Restarting my favorite hobby, 80 gallon tank, and quarantine tank

[fishman667]

Hello, My name is Robbie , been keeping fish now for over 10 years now, never have kept discus before though.
I really like these fish and am totally capable of handing this beautys. So the story so far goes, that my wife and i are getting our own place, so before we were about to move in , one of her friends had been talking to her and he had an aquarium for sale, i decide to jump on it after i had been out of the hobby for a good 4-5 years, got a great price and decide to do some little changes from the Arrowana tank that is was before, her buddy had upgraded cause his fish couldn't turn around in it well, as it is a long 73" by 13" by 18" (LxWxH) i brought it home and decided to clean it up.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3924/14427417831_d8172c2004_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nYUhFi)
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3836/14429466792_1171ea96fe_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nZ5MLd)
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5577/14430780285_a933469b43_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nZcwdD)
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2937/14407665346_c0e5327de2_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nXa3Xd)
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3913/14407663686_9e9f9be3f5_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nXa3sA)

went to the store, bought a couple add-ons ;);)

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3840/14450967383_2c17c07f2b_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/o1YZ94)
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3874/14244182408_92b5029a82_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nGHaaS)

so then we moved into the new place


https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3910/14431003615_7a0184de49_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nZdEBa)

got all the decorations ready, now the waiting for the cycle to begin !



https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3925/14244405910_d672040f55_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nGJiBm)
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2905/14244409380_027f1aeb6d_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nGJjDb)



now lets fast forward a couple weeks, got some smaller fish to help cycle as well

some cardinals, some neons
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2925/14429762454_47ac5bb8bb_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nZ7iDQ)

some live plants

finally i thought it was time to add some discus cause my LFS had a small sale on them

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5502/14407752726_58a249a63b_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nXauVL)


https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3916/14427519301_7204aab4ef_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nYUNQM)
they loved it from what i could tell
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3855/14244216539_f1f74293d0_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nGHkjk)
and yes i have a little runt that i couldn't say no too at the fish store, i couldn't leave him all by himself, i understand he has a little bit of a stunted growth, but i still love him


https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5531/14427431921_ce9c46a82b_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nYUmSe)even the cat loves the fish



https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5571/14427487091_d38e704d35_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nYUDgr)full shot


Now i always wanted to have an led setup, so i decided to make some changes, got rid of the hang on filter, got a fluval 406.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3842/14429705794_9529b9855e_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nZ71NW)also got 2 gold spotted plecos and my extremly photogenic turquoise-bluediamond-uatumas



https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5534/14244229078_50b5c46e9a_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nGHp3w)another addition, Tangerine Dream

he is now top of the peking order but they all get along so well
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5114/14244227108_f4b7412366_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nGHosy)
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3900/14429693324_368494cdf5_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nZ6X6W)

did a bit of a rescape

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2927/14427459531_1e64815d19_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nYUv5g)

got my led fixture today

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5521/14450996343_a7ee7302be_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/o1Z8Kn)

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2910/14450995703_8a479d4f69_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/o1Z8yk)
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2913/14244216420_0c3f2fb3e5_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nGHkhh)

got a really good deal on this mated pair so i had to pick them up
time to turn off the lights and see what happens :o:p:bandana:
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3853/14244206438_6f9c3a6048_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nGHhjb)



https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3895/14407681966_92d0332e4e_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nXa8TL)they love it! yay!
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5522/14244351987_a4ac29c57e_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nGJ2zD) The main key to discus is maintenance, so i did water changes and tests everyday, 33 percent water changes, vacuum 1/3 gravel every time, plus salts, and dichloride chemicals, stored water for 24hrs with airstone.


will post more progress tonight!

any questions ? lemme know :)

[Rudustin]

I personally think, in spite of the fact that all of my five tanks are bare bottom, that you have done a great job with this tank. Many will state that a planted tank with so much gravel could be a hazard eventually and some will even comment that they hope you have quarantined all fish before adding them to this one tank. Others will perhaps feel that the very young discus that you first got are stunted and not worth putting with quality fish that you did eventually purchase( the large pigeon bloods in the last photo). However, I think you have been incredibly talented and hard working to establish a tank that makes you and anyone seeing these photos quite happy with the progress and your care and design. The lighting, the stand that you completely redid and the frame work around the glass is wonderful. I love the picture of the cat looking at the tank on the foot stool! LOL! I have cats but they don't even seem to notice that there are five tanks in my home! Water parameters seem great as well. Good luck and congratulations for doing an extraordinary job. Rufus

[MURBROOKE]

Wow.that looks very well...you have some great looking fish there...keep the photos coming...hope it all goes well for you...

