My 240 cube planted/discuss tank introduction

[seancj]

Hello all.
I just joined this forum a few weeks ago and have really enjoyed and learned alot from lurking around. I've started my first freshwater aquarium several weeks ago and am planning on adding some discus in the next couple of weeks. The tank has been running for 12 weeks now. Fully cycled with several bottles of Tetra Safe Start and then the addition of several goldfish for several weeks. Plants have been added sporadically over that time period as well. All water chemistry parameters are ideal at this point, temperature is at 83 degrees.
The goldfish have been traded back to the fishstore and the tank is now stocked with several community fish.
I feel the tank is finally ready for me to show off some photos of where I am at this point.
Below are several pics of my 240 cube aquarium.
The tank is a custom made acrylic cubish style with rimless design fabricated by a local acrylic craftsman and friend. I designed the tank specifically to be used as a saltwater reef tank, which I had for many years (got out of that hobby a few years ago). I designed and built the stand and floating canopy to compliment my home theater cabinetry.
The tank itself measures 48" x 48" x 24" (4x4x2). It is 1" thick acrylic all the way around. The stand is 36" tall with access on all three viewing sides. Made from birch wood, stained with 'red mahogany', sealed and laquered with 3 coats of satin laquer.
I fabricated the current sump from an old 40 gallon breeder tank and added a Fluval FX5 as my filtration. I am also running a 15 watt UV sterilizer inline with the return pump.
Lighting consists of an Aquamedic Oceanlight pendant with 2 250 watt DE 6700K bulbs and currently 2 14K T5 flourescents. I'll be adding an additional 4 T5 10K bulbs in a week or so.
I dose Seachem Flourish and Seachem Flourish Excel twice per week recommended dosage.
I'm hoping to come across a good deal on a Co2 package one of these days.
I have about a dozen or so various plants purchased over the last several weeks.
Fish consists of several neon green tetras, regular neon tetras, glo light tetras, some cardinal tetras, 5 baby (2") roseline sharks, a few cherry barbs, 5 siamese algae eaters, and 50 baby cherry red shrimp.
Last night I put a deposit on 5 2.5" blue diamonds and 5 2.5" snow whites from 'Backyard Discus'. If all goes well with their import, they should be at my place in two weeks or so.
Anyway, here are some photos I took tonight of the tank and the aquascaping. I can't wait for the discus as I'm sure they will add alot to this tank's appeal.
The water is a tad bit cloudy as I just performed a water change just a bit ago. I also have a cover for the back sides of the tank to hide the plumbing but I need to modify it to accomodate the new FX5 return and drain plumbing. When its all finished, you would be able to see any plumbing at all. I hope to replace the standard FX5 tubing with the glass ADA style piping asap.
Let me know what you think.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90/sonofgaladriel/DSC00030Medium.jpg
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[Eddie]

Wow, that is a gorgeous tank/stand, I really like it. You've done a great job putting all together. You are definitely an expert with wood!

Take care,

Eddie

[seancj]

Thank you Eddie! The stand was a labor of love to be sure.
I just noticed how 'yellow' the photos look. Not sure why. The tank is much more clear and bright than how it appears in the photos.

[Dkarc@Aol.com]

I am seriously jealous. I think I remember seeing this tank up on Reef Central back in the day (or atleast one just like it). Either way, it is a killer discus tank. it is a perfect size and the dimensions are even better.

-Ryan

[Eddie]

Thank you Eddie! The stand was a labor of love to be sure.
I just noticed how 'yellow' the photos look. Not sure why. The tank is much more clear and bright than how it appears in the photos.

If you don't mind a bit of advice, I would add a group of sub-adults to that tank. Discus at 2.5" will need alot of maintenance to grow them out. Not that you can't do it in there but it will be alot of work on your part. I just want you to fully enjoy the experience of outstanding fish inside that gorgeous tank.

Just a tip my friend! Take care

Eddie

[seancj]

Yes, this is the tank/stand that was featured on reefcentral several years ago.
Here is an old video of the tank when it was a reef:
http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y90/sonofgaladriel/?action=view&current=Reefunder20Ks.flv

[seancj]

If you don't mind a bit of advice, I would add a group of sub-adults to that tank. Discus at 2.5" will need alot of maintenance to grow them out. Not that you can't do it in there but it will be alot of work on your part. I just want you to fully enjoy the experience of outstanding fish inside that gorgeous tank.

