Please review my setup before I begin

[Mattyfaz]

Hi!

This will be my first Discus tank, in the past I have kept a tropical community tank and a Turtle, but not Discus!

Equipment I already own:

Tank: 4ft x 2ft x 2ft (453 Liters) with Pool Filter Sand substrate roughly 1-2cm deep (Pic of Tank/Cabinet: http://i.imgur.com/fWDDbHJ.jpg)
Filter 1: Aqua One Nautilus 2700 UV Canister filter (2700 L/ph) (http://www.aquaholicsonline.com.au/aqua-one-nautilus-2700uvc-external-canister-filter.html)
Heaters: 2 x Fluval Heater 300watt (https://www.amazingamazon.com.au/fluval-heater-300-watt.html). One is set 1 degree lower to be a backup.
Lighting: T5 High Output Twin Fluorescent Light Unit (120cm) (https://www.amazingamazon.com.au/t5-high-output-lights.html)
Globe 1: T5 High Output Fluorescent Actinic Blue Globe 54W 46" (https://www.amazingamazon.com.au/t5-fluorescent-48.html)
Globe 2: T5 High Output Fluorescent Tropical Pink Globe 54W 46" (https://www.amazingamazon.com.au/t5-high-output-54-globe.html)
Powerhead: Cheap eBay brand, couldn't tell you the specs but it moves water around okay.

Equipment I plan to buy:

Filter 2: Biopro 2200 UV Canister filter (2200 L/ph) (http://www.aquaholicsonline.com.au/biopro-canister-external-filter-uvf-2200.html)
Media for each canister filter: Activated Carbon Pellets (http://www.aquaholicsonline.com.au/activated-carbon-pellets-5kg-filter-bag.html), Seachem Matrix (http://www.aquaholicsonline.com.au/seachem-oasis-pond-matrix-2l.html), Biopro Aqua Bacteria House Bio Bakki Balls (http://www.aquaholicsonline.com.au/biopro-aqua-bacteria-house-bio-bakki-balls-5kg.html), Seachem Purigen 250ml (http://www.aquaholicsonline.com.au/seachem-purigen-aquarium-fish-tank-water-filter-conditioner-250ml.html)

Stocking List:

6 x Discus (https://www.livefish.com.au/tropicals.html?cat=36) (Symphysodon aequifasciatus)
30 x Cardinal Tetra (https://www.livefish.com.au/cardinal-tetra-2cm.html) (Paracheirodon axelrodi)
30 x Rummynose Tetra (https://www.livefish.com.au/rummynose-tetra-3-5cm.html) (Hemigrammus bleheri)
6 x German Blue Ram (https://www.livefish.com.au/blue-ram-4-5cm.html) (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi)
6 x Sterbai Cory (https://www.livefish.com.au/corydoras-sterbai-3-5cm.html) (Corydoras sterbai)
2 x Bristlenose Pleco (https://www.livefish.com.au/bristlenose-catfish-3cm-1642.html) (Ancistrus sp.)

I originally I wanted to plant it but after watching https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXe3VKh7qF8&feature=youtu.be I changed my mind, instead I am thinking of a few pieces of drift wood and attempting to tie some plants to it.

Questions:

I do not have an exact idea of what Discus I want. I want a range of colors but particularly like Red and Blue. Suggestions?
Will I have any issues with compatibility of the fish above?
Will the 2 filters be too much flow for the Discus to be comfortable?
Is the Lighting okay? I thought about getting an LED fixture but since I already have the T5 I have left that out. I would like to have the lights on when I am home and in the living room with tank (5pm-11pm) but if the lights need to be on longer I will get a timer, that is not an issue. However if lights are going to be on longer I will look at LED since it is cheaper to run.

Anything I have forgotten?

I really appreciate the help, I have always thought Discus look incredible in a nice tank with white sand, some plants and a few schooling fish around them so that is what I am going for.

Thanks,
Mattyfaz

[Jack L]

You have some redundant media planned for the canister

[Mattyfaz]

You have some redundant media planned for the canister

Would that be the Carbon? I think I don't really need it looking back now.

My filter has 4 baskets, from bottom to top I was thinking:
Coarse/Fine filter pads > Bakki Balls > Matrix > Purigen

Is that wrong?

[Jack L]

Carbon and purigen is what I saw. I have not used carbon in twenty years. Purigen does more than carbon, AFAIK

I wasn't impressed with either matrix product.

While you are planning. Look into poret foam at Swiss tropicals,

[Kyla]

what is the plan for the water change process?

[Mattyfaz]

what is the plan for the water change process?

I was thinking ~50% 3 times a week? That is about 200Litres, I am unsure if this water change frequency is required once they are no longer Juveniles or just a Juvenile thing? But assuming it is a forever thing is this enough (or overkill but I doubt it based off the video). I was going to use Tapwater + Water Conditioner

[Filip]

Hi!

This will be my first Discus tank, in the past I have kept a tropical community tank and a Turtle, but not Discus!