[fishman667]

Heres my Bare Bottom quarantine/ fry tank / medical centre for them

Got this whole setup from a good friend for free
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3868/14245092420_1f4c38e335_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nGMPFJ)
led's once again
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5037/14245242507_bc3a371bc3_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nGNAir)

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2916/14245092890_cc2cb4985d_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nGMPPQ)

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2939/14428334771_f5a4c4cd68_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nYYZfB)


Got some catapa leaves off of ebay , helps soften the water, just testing this tank out at the moment, don't plan on putting fish in for a month now after i had already quarantined , I'm gonaa save it for the fry that i soon think i am gonna have :) as my mated pair seem really happy and may spawn soon!


https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5472/14451748683_9e2c62697e_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/o23ZoK)

[fishman667]

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2935/14451012893_4db0cc0643_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/o1ZdEH)
More of the cat ! she loves all the fish!

[RodneyL001]

you posted on the best section, most of the people here have planted tanks, although many on Simply Discus swear by BB tanks, there are many many of us who have planted tanks, it looks like you know what you are doing. If I couldn't keep Discus in a planted tank, I probably would keep other fishes like Angles, but that is IMHO, take a look at some of the post here, experienced hobbyist with some beautiful planted tanks.

[Tictok]

Great job on the tank and I really enjoyed viewing your progress... and of course that hilarious cat of yours!

[Rudustin]

Love the cat!!

[scrappinjaime]

What a beautiful set up! Congratulations.

[Mikemeets]

It looks great i gotta say, all the best and hope all ur discus are getting along, keep us updated on ur waterchanges, spawning and growth of your juvies :)

[fishman667]

so i caught her in the act of breeding!



https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5158/14430466144_5d5c9b3102_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nZaUQq)

[fishman667]

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3923/14408463236_2e5b110d8c_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nXe98W)

We have eggs

[fishman667]

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3867/14451762623_e59b97acf1_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/o244x6)

[fishman667]

this is the male, i bought him as a golden pigeon, is that his true name?
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2920/14245127417_227dbd439c_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nGN168)

[fishman667]

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5550/14430444094_a351c7ec10_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nZaNhf)

Did a bit of a rescape, waiting for this new driftwood to sink as well

[warblad79]

The other smaller Discus are thin

[fishman667]

yeah in those pics i agree, ill upload some more tomorrow of how they look now, they have grown a ton since i have had them

[Mikemeets]

Keep us up to date on the eggs and if u get any babies

[fishman667]

So I was gonna let nature take it's course with the first batch of eggs, and see how the parents were gonna do, anyways this morning there were none left , either the parents ate them or my two gold spotted plecos did, so I went to the store and made my own egg guard, so next time they lay eggs I will block them off, until then the pair look like they aren't planning on stopping, so in a couple days here i will post the next batch .

[Mikemeets]

Yup could of been the parents, put a net around it. I see lots of people put a plastic grill around their eggs for them to hatch so try that out

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

[rickztahone]

I'm not sure if those are fake plants on the right or non-aquatic plants. If the latter, I would suggest moving them out of the tank. They will decay slowly and really mess up your tank.

[fishman667]

I'm not sure if those are fake plants on the right or non-aquatic plants. If the latter, I would suggest moving them out of the tank. They will decay slowly and really mess up your tank.

They are just plastic , don't worry , all my decorations get cleaned regularly in fresh tank water

[fishman667]

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2916/14428214461_1f3da78d69_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nYYnui)

[fishman667]

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5567/14477863291_e8d2bf43d9_b.jpg got a new pair today, they are in the quarantine / breeder tank, got them from my favourite dealer, same place i got my PB's

[fishman667]

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3856/14294765628_70d080ac3e_b.jpg
the setup as of today , the reds are in the breeder quarantine tank, and my PB's are about to lay eggs again in the show tank

[Mikemeets]

Dude great setup!

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

[fishman667]

This is gonna be there home for a bit, hopefully we can see eggs within the next month

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3836/14299346839_b6a1ddbded_b.jpg

[fishman667]

EGGS! once again i have eggs, this was a process though, the male wasn't giving the female enough time to lay all her eggs and he was trying to eat them, so i have a guard around the eggs now, but this is how many they got for there 2 spawn in 9 days!
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3919/14299329840_8fed24a631_b.jpg

[fishman667]

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3895/14484728414_00837e474a_b.jpg

[fishman667]

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2920/14299341049_f30cf60dd5_b.jpg

[fishman667]

Look how bad he wants to eat them, what should i do to prevent for next time?

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3857/14484714682_687b860c84_b.jpg

[fishman667]

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2899/14484713012_94afe75a90_b.jpg
Protecting the eggs

[Mikemeets]

Lol

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

[Mikemeets]

How do you know if the male has seeded the eggs tho???

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

[fishman667]

How do you know if the male has seeded the eggs tho???