Just a tip my friend! Take care

Eddie
Thanks for the advice Eddie.
Unfortunately, I have already placed my order with Backyard Discus for the 2.5" specimens. I'm not sure I could afford larger specimens in the quantity I was looking for and I was really looking forward to watching them shoal as I've heard the younger specimens will do more frequently than the larger ones.
What is it about larger tanks and smaller discus that causes the concern? I would be grateful for any advice and tips on what to be aware of.
Thanks again.

[Eddie]

Thanks for the advice Eddie.
Unfortunately, I have already placed my order with Backyard Discus for the 2.5" specimens. I'm not sure I could afford larger specimens in the quantity I was looking for and I was really looking forward to watching them shoal as I've heard the younger specimens will do more frequently than the larger ones.
What is it about larger tanks and smaller discus that causes the concern? I would be grateful for any advice and tips on what to be aware of.
Thanks again.

Its just that juveniles require more feedings IMO and of food that will put size on them. You can do it, its just a little more work. ;)

Take care

[Patr1ck]

Tank looks great. Did you mention that you had a lid for it? I'd hate for one of your fish to hop out. My first set of juvies were grown in a 90 gallon planted tank. That will be 2 years ago this month. I bought some juvies in March and have been growing them out in a bb 29 gallon. The new fish have almost caught the first batch in size (about 1/4" difference) and its only been 5 months. The older ones are still growing but very slowly. They all have a total length of @5" except for my new, new ones that came on Saturday from Backyard Discus.
Your fish will grow much faster/easier in a bb tank as the poo can be removed much more efficiently. When these new guys (2nd set) get bigger they will be put in the 90 gallon with the first set. Im thinking @ December and on into next year for the new, new ones.

hth,
Pat

[rickztahone]

Tank looks great. Did you mention that you had a lid for it? I'd hate for one of your fish to hop out...
Pat

Sean, i must agree with Pat here. discus are known jumpers and it should be something you are aware of. i know it will detract from the beauty of an open top tank but just be aware that it's a possibility. it looks gorgeous btw, and it also did when it was a SW tank

[seancj]

Thank you all for the kind replies and advice. I do actually have a 'top' for this tank. Its a simple 50"x50" section of window screen stapled to some 1x2's on the edges:D Its not pretty, but its simple to put on and off and its effective. I think I lost about 15 tetras to 'carpet surfing' over the past several weeks and the screen has stopped that altogether.
I put this screen over the tank all night as well as during the day when I'm at work or away from home for extended periods of time. Of course its off when I'm viewing the tank or at home and can check the tank from time to time.
I should look into something perhaps a bit more asthetically pleasing that can stay on all the time but still allow for easy access for feeding and maintenance.

[j_li8]

very nice looking tank. i like how you have a lot of plants but have placed them where you can still see the fish and everythign else. Good thing you have a lid. Even with a lid, if you hear them jump you will instinctively turn to look and see. I just did about 5 minutes ago when one of them decided to jump a bit.

[Eddie]

Yup, lost 2 of my favorites in the last 3 months from small gaps on the sides! :(

Eddie

[grantbudd74]

just curious but in your photos the front section looks warped and bowed outward. Anyone else see this or is it the camera? Could be worth thinking of or bracing it maybe?

[Discus-n00b]

Great looking tank! Love the 3 sided viewing of a Cube. Did this used to be a reef tank? Could of sworn i've seen one just like it as a reef tank. Seems like it was in the same place in a house and stuff too.

[DiscusKeeper403]

Yes, this is the tank/stand that was featured on reefcentral several years ago.
Here is an old video of the tank when it was a reef:
http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y90/sonofgaladriel/?action=view&current=Reefunder20Ks.flv

Wow that is the first reef that has ever even remotely made me want to start keeping saltwater. It looked amazing!!!!

[Eddie]

just curious but in your photos the front section looks warped and bowed outward. Anyone else see this or is it the camera? Could be worth thinking of or bracing it maybe?

Yeah, the front section does look bowed, not excessive but a little bowed. :o

Eddie

[Harriett]

Thank you all for the kind replies and advice. I do actually have a 'top' for this tank. Its a simple 50"x50" section of window screen stapled to some 1x2's on the edges:D Its not pretty, but its simple to put on and off and its effective. I think I lost about 15 tetras to 'carpet surfing' over the past several weeks and the screen has stopped that altogether.
I put this screen over the tank all night as well as during the day when I'm at work or away from home for extended periods of time. Of course its off when I'm viewing the tank or at home and can check the tank from time to time.
I should look into something perhaps a bit more asthetically pleasing that can stay on all the time but still allow for easy access for feeding and maintenance.

