My 125 Gallon

[digthemlows]

It's been 2 weeks since I switched from my 72 gallon and everyone is happy!http://starboardbough.com/tmp/new125g.jpg

The white mix guys are runts that I've used for my QT tank and they have fun personalities so I keep them!
http://starboardbough.com/tmp/new125h.jpg

With some sunlight coming from the window you can see the Blue looks so pretty!
http://starboardbough.com/tmp/new125i.jpg

It's a mixs of shapes and sizes. They are all happy, growing, and eating like mad!
http://starboardbough.com/tmp/new125j.jpg

[judy]

very nice tank! and happy-looking fish,too!

[tacks]

Your tank looks great. Could you tell me how many discus do you have in there and your water change routine. thanks and keep up the good work Ed

[digthemlows]

I'll start with the fact that I believe everyone here that says Juvies do best in a bb tank but, I'm not going that route. There is plenty to support the fact that my little guys may not grow as big as they could in a planted tank. I do believe they will grow to a good size and stay healthy as long as I mainain the water and keep them fed. ......Here's what I'm doing and everyone is happy and my water quality is good.

-10 discus ranging from 3.5" to 7"
-2 Rummynose Tetras (I bought 6 and the discus ate 4 when the rummies were new and scared)
-2 Neons they are 6 years old and just keep living, I bought a dozen years ago for my old community tank and these two are what's left
-4 Corys
-2 SAEs
-1 Bamboo Shrimp
-2 Clown Loaches
-5 Rosy Barbs (they are insane swimmers but leave everyone alone, my kids picked them out years ago, they are 6 years old too)

I have 25 H. Rasbora Tetras in a QT tank right now, they are healthy and happy and I'll probably drop them in soon.

I feed CBW and tetrabits in the morning
FBW and tetrabits at Lunch
Tetrabits in the early evening
CBW before bed

All food is gone within 3 minutes easy..........there are plenty of fish eating!

With the 72 gallon it was easier to do 30% changes every day, and a big one once a week, with this one I'm trying things a little different. So far my parameters are staying perfect.

I have a fluval 405, one sponge filter, and 2 Aquaclear 70 HOBs running (I'm thinking about changing to just one 110).

I do gravel vac water changes daily just to get extra junk off the bottom (ends up only being about 15 gallons changed).
I do a 30% with the python every other day and a 50% once a week..........

125 gallons is a lot of water! It's a work in progress and I'll be tweaking my regimine as needed.

[swingdaddy]

What is your substrate?

[digthemlows]

thin layer of florite under silica sand.

[GrillMaster]

Sound like the discus are going to be very happy in your tank with the WC routine! Please keep us updated. :)

tc
Mark

[digthemlows]

Strike the bamboo shrimp from the list, my SAE's are eating the dead body right now..........I'm pretty sure the heat was too much, I only dropped him in from the QT tank 3 days ago.

[Silent Running]

Tank looks great! Makes me want to switch to a lighter substrate.

Are you sure it's not just a shrimp molt? Mine molt every couple of weeks and it looks like a dead body, but then the shrimp emerges from its favorite hiding place (still haven't figured out where that is :) )

[digthemlows]

Oh no, it's a pink solid body that's getting eaten.......I read that bamboo shrimp like cold water, but I'd also seen some people had them in tanks..........I think i'm just going to make my little 16 gallon bow front a shrimp tanks. I have about 20 cherries in it now. Maybe they'll start multiplying?

[digthemlows]

I bought a couple of rocks but can't decide where they might look good. They are the petrified wood looking rocks that you see pretty often.

Just two of them, any ideas or suggestions where to put some rocks?:D

[happygirl65]

How big are the rocks? I really like the looks of smaller to med size rocks directly infront of the root base of plants where it looks like the plants are growing up out of a small group of them. Looks like you could put them over on the right to balance out the large driftwood on the left. :)

[digthemlows]

I put the two rocks in front of the Val on the right, kindof little mountain peaks.........I like it!

http://starboardbough.com/tmp/new125k.jpg

http://starboardbough.com/tmp/new125l.jpg

[digthemlows]

I don't know what the plant that is just to the right of my swords in the back, but if you look at my first post compared to this latest one it's almost to the top or 2"-3" inches taller in 2 weeks...........crazy stuff!

[happygirl65]

Awesome placement of the rocks and how very cool they are! Wow! :) I love them! Great find!

That is some excellent growth on those stem plants too! Nice!

[digthemlows]

The background stem plants are filling it and I added another stem plant in with the vals to fill in the corner.........everyone is happy and growing and enjoying the clean water. I've settled on 40% water changes every other day and it seems to work well for fish and plants.

http://starboardbough.com/tmp/new125p.jpg

http://starboardbough.com/tmp/new125q.jpg

[happygirl65]

Oh WOW! That is gorgeous! Nice job!

