show off your planted tank!

[rickztahone]

i have become more interested in doing a planted tank as of late and wanted to see what people have done to make their tanks planted tanks. it doesn't matter if it's domestic or wild, i just want to see pictures of full planted tank shots. let's see 'em

[cyberhog05]

Heres is the latest picture before I switched to a more biotopish tank. Ill get pics of my new setup when its ready for sharing.

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x270/cyberhog/2009_0406newrescape0011.jpg

[rickztahone]

that's a great looking tank. how do you keep a tank like that clean?

[cyberhog05]

It sucks....I did a ton of substrate cleaning with my python. Mostly with the tube off using just the hose so I could get into smaller areas to get the mulm from the surface of the sand. I drain my tank water first into my plants then outside into a bucket so if I get an Amano shrimp or 2 or snails they go into the bucket instead of down my driveway and the water spills over the edge of the bucket leaving my critters at the bottom. I also added a ton of MTS to eat up all the decaying plants and stir up the substrate. The most important thing was to make sure the media in my canisters was pretty clean. I dont let it get to full of decaying plant matter. It is a part time job taking care of my tank at 180gal. I would never do a big planted tank again with discus anyway.

[Sharkbait]

90 gallon

No discus yet, but planted nonetheless. I'm aiming to put in about 8 stendkers in the next month or so.

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs012.snc1/2917_527370855351_293001460_1609594_7600322_n.jpg

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs012.snc1/2917_527370920221_293001460_1609600_7043784_n.jpg

[blackwaterfishman]

Here is my 90 gallon corner bow tank.

[Wahter]

This is actually easy to do on your own (while you're waiting for others to post).

Step #1
Make sure you're in the right section of simplydiscus (the Planted / Show Tanks and Biotopes)

Step #2
Click on Views to sort the posts by the number of views.

http://www.forum.simplydiscus.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=46202&stc=1&d=1248743390


Step #3
Scroll Down to see the Normal Threads.

Step #4
Click on the posts which have had the most views.

http://www.forum.simplydiscus.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=46203&stc=1&d=1248743390


There you go - easy as pie.

Here are some of them for you

http://www.forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=54156
http://www.forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=58151
http://www.forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=43135
http://www.forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=53854
http://www.forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=62337
http://www.forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=70450
http://www.forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=63135

(some of these you might have to flip through the pages to see the final product)

(don't forget to check some of the posts made by Dan of Gulf Coast Discus - he has some nice tanks):
http://www.forum.simplydiscus.com/forumdisplay.php?f=78

Hope that helps,



Walter

[rickztahone]

This is actually easy to do on your own (while you're waiting for others to post).

Step #1
Make sure you're in the right section of simplydiscus (the Planted / Show Tanks and Biotopes)

Step #2
Click on Views to sort the posts by the number of views.

http://www.forum.simplydiscus.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=46202&stc=1&d=1248743390


Step #3
Scroll Down to see the Normal Threads.

Step #4
Click on the posts which have had the most views.

http://www.forum.simplydiscus.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=46203&stc=1&d=1248743390


There you go - easy as pie.

Here are some of them for you

http://www.forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=54156
http://www.forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=58151
http://www.forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=43135
http://www.forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=53854
http://www.forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=62337
http://www.forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=70450
http://www.forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=63135

(some of these you might have to flip through the pages to see the final product)

(don't forget to check some of the posts made by Dan of Gulf Coast Discus - he has some nice tanks):
http://www.forum.simplydiscus.com/forumdisplay.php?f=78

Hope that helps,



Walter

that's great Walter, thank you. i was actually wanting to search but i really didn't know how to word it to get the planted tank pics. i looked through the sticky's and didn't find anything there either so i figured i'd make a thread to at least see current planted tanks that people might have just recently finished. thanks again, i will go through those when i get home. p.s., i didn't even know we could arrange posts by view count. good to know

[rickztahone]

Here is my 90 gallon corner bow tank.

that looks great! do you just have the 2 discus in there?

[blackwaterfishman]

No, there are ten neons or so and a couple of serpae tetras in there, but the discus have been so exuberant at times that they tend to hide. I am planning to restock this fall back to the 24 + neons (may go cardinal tetras) and 6-8 serpae tetras. (The colors of these fish are complementary and striking with the blue diamond discus.)

When I got the discus a while ago I had a lot of wood in the tank and it ended up with a lot of algae and debris, so I removed all the wood (you can't see it half the time after the plants grow in anyway!) and cleaned up the tank. I cut the plants way back and got rid of the moss that clogged the filters. Unfortunately for the large number of cherry shrimp who seemed to coexist with the discus there was no where left to hide. The discus chased the shrimp all over the tank and had a great feast for weeks. The discus got quite aggressive and in their rush to get the shrimp chased anything that moved. That included the neons and tetras who have now been reduced in numbers and tend to hide except at feeding times. If I get more for them to school I think they will stay out more. I haven't seen the discus chase them for quite some time now. Of course, there is not a shrimp left. I have another tank upstairs that has a couple hundred shrimp in it. No discus of course. I never knew they could get that excited and chase those shrimp all over the place. They got much better catching them over time. It was actually a lot of fun to watch! (For me that is, not for the other fish in the tank)

[Chad Hughes]

Rick,

Here's some shots of my 150 and the discus in it. Don't scold me, but I can't count how many dicus are actually in this tank. Last attempt at counting was about 22? :o

Enjoy!