Equipment I already own:

Tank: 4ft x 2ft x 2ft (453 Liters) with Pool Filter Sand substrate roughly 1-2cm deep (Pic of Tank/Cabinet: http://i.imgur.com/fWDDbHJ.jpg)
Filter 1: Aqua One Nautilus 2700 UV Canister filter (2700 L/ph) (http://www.aquaholicsonline.com.au/aqua-one-nautilus-2700uvc-external-canister-filter.html)
Heaters: 2 x Fluval Heater 300watt (https://www.amazingamazon.com.au/fluval-heater-300-watt.html). One is set 1 degree lower to be a backup.
Lighting: T5 High Output Twin Fluorescent Light Unit (120cm) (https://www.amazingamazon.com.au/t5-high-output-lights.html)
Globe 1: T5 High Output Fluorescent Actinic Blue Globe 54W 46" (https://www.amazingamazon.com.au/t5-fluorescent-48.html)
Globe 2: T5 High Output Fluorescent Tropical Pink Globe 54W 46" (https://www.amazingamazon.com.au/t5-high-output-54-globe.html)
Powerhead: Cheap eBay brand, couldn't tell you the specs but it moves water around okay.

Equipment I plan to buy:

Filter 2: Biopro 2200 UV Canister filter (2200 L/ph) (http://www.aquaholicsonline.com.au/biopro-canister-external-filter-uvf-2200.html)
Media for each canister filter: Activated Carbon Pellets (http://www.aquaholicsonline.com.au/activated-carbon-pellets-5kg-filter-bag.html), Seachem Matrix (http://www.aquaholicsonline.com.au/seachem-oasis-pond-matrix-2l.html), Biopro Aqua Bacteria House Bio Bakki Balls (http://www.aquaholicsonline.com.au/biopro-aqua-bacteria-house-bio-bakki-balls-5kg.html), Seachem Purigen 250ml (http://www.aquaholicsonline.com.au/seachem-purigen-aquarium-fish-tank-water-filter-conditioner-250ml.html)

Stocking List:

6 x Discus (https://www.livefish.com.au/tropicals.html?cat=36) (Symphysodon aequifasciatus)
30 x Cardinal Tetra (https://www.livefish.com.au/cardinal-tetra-2cm.html) (Paracheirodon axelrodi)
30 x Rummynose Tetra (https://www.livefish.com.au/rummynose-tetra-3-5cm.html) (Hemigrammus bleheri)
6 x German Blue Ram (https://www.livefish.com.au/blue-ram-4-5cm.html) (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi)
6 x Sterbai Cory (https://www.livefish.com.au/corydoras-sterbai-3-5cm.html) (Corydoras sterbai)
2 x Bristlenose Pleco (https://www.livefish.com.au/bristlenose-catfish-3cm-1642.html) (Ancistrus sp.)

I originally I wanted to plant it but after watching https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXe3VKh7qF8&feature=youtu.be I changed my mind, instead I am thinking of a few pieces of drift wood and attempting to tie some plants to it.

Questions:

I do not have an exact idea of what Discus I want. I want a range of colors but particularly like Red and Blue. Suggestions?
Will I have any issues with compatibility of the fish above?
Will the 2 filters be too much flow for the Discus to be comfortable?
Is the Lighting okay? I thought about getting an LED fixture but since I already have the T5 I have left that out. I would like to have the lights on when I am home and in the living room with tank (5pm-11pm) but if the lights need to be on longer I will get a timer, that is not an issue. However if lights are going to be on longer I will look at LED since it is cheaper to run.

Anything I have forgotten?

I really appreciate the help, I have always thought Discus look incredible in a nice tank with white sand, some plants and a few schooling fish around them so that is what I am going for.

Thanks,
Mattyfaz

Welcome to discus fish and SD forum Mattyfaz.
It seems to me that you should be off to a good start with everything stated above.
I would advise you to start with >5 inch grown discus , and you should be fine with that bioload in 400 liters with 3- 50% WC s a week.
You can use spraybars to slow down the current from 2 canisters, and put them on the back wall, so that front would be more still water.
I am suspicious about not having white light ,making the tank look to dark or not natural.
Aside from 3 WCs a week you should also regularly keep the sandbed and canisters clean.
Wish you good luck with your first discus.

[Mattyfaz]

Welcome to discus fish and SD forum Mattyfaz.
It seems to me that you should be off to a good start with everything stated above.
I would advise you to start with >5 inch grown discus , and you should be fine with that bioload in 400 liters with 3- 50% WC s a week.

Awesome sounds good thank you!


You can use spraybars to slow down the current from 2 canisters, and put them on the back wall, so that front would be more still water.

The Aquaone 2700 filter does not seem to have the right pieces to have it flat along the back vertically, it covers one whole side of the tank horizontally. That is why I had the wavemaker in their to blow water along the back of the tank and cause a more circular motion of the water. But if I buy that second 2200l/ph filter I hopefully can have that vertically on the back.


I am suspicious about not having white light, making the tank look to dark or not natural.

