, black, white, and I think orange rocks. I don't know how so many separate colors of rocks were on one beach. I'd love to go back sometime and collect more. They'd be wonderful in a tank like yours.

[Ziyaadb]

Stunning mate really stunning

[nguyenp209]

Beautiful Discus!!!!