[rickztahone]

Rick,

Here's some shots of my 150 and the discus in it. Don't scold me, but I can't count how many dicus are actually in this tank. Last attempt at counting was about 22? :o

Enjoy!

how could you not know Chad :p? that is a beautiful tank! what strain are the 4th and 5th one?

[calihawker]

Beautiful tank Chad!

Here's a pic of my 300. As you can see there's plenty of room for more discus. Maybe some golden...?:D


http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr356/calihawker/Fish/DSC01463.jpg

[Chad Hughes]

how could you not know Chad :p? that is a beautiful tank! what strain are the 4th and 5th one?

Those are Marlboros.


Beautiful tank Chad!

Here's a pic of my 300. As you can see there's plenty of room for more discus. Maybe some golden...?:D


http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr356/calihawker/Fish/DSC01463.jpg

Rockin tank Steve! I wouldn't expect anything less! ;)

I say albinos for sure!

Best wishes!

[frenchie100]

Rick,

Here's some shots of my 150 and the discus in it. Don't scold me, but I can't count how many dicus are actually in this tank. Last attempt at counting was about 22? :o

Enjoy!

Oh my gosh Chad! Your discus are gorgeous!!!

Julie

[Chad Hughes]

Thanks Julie! I appreciate the compliments!

Best wishes!

[rickztahone]

here is an older thread showing off some planted tanks. check it out:
http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=52645

[jhamil]

very nice!!!

[Cooldadddyfunk286]

Chad...KILLER tank bro. so vibrant...I love it!:D

SteveO...I love that 300 gal, right behind the bar, your a lucky man :D

[Crstfr]

72 bowfront!http://api.photoshop.com/home_a951634a2ccc4f459a64229b424de0cb/adobe-px-assets/95272a9c7fa646ab82a7d563ffbb91b4

[Chad Hughes]

Christopher,

Stunning tank! Well done!

Best wishes!

[rickztahone]

awesome tank Christopher! how many gallons is that? it looks like my cousins 60 bowfront

[Crstfr]

72 bowfront... thanks guys!

[Scribbles]

Beautiful tanks everyone. Very inspiring. Keep the pictures coming.

Chris

[calihawker]

Nice to see your tank again Christopher. Beautiful!

[GrillMaster]

Heres one I had the beginning of last year... 125G :)

Still have the fish its just BB at the moment...Will be changing it up this winter for a lil cleaner look.



http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj243/basstalker/1.jpg

[darbex]

Here are some of my planted although they are also non-discus.

29G Apisto tank
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/29G%20planted/P1030080.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk209/darbex/29G%20planted/P1030078.jpg

[TankWatcher]

3ft Divided Tank - non discus
At the time, each half was completly separate. I've since taken out the divider & it is now a discus tank - but not yet planted.
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/74G%20Divided%20Tank/8000_1730.jpg

another view
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/74G%20Divided%20Tank/9000_1731.jpg

4ft African planted. This layout also no longer exists and is the 4ft Biotype
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/African%20Tank%20-%20Robyn/000_1714.jpg
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/African%20Tank%20-%20Robyn/000_1610.jpg

4ft - Before Biotype This could have done this as BB, as all the plants are attached to wood or rock.
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/79G_298L_Discus%20Tank/000_0614.jpg

4ft - After Biotype The difference to the tank is that it now has a little more java fern & some floating plants. I might add annubias - still thinking.
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/79G_298L_Discus%20Tank/000_0997.jpg

Current Planted 7ft
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l128/TankWatcher/138G_523L_Discus%20Tank/000_0983.jpg

[Crstfr]

man... i'm jealous.... i want more than one tank!!!


beautiful tanks guys... so inspiring!..... nothing like discus on some bright green plants! ... the love~


http://api.photoshop.com/home_a951634a2ccc4f459a64229b424de0cb/adobe-px-assets/79465682883f4a848087e0f098e11c58

[Yassmeena]

72 bowfront!http://api.photoshop.com/home_a951634a2ccc4f459a64229b424de0cb/adobe-px-assets/95272a9c7fa646ab82a7d563ffbb91b4


Hi Christopher,

For some reason, I don't see a picture in your post. Is anyone else having this problem?

Yasmin

[rickztahone]

hey Robyn, quick question. how did you make that separation on that list tank shot? i want to do something similar but with more of a gap in the middle. is there different substrates in the divided sections? it looks great btw

[TankWatcher]

hey Robyn, quick question. how did you make that separation on that list tank shot? i want to do something similar but with more of a gap in the middle. is there different substrates in the divided sections? it looks great btw Do you mean the 3ft divided tank, or the 7ft planted?

[rickztahone]

Do you mean the 3ft divided tank, or the 7ft planted?

Current Planted 7ft. i like the division that you have created.