If you don't mind my asking, what is your light level (low med high?) and does the frequent large water changes mess with your fert dosing (assuming you need to dose..)

Once again, really awesome job, it was artfully done. :)

[digthemlows]

I have 3 root tabs under the swords on the left, 1 tab between the 2 crypts and that's the only ferts going on. Also, I vacuum poo in the front but leave it in the back for the plants......the stems grow pretty fast for not having any ferts outside of bioload. I run the coralife 2x65watt 10k light for about 14 hours a day.

[happygirl65]

Excellent! :) Good to know. I am still working things out in my 90 fertwise so it is always nice to find out what others are doing. :)

[digthemlows]

New piece of driftwood to hide some of the AC110 Intake.......
http://starboardbough.com/tmp/new125s.jpg

[New to discus]

Oh no, it's a pink solid body that's getting eaten.......I read that bamboo shrimp like cold water, but I'd also seen some people had them in tanks..........I think i'm just going to make my little 16 gallon bow front a shrimp tanks. I have about 20 cherries in it now. Maybe they'll start multiplying?


I don't think it is the heat. In anticipation of getting my discus I have had my temp at 29 for a couple of weeks now and I have 3 bamboo shrimp. They are doing great.
How are your discus doing with small shrimp like cherries? I don't have small shrimp right now but I want to get a bunch of them. I'm afraid the discus will eat them.

[digthemlows]

I don't think it is the heat. In anticipation of getting my discus I have had my temp at 29 for a couple of weeks now and I have 3 bamboo shrimp. They are doing great.
How are your discus doing with small shrimp like cherries? I don't have small shrimp right now but I want to get a bunch of them. I'm afraid the discus will eat them.

I had a few ghost shrimp in there that lived for 2 months and they seemed to do ok. They eventually died and I don't know why........I have a fairly new 30 gallon planted tank that is having a cherry shrimp breeding explosion right now (there's about 15 berried females).........probably have 50 or more babies and 20 adults........Once it hits 100 or so I'm going to drop 25 or in the discus tank and see what happens........my guess is they'll be food, but we'll see.

[New to discus]

I had a few ghost shrimp in there that lived for 2 months and they seemed to do ok. They eventually died and I don't know why........I have a fairly new 30 gallon planted tank that is having a cherry shrimp breeding explosion right now (there's about 15 berried females).........probably have 50 or more babies and 20 adults........Once it hits 100 or so I'm going to drop 25 or in the discus tank and see what happens........my guess is they'll be food, but we'll see.


I will keep you posted on the bamboo shrimp. In total I have had them for 4 months and they are molting pretty much every 6 weeks or so. I did have one die. Not exactly sure why but I think something went wrong when it molted. Apparently they get stuck sometimes and suffocate. They are filtering pretty much all the time though and that is a sign they are doing ok from what I have read.

[New to discus]

By the way... your tank looks great!

[digthemlows]

took out the sword that was farthers left, it just wasn't doing well. So, I added another piece of wood and some vals.............couple months and that should fill in nice and hopefully cover up some of the heater/filter stuff on the left side.

http://starboardbough.com/tmp/new125u.jpg

[GrillMaster]

I love the transition your tank has taken from the point where you first planted it until now! The Discus happy with it all.

Kudos bud! Nice job! :thumbsup:

[digthemlows]

Thanks, yeah there's been some growth and I'm happy with what's been added.
Here's the first day it was up and then from a week ago.

http://starboardbough.com/tmp/new125c.jpg

http://starboardbough.com/tmp/new125u.jpg

[Tyris]

Awesome tank

[IAMTHOMAS]

woah nice set up there you have Digthemlows! Can I ask what is the length in cm,Breath,Height thanks! :balloon:

[digthemlows]

152.4cm wide x 45.7cm x 63.5cm tall

[~TeaCupGirl~]

I would like to get a light similar to the one that you have.... is it possible to get the clear acrylic top for a 55 gal tank? If so, where would I get it from?
TIA!

[digthemlows]

do you not have a top now?? Most of the CF lights have legs these days that just sit right on the edges. I'm using a 48" light on a 60" tank because of cost.......I'm hoping to go with pendant MH sometime this fall, but we'll see. Otherwise I just have a glass top now, I clean it 2 times a month and everything is doing just fine.

[FatFutures]

I'm using a 48" light on a 60" tank because of cost


I am doing the same! Hoping to win the lotto so I can buy something more appropriate! LOL

Your tank is absolutely gorgeous.

