Acclimation Picks (First Day!)

[Seastep]

Hey Everyone -

As you can see from the attached pictures, my setup is a bit different from some of the other challenge participants. I've elected to go with a lightly decorated tank for the discus challenge. The 55 Gallon tank I'm using for the challenge is in my living room, so I wanted to go with something a little more attractive than the standard, barebottom "working" tank I use for my other discus. (I have 9 Golden Discus I'm raising up right now too.)

Here's the equipment I'll be using....

Fluval 305 Cannister Filter
300W Heater
Small Cube airstone

My water parameters are:

pH 7.6
GH 7
NH3 0
NO2 0
NO3 ~5

Once I got the box home, I floated the bags in the tank for about 40 minutes. Then I netted the fish by pouring the bag water through a net into a waste water bucket. I then simply dropped the netted fish into my tank. They seemed perfectly happy with this arrangement. They huddled up a bit, but are now swimming around exploring the tank. They have some roommates. The tank also holds 7 cardinal tetras and a pleco. (I'll be keeping an eye on the tankmates... any problems and they'll be removed.)

[phidelt85]

Great to hear, Scott. This will be a very good twist on the Challenge. It'll let us see how juvies would grow in this type setup versus BB. Good luck and I'm happy your finally made it safe.

[renae]

Very nice set up..great news it all went well..have fun and all the best.

[AADiscus]

This gonna be so cool since yours are in a planted tank. Good luck to you.

[GrillMaster]

Scott...Sorry for the loss in the first shipment!! You had to be devastated when you opened the box to see them all dead! :(

I am a little curious why you would want to start a contest off at a disadvantage from the others...You wont be able to feed them the massive amounts of food they need everyday and expect to siphon all the uneaten food from all the plants everyday either without ripping your plants apart.

Good luck with these guys though! :)

tc
Mark

[B-O-F]

For us observers ( well, me anyway :) ) it is not just about who wins but the different methods used as well. This is turning into the best idea I have ever seen on a forum

[Ryan]

B-O-F has the right idea. When we picked the challengers, we wanted people with different experience levels and different methods of raising fish. The idea is to see how all of the different discus grow and develop in the different environments. This may shed new light on the belief that all fish have to be raised in X way.

I think this is going to be the most interesting thing we've ever done :D

[GrillMaster]

OMG Scott!!! I feel like a complete idiot right now!! I clicked on your middle and last pics, an mis took your back ground for actual plants!!!:crazy: Belay my last post!!!

I see a couple of sword plants (plastic ?). I wouldn't think it would be all that hard to keep it clean. Keep an eye on any uneaten food falling through your gravel though.

Good luck to ya again! Cant wait for the updates.

I am subscribed!

tc
Mark

[GrillMaster]

B-O-F has the right idea. When we picked the challengers, we wanted people with different experience levels and different methods of raising fish. The idea is to see how all of the different discus grow and develop in the different environments. This may shed new light on the belief that all fish have to be raised in X way.

I think this is going to be the most interesting thing we've ever done :D

This is very true... I should look at it more objectively. :)

tc
Mark

[brewmaster15]

Scott,
Best of luck with this set! I think its going to be a very interesting couple of months.:)

take care,
al

[BSW]

Glad they are doing allright for you this time, after such a rough round #1.
It's interesting too, that you are going with a different set up. A lot of great info will come of this challenge.
B

[Seastep]

Mark -

Being chosen to participate in the Challenge was really all the "winning" I was hoping to do!

I have a BB tank with other discus in it and having a decorated tank for the Challenge does give me a chance to determine which method for raising discus I prefer.

;) I'm pleased that people thought my setup might have live plants in it! It doesn't. I just bought the nicest fake plants I could find! (I think they're cloth of some kind.) Although I usually go with plain blue backgrounds for my tanks, this time I chose a very busy, heavily planted scene. I have to admit... I like how it photographs. It does sort of look like the tank is heavily planted. :)

Stay Tuned! There should be interesting things to come.....

-- Scott

[Kindredspirit]

mis took your back ground for actual plants!!!:


tc
Mark


I think that they are actual plants, Mark ~ unless I missed something:o

Good luck, Scott!


You were right! They are not real:0

[GrillMaster]

Hey Scott do ya have a nitrate an phosphate test kit by any chance? Might be something to keep an eye on. Maybe give it a test once a week or so an make sure they dont start creeping up on you to much...:)

Without live plants there will be nothing in the tank to uptake any missed waste.

tc
Mark

[Ardan]

:)Your setup is very nice! When I used platic plants I washed them often as they are like magnets for dirt:)
The fish look great:):)
Ardan