[Diamond Discus]

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k25/DiamondDiscus/180/IMG_0862.jpg

[Eddie]

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k25/DiamondDiscus/180/IMG_0862.jpg

Sue, so coincidental, check your album comments! Thats so crazy. Your tank is GORGEOUS! The fish are looking fantastic too.

Take care,

Eddie

[Diamond Discus]

Thanks Eddie, and thanks for the comments in my photo gallery. You are too kind. I was too lazy to resize the picture for this thread. I believe those are Red Scribbelt that you like so well. They are definitely my favorites too.

[rickscics]

Just curious ,what is everyones source for drift wood ?

[H82LOS3]

WOW beautiful tanks everyone :)

[GrillMaster]

Just curious ,what is everyones source for drift wood ?

www.manzanita.com

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=68243 :thumbsup:

[cyberhog05]

I like malaysian dw. I get it from ebay. But I found out its cheaper to get it from there website heres a link:
http://www.apethouse.com/

[TankWatcher]

hey Robyn, quick question. how did you make that separation on that list tank shot? i want to do something similar but with more of a gap in the middle. is there different substrates in the divided sections? it looks great btw

Thanks, Ricardo :)
The planted areas are ADA aquasoil & the beach section is silica pool filter sand. I have rocks creating a border/retaining wall, going all the way down to the glass & siliconed in place. Naturally, there were still little gaps which would have allowed substrate mix, so sand coloured gravel was siliconed in all the gaps. In the beginning, there were still points where the ADA Aquasoil could spill into the sand area. These were blocked with more of the same matching rock. It also helps if your rock border is a little higher than the substrates on either side of it. You may still get a little spill, but the more time you spend getting your retaining wall right, the easier things will be.

At first it looked a little man made (some would say still does) but as my rocks aged & developed a little algae, they look more natural.

IMO, the trick to having twin substrates that is maintainable in the long term, is having a border that keeps them separated, and yet one you can accept having in your tank. IMO, most of those beautiful ADA Amano type layouts, where the division between the two substrates is seamless - well, I think they would be a nightmare to keep looking good. I suspect, they are not meant to be maintained long term anyway. Just my opinion.

[rickztahone]

Thanks, Ricardo :)
The planted areas are ADA aquasoil & the beach section is silica pool filter sand. I have rocks creating a border/retaining wall, going all the way down to the glass & siliconed in place. Naturally, there were still little gaps which would have allowed substrate mix, so sand coloured gravel was siliconed in all the gaps. In the beginning, there were still points where the ADA Aquasoil could spill into the sand area. These were blocked with more of the same matching rock. It also helps if your rock border is a little higher than the substrates on either side of it. You may still get a little spill, but the more time you spend getting your retaining wall right, the easier things will be.

At first it looked a little man made (some would say still does) but as my rocks aged & developed a little algae, they look more natural.

IMO, the trick to having twin substrates that is maintainable in the long term, is having a border that keeps them separated, and yet one you can accept having in your tank. IMO, most of those beautiful ADA Amano type layouts, where the division between the two substrates is seamless - well, I think they would be a nightmare to keep looking good. I suspect, they are not meant to be maintained long term anyway. Just my opinion.

very nice! roughly how big were the rocks? it's a little difficult to see from that pictures alone. it looks very natural to me and i would love to emulate the scenery since it an ideal combination to have the good soil for the plants and the white sand for the fish :D. i'm not sure if i'd have the guts to silicone anything in my 125 though since i tried re-sealing my 29T once and said that would be the last time i ever tried doing that, lol. what are the depths of the soil/sand? is it higher on the backside?

[TankWatcher]

very nice! roughly how big were the rocks? it's a little difficult to see from that pictures alone. it looks very natural to me and i would love to emulate the scenery since it an ideal combination to have the good soil for the plants and the white sand for the fish :D. i'm not sure if i'd have the guts to silicone anything in my 125 though since i tried re-sealing my 29T once and said that would be the last time i ever tried doing that, lol. what are the depths of the soil/sand? is it higher on the backside?Have a look at this thread. http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=70431&highlight=retaining+wall If you look at post 14, you will see 2 pics of my rocks before the soil & sand went in. I ended up needing to fill in the gaps a bit more than this, but it might give you an idea of the sizes I used - plus there are nice ideas from other members there too.

Just my opinion, but I think that unless you silicone things in place, this will be a nightmare when it comes to tank maintenance. If you only use just enough silicone to hold the rocks in place, it really is a much easier job to pull it apart when you want to, than say taking apart a tank is (which I've done - so I know how hard that is).

Don't forget to share pictures with us, if/when your project goes ahead.

EDIT: Started out that the ADA aquasoil was deeper in the back & less deep towards the rock border. Over time, this evened itself out. I find it always does that, unless once again you shore it up with rocks. The sand is much lower, so that I wouldn't have a deep sand bed to deal with.

[Chef]

There are some great tanks, I hope to get there again, I am setting up my 360 gal I justed broke it down it was a reef tank. I had a planted discus tank
about 8 yrs ago and I see alot of thing have changed in the hobby.
Thanks