[metfan581]

I was going to do sand and first layer laterite in my next tank; like a pool filter sand or play sand. But then I was going to skip the first layer laterite because I heard that the first layer laterite is bigger than the sand, and over time will show up over the sand.
How does the mix work for you?
Your plants look great I might just try the first layer laterite.
I might try 1" of sand and first layer laterite mix covered with 2" of sand.
What’s your mixture?
Do you have any problems with the first layer laterite?
Thanks,
metfan581

[digthemlows]

I was going to do sand and first layer laterite in my next tank; like a pool filter sand or play sand. But then I was going to skip the first layer laterite because I heard that the first layer laterite is bigger than the sand, and over time will show up over the sand.
How does the mix work for you?
Your plants look great I might just try the first layer laterite.
I might try 1" of sand and first layer laterite mix covered with 2" of sand.
What’s your mixture?
Do you have any problems with the first layer laterite?
Thanks,
metfan581

It does creep up over time...............not a big deal to just vacuum the sand and re-bury the rocks............I use flourite and it doesn't show too much........My shrimp tank is sand only and the plants are doing really well..

[metfan581]

thanks

[digthemlows]

Cut all the stems in half and doubled them but now they're hiding in the back, it'll take a couple of months but should look good! I moved all the driftwood into one mass that looks like a single piece. What do you think?

http://starboardbough.com/tmp/new125y.jpg

http://starboardbough.com/tmp/new125w.jpg

[cturner]

Do you have a close up pic of the plant your not sure what it's called? I think I have the same thing in my tank but it's hard to tell. If it is the same thing it's often referred to as "creeping jenny". Do a search and check it out. Hope that helps.

[digthemlows]

I think it's Bacopa?? Here's another shot..............I miss the tall plants, they'll grow soon though........

http://starboardbough.com/tmp/new125z.jpg

[digthemlows]

One of my dogs has taken a liking to watching the tank, she watches all the time lately!

http://starboardbough.com/tmp/katiefish.jpg

[digthemlows]

found a very tall sword that hadn't been grown emersed over the weekend.......I put in in the right hand corner and think it looks great...........swords with crypts are really great together!

http://starboardbough.com/tmp/new1253.jpg

[happygirl65]

That is beautiful. :) And the pic of the dog watching the tank....that is priceless. She looks so peaceful. :)
Really nice job on the tank and discus. I always love seeing pics of your tank. :)

[Anthonyl]

Simply beautiful :)

[architect1]

vary nice set up, loved your fish and plants.

[chintz]

What can I say! I'd take your tank (any design) at any day.

[digthemlows]

Thanks everyone, I'm getting some good growth with my stem plants but my 2 BN plecos have taken a liking to my swords, I'll get a pic soon, but I'm not sure what to do to keep them off. I give them spirulina discs every other day and there's algae on the glass for them, they just like the swords........:confused:

[happygirl65]

Try giving thm some fresh zucchini or cucumber slices. :) You can use a veggie clip...

[digthemlows]

getting some growth from the stems now!
http://starboardbough.com/tmp/new125aa.jpg

http://starboardbough.com/tmp/new125ab.jpg

[happygirl65]

GORGEOUS! very nice job!

[architect1]

hey I love the new tank up dates everything growing. nice work.

[digthemlows]

little bit of algae on the glass but otherwise this tank is on autopilot! I don't have room for more plants or fish so I'm just watching the fish grow!
sorry the big pic is blurry....bad camera!
http://starboardbough.com/tmp/new1256.jpg
http://starboardbough.com/tmp/new1257.jpg
This is the spotted albino intermediate F1 I got from kenney in early Sept....grown some.....next to a yellow I got a while back, actually don't know if it's just a strange mix or a yellow crystal, anyone know?
http://starboardbough.com/tmp/new1258.jpg

[happygirl65]

All I know is......they are GORGEOUS!
Nice job!

[pcsb23]

Tank looks good and the fish look healthy. Nice :)

[digthemlows]

Thanks! I need to trim the weeds sometime soon, the problem with letting stems go is that they block the light from themselves and you end up with leafless stems towards the bottom of the tank...............I do like the "flow" of letting them go though! :p

[digthemlows]

Rescape and a trim...........everything is doing great!
http://starboardbough.com/tmp/tankdec081.JPG

[happygirl65]

VERY nice. :)

[architect1]

no way are them valls stretching from the corner of the tank all the way to the other side? love the tank, its getting better every time i see ur new posts.

[aquadiva]

WOW!! Absolutely beautiful tank!! :drummer: Lovely looking Discus as well. How do you keep it so perfect and clean looking?? Nice job. ;)

Anna :sun:

[digthemlows]

no way are them valls stretching from the corner of the tank all the way to the other side? love the tank, its getting better every time i see ur new posts.

I actually trimmed them, they were stretching the length and then wrapping back..........at least 7 feet long.........:)

[digthemlows]

WOW!! Absolutely beautiful tank!! :drummer: Lovely looking Discus as well. How do you keep it so perfect and clean looking?? Nice job. ;)

Anna :sun:

My fish clean the tank.........I have 2 large clown loaches, 8 cory cats, 2 albino BN, 2 SAE's ............there's actually quite a bit of algae on the side nearest the window from sunlight but it's not terrible...............