I don't know if he has fertilized them this time as I had to put the cone on right away , but last week he had fertilized them and left them for 24 hours so I didn't put a cone on. By the next day someone had eaten the eggs, I didn't see who did it. But with these ones I'm hoping he did , if not whatever, I'm putting another breeding cone on the other side of the tank to give them options , maybe he will change his mind if he has a new place for the eggs.

[Mikemeets]

Yup try that out aswell... does the male go after the female by dragging across the eggs?

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[fishman667]

Yup try that out aswell... does the male go after the female by dragging across the eggs?

He did the first time, but not the second time!??!?!?! why! lol

[Mikemeets]

Ow well lets c lol cant always check up on them doing their business lol keep us posted once u get wigglers :)

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

[fishman667]

UPDATE: so i did a bit of another rescape, 2 breeding cones, 2 pairs in one tank, everyones doing really good , all normal water quality levels, now the cat enjoys! :)https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5478/14335615058_2a4cd60643_b.jpg

[fishman667]

Update! lots of eggs as well!


so lots of rescapes and what not, lets start with number 1!

i got a new guy from a local ad, he looked good at first but i found out very soon something was wrong with him and he ended up passing

https://flic.kr/p/o7yukv

[fishman667]

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5555/14514086779_8c5818ca14_b.jpg

[fishman667]

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3842/14700756045_8c9789a1d2_b.jpg

swimming with everyone

[fishman667]

this is my main breeding pair, they have laid eggs almost 7 times now, had wigglers once, but waiting for a bigger batch
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2917/14698429104_4f5fdeb631_b.jpg

[fishman667]

rescape of the main tank
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2900/14720690213_6f44561507_b.jpg

[fishman667]

the male doing his thing right beside the female laying eggs
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3846/14514158948_85de522692_b.jpg

[fishman667]

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5566/14700810885_3f15664860_b.jpg

lots of eggs this time

[fishman667]

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5571/14700467192_1e5dbbfa64_b.jpg

got some wigglers this time, not enough to save, so i eventually took off cage

[fishman667]

so i waited another week, and we got more eggs, this time i wanted to see how good of parents they were and not put a protective shelf around eggs
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2927/14720662283_138aa99ca8_b.jpg

[fishman667]

the momma was doing really good at picking off the old and bad eggs, she eventually got too hungry and ate them all

[fishman667]

so after this batch i did a filter change and had a really bad nitrite spike and nitrate spike, so i moved my pair to my main show tank till it gets better

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5588/14514126818_8ffc3830e3_b.jpg

[fishman667]

Going to start a new BB project 110 gallon :)


https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5586/14710003401_a78ec59eb5_b.jpg

[fishman667]

just leak testing it before anything happens


https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3869/14710787284_5cbd6aeb42_b.jpg

[fishman667]

Update: so today I awoke to about 75 babies that have hatched out of there eggs , not yet free swimmers , but this batch is looking really good and both parents are tending to the eggs really well and are helping the Fallon ones back onto the cone :) so excited , can't wait to set up my 100 gallon grow out project

[fishman667]

Update #2 , got a brand new sump pump , eheim 1262 , building my sump right now , can't wait to get that going on my drilled 100gallon bow front with built in overflow 2" intake , 1 inch return
Anyone ever used this sump pump before ? It's 900gph is this fine to cycle my tank 9 times an hour ?

[fishman667]

Will post photos of baby's tonight

[Augustus]

Sounds exciting, good luck with your fry!

[fishman667]

https://flic.kr/p/pJsVqj

[fishman667]

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7471/15576751110_41eb692d20_b.jpg
got some babies on the cone :)

[fishman667]

bit of an update of whats happening, well i should have listened earlier but i slowly went to BB from lots of gravel, love it a lot more
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7472/15761554435_47c7768c30_b.jpg

[fishman667]

i also moved, and is that ever a process to move all your fish at the same time, while keeping filter media alive.

well now this is my new setup at the house, so i have now turned this tank into a grow out tank I'm gonna buy all one strain and grow them out ( prob white butterflies )
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7522/15142122673_080fddcf34_b.jpg

[fishman667]

and now the new addition the 180 gallon show tank
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3947/15575693179_580e516c7d_b.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7484/15575701469_7d209b5cf8_b.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7471/15737838256_3dca42ca3a_b.jpg

[allan]

great thread thanks for sharing :)

[fishman667]

great thread thanks for sharing :)

Thank you :)

[fishman667]

New Addition to the main tank

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7460/16449540636_d23c937846_b.jpg

[ayobreezie]

"So much room for activities."

[woodsprite]

Your tank is lovely and, IMO, you showed tremendous restraint in your scaping .. it all works very well and is obviously successful for the fish as they are spawning .. continued good luck with your set up ...and thanks for posting the lovely pictures ...