Sean, it looks AWESOME without a lid, I adore the asthetics. Your workmanship is outstanding, great tank! Discus JUMP and the law of averages is: they will jump when you aren't in the room, if they jump on carpet you won't hear them even if you are in the house [no slap slap slap on the floor] AND it will be your favorite best fish that jumps...my personal experience anyhow!
Find an esthetically pleasing solution you can live with!
Excellent tank, thanks for sharing!
Harriett

[seancj]

Thanks again all for the kind words and wisdom with the lid. I'll have something in place before the discus arrive in two weeks. I had not read that discus were jumpers and I'm glad that you all are making me aware of this.
There is indeed a slight bow to the top edge. I expected this even when I designed the tank many years ago. A small price to pay for the rimless design. I went with acrylic for many reasons (12 1" holes drilled in the back and bottom panes for the closed loop), but mostly because our pool table is only 3 feet away from the tank. I have two boys and I felt acrylic was safer than glass in this regard.:D

[Discus-n00b]

Oh i totally missed that RC link. I knew it!! Loved it back then.

[Scribbles]

Beautiful tank and stand! I can't wait to see pictures with discus in it. What strains did you order?

Chris

[seancj]

Thank you Chris. I'll post some more pics when the discus arrive and are swimming about.
I ordered 5 blue diamonds and 5 snow whites. They are sending me a free 'tropical beauty' as well.

[calihawker]

Another reefer turned discus keeper! Absolutely great job in both respects.;) Can't wait to see it with discus.

[darbex]

I like the tank. You may already know this but you will get better growth from the plants if you had a closed loop filtration instead of the wet/dry. It adds to much oxygen to the water. If you are using CO2 then you are wasting it. I cant wait to see the pics with the discus in it.

[Disgirl]

I really like that tank! It will be amazing with discus in it, please post pics when you get them so we can all admire it from afar :D!
Barb

[Yassmeena]

Hey Sean,

I love your tank. You balanced positive and negative space in that tank in a great way - hard to do in a cube!

I have a couple questions...

1 - what's your substrate, and how are you finding it with the plants?

2 - What is that gorgeous purple stem plant you have in 2 areas? Is that l. repens rubin? How are you keeping such great color without CO2 and dry fertz - amazing!

So, did I tell you I love your tank? :D:p;) :D:D

Yasmin

PS - I have heard that Siamese Algae Eaters are not good tank mates for discus. I don't have any personal experience with them, but maybe post about it in the tankmates section. After spending so much on discus, i'm sure you wouldn't want SAEs harming them...

[darbex]

I didnt see the SAEs. I wouldnt do it they will go after their slime coat. I had o-cats in mine which are less aggressive and once they realized their slime coat is tasty they started going after them when they could.

[Chef]

Very nice tank. I also remeber the tank on RC awhile back. I too have broken down my 360 reef to set up my planted discus tank. I have been out of the discus hobby for about 8 yrs. and alot has changed..
very nice tank

[Patr1ck]

I was thinking about your tank the other day and though about a canopy idea. What about making one out of wood just like the base to fit over the rim to "cage" the top of the tank. You could make it alittle taller to house the light in it too. Ill bet it would turn out really nice if you did it. Going by the way the rest of the woodwork looks I know it would look really nice.

Pat

[seancj]

Thanks for all the kind words everyone.
I've moved some of the plants around to open up the middle a bit more.
As far as a canopy; I really wanted to keep the open top/rimless 'look' so I've decided to simply put some glass sections over the tank to prevent jumpers.
Probably go with 3 18" wide sections so I can easily move them for maintenance and feeding.
I thought about a full wood canopy to match the stand, but I think that would be over bearing and draw attention away from the tank itself.
I just added two more T5 fixtures. Both have a 10K and 'pink' 54 watt bulb. This brings lighting to 2 10K's, 2 pink's, 2 14K blue's, and two 250 watt 6700K halides. The T5's are now on from 9AM to 8PM. The halides are on from 3PM to 7PM.
My 5 blue diamond, 5 snow whites, and 1 superwhite butterfly will be here next Tuesday. I'm very excited and hope they all arrive happy and healthy.
I'll post some more pics Tuesday evening.

[stephcps]

That is an amzing tank!! Can't wait to see it with the discus!!