1 do 2 50% water changes a week........Running a Eheim 2217, a large sponge filter, and an AC110.........No ferts, no nothing else..............Water goes in straight from the tap........Ph 7.5, temp 82-83, auto pilot for the most part!!

[aquadiva]

My fish clean the tank.........I have 2 large clown loaches, 8 cory cats, 2 albino BN, 2 SAE's ............there's actually quite a bit of algae on the side nearest the window from sunlight but it's not terrible...............

1 do 2 50% water changes a week........Running a Eheim 2217, a large sponge filter, and an AC110.........No ferts, no nothing else..............Water goes in straight from the tap........Ph 7.5, temp 82-83, auto pilot for the most part!!

My filtration is similar to yours on my own 125. I run an aqua clear 110, a large sponge also, but my cannister is a Rena XP4. I should start interviewing potential cleaning crews, LOL! :D Your tank looks great!! :antlers:

Anna

[GrillMaster]

Very nice job on the tank dig!! Looks fantastic...:thumbsup:

[rickztahone]

what a gorgeous looking setup. beautiful discus which have been somewhat neglected throughout this post :D. your plants grow quick! congrats

[ltgoof]

1 do 2 50% water changes a week........Running a Eheim 2217, a large sponge filter, and an AC110.........No ferts, no nothing else..............Water goes in straight from the tap........Ph 7.5, temp 82-83, auto pilot for the most part!!

All I can say is gorgeous! Simply beautiful!

Whe you say "Water goes in straight from the tap", are you adding dechlor? I assume you're not aging your water right?

[digthemlows]

All I can say is gorgeous! Simply beautiful!

Whe you say "Water goes in straight from the tap", are you adding dechlor? I assume you're not aging your water right?

yeah, no aging and I'm using Prime..........a drop or two during the water change is all it needs...........

[TankWatcher]

I love your tank, so lush & green, plus absolutely love the shot of the dog watching the tank

[rickztahone]

hey digthemlows i was wondering what type of lighting you were using on you 125? i want to switch out my wood canopy on mine and am looking for something that looks like yours. can you tell me brand and where i might be able to get it? are those brackets on the light?

[digthemlows]

It's a T-5 with 2x80 bulbs. Got it cheap from Fish Need It.
T-5 Light (http://fishneedit.com/t5ho-5ft--2lamp-aquarium-light.html)

[Diskboy12]

Nice tank. I like the blue.

[rickztahone]

It's a T-5 with 2x80 bulbs. Got it cheap from Fish Need It.
T-5 Light (http://fishneedit.com/t5ho-5ft--2lamp-aquarium-light.html)

thank you very much for the info. i see that it is only 60" long? how did you mount it? is that simply just glass on the bottom of the light where the legs are holding it up?

[digthemlows]

That's the size for my tank 60" x 24" x 36"..............so the legs are mounted on the rim of the tank, although that lights "feet" dont adjust to be quite wide enough to go around the rim, so it's really just sitting there.

[rickztahone]

That's the size for my tank 60" x 24" x 36"..............so the legs are mounted on the rim of the tank, although that lights "feet" dont adjust to be quite wide enough to go around the rim, so it's really just sitting there.

oh, i thought it was a 6 footer. it's proven kind of difficult for me to find a good long light. i shall keep looking, i'm just not happy with my canopy with 2 4ft JBJ lights

[ltgoof]

It's a T-5 with 2x80 bulbs. Got it cheap from Fish Need It.
T-5 Light (http://fishneedit.com/t5ho-5ft--2lamp-aquarium-light.html)

mmmm. good price. thanks for the info. the 4 footer is perfect for my 90G, it's out of stock though. I'll just wait.

[digthemlows]

I have not kept up on water changes as much as I want to, but still get 1 a week. I do 70% changes when I do......the plants are "stemming" because I haven't trimmed, but the fish are getting happier as spring comes I think!

[Yassmeena]

ow - your tank is gorgeous. I am in the works of setting up a planted discus tank. Do you mind two questions:

1 - do you have CO2?
2 - what brand/make lights do you have? and how many watts?

Thanks!!!

Awesome tank!

~ Yasmin

[digthemlows]

no CO2 and the lights are listed just a couple of posts back....t-5....I'll try and get a new pic up tonight, the plants aren't nearly as nice since I haven't been trimming. Stem plants with lose leaves at the base if you don't trim and then it doesn't look as good......

[digthemlows]

Man, it's been a little while, I got divorced, moved out, came back for only weekly water changes, and the tank kinda got bad..ex is out of the house, I'm back, and I'm slowly bringing it all back to life, I lost 6 of the discus due to problems with trying to keep up with the tank, I feel horrible.......I'm back though, have a couple new guys and I'm working on getting some plants going........I'll update soon!