The picture attached has only the blue globe on, with the white globe on as well the tank looks a nice white in my opinion. Although I am still considering switching it all to a LED fixture.


Aside from 3 WCs a week you should also regularly keep the sandbed and canisters clean.
Wish you good luck with your first discus.

Will do, thanks for the feedback!

- Mattyfaz

[afriend]

Mattyyfaz,

I took a look at your tank and cabinet setup and have a suggestion about the lighting system. The way your cabinet has an upper and lower skirt built in, it affords the opportunity to do some interesting things with LED lights. My cabinet has a similar upper and lower skirt built in except mine is a bow front instead of a rectangular like yours. Here's a couple of links that describe how I incorporated LED lighting that really makes for a unique system that for some spectacular effects, especially for a bare bottom:

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?122469-Part-6-LED-Lighting-System

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?122530-How-to-Take-the-Ugly-Out-of-a-Bare-Bottom-Tank&highlight=how+to+take+ugly+out+of+bear+bottom+tank

Since your tank is rectangular, you could probably use a rectangular fixture for the top lighting and then incorporate two strings of RGBW lights for the top and bottom skirts. The effect is stunning. You should see how the colors of the fish are enhanced by the lighting. The reflections at the floor of the tank are also spectacular.

Paul

[Mattyfaz]

Mattyyfaz,

I took a look at your tank and cabinet setup and have a suggestion about the lighting system. The way your cabinet has an upper and lower skirt built in, it affords the opportunity to do some interesting things with LED lights. My cabinet has a similar upper and lower skirt built in except mine is a bow front instead of a rectangular like yours. Here's a couple of links that describe how I incorporated LED lighting that really makes for a unique system that for some spectacular effects, especially for a bare bottom:

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?122469-Part-6-LED-Lighting-System

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?122530-How-to-Take-the-Ugly-Out-of-a-Bare-Bottom-Tank&highlight=how+to+take+ugly+out+of+bear+bottom+tank

Since your tank is rectangular, you could probably use a rectangular fixture for the top lighting and then incorporate two strings of RGBW lights for the top and bottom skirts. The effect is stunning. You should see how the colors of the fish are enhanced by the lighting. The reflections at the floor of the tank are also spectacular.

Paul

Very interesting way of doing it, do you have a white Styrofoam under your tank? I thought that would make it reflect less having the solid white appearing through the glass. Not a bad idea though, I definitely see how I could make that work. Will have a look into it, thank you.

[afriend]

Very interesting way of doing it, do you have a white Styrofoam under your tank? I thought that would make it reflect less having the solid white appearing through the glass. Not a bad idea though, I definitely see how I could make that work. Will have a look into it, thank you.

Matt,

My tank sits on a light blue polystyrene pad. I don't know if white or anything else would work better. The pad came with the tank when I bought it.

One of the things I really like about this is that the bottom of my tank stays pristine clean as shown in the pictures due to the filtration system that I have developed. You might look into that if your interested.

Paul

[Mattyfaz]

So the tank is up and running and I just want to check that I am doing everything well, and that I should not be worrying about the water levels yet (running for 3 weeks). My test kit arrived Friday and I am aiming to test it every second day at the moment. The first 2 results are posted below.




Date
PH
Ammonia
Nitrite
Nitrate



02/04/16
7.9
0.35
1.5
2.5



04/04/16
8.1
0.25
2.0
2.5



Nothing is currently in the tank except for the PFS substrate which I move around every 2 days to ensure nothing builds up in them. I have 4 pieces of Goldvine driftwood soaking in the bathtub for the last 2 weeks to try and remove as much Tannin as possible, this will go into my tank later this week as the missus is starting to get sick of the brown bathtub :P

I have been considering adding plants, and putting them in small (3cm) Terracotta pots, that way I could easily remove them from the tank to clean the plants and substrate. Do you think that is a good idea, just want to add a bit more green color? I was thinking:

3cm Terracotta Pots (Pack of Ten) (https://www.livefish.com.au/additional-3cm-terracotta-pots.html)
Thin Vallisneria (https://www.livefish.com.au/thin-vallisneria-piece-plant.html) x 14 (2 in each pot)
Amazon Swords Small 10-12cm (https://www.livefish.com.au/amazon-swords-small-center.html) x 3 (1 in each pot)


Looking forward to hearing from you all.

Thanks

[Mattyfaz]

So just an update in case anyone was wondering how it is all going. I finally got a test last night where all the results are at a good level. I will wait another week before adding fish slowly, I want to make sure I get consistent good tests before adding them rather than just getting lucky one time. Added plants as well, picture below.

http://i.imgur.com/e2cOgT9.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/TkicZ3Q.jpg

[Mattyfaz]

So just an update in case anyone was wondering how it is all going. I finally got a test last night where all the results are at a good level. I will wait another week before adding fish slowly, I want to make sure I get consistent good tests before adding them rather than just getting lucky one time. Added plants as well, picture below.

http://i.imgur.com/e2cOgT9.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/TkicZ3Q.jpg