215g Planted Tank... First pics

[bstreep]

OK, so I got the plants out of quarantine, and planted them tonight. A bit cloudy, as I stirred things up some. That and a lousy point-n-shoot. In June, I'll buy 10 juveniles to grow out in my old SW Refugium.

I didn't take rear photos, 'cause the back is ugly (it's a see-thru, in the wall tank). Here are a couple FTS:

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z157/bstreep/IMG_2121.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z157/bstreep/IMG_2123.jpg

[erikc]

Wow, that's a trully gorgeous setup, well thought out.

I just love the balance between the plants and driftwood, it shows that you have experience in this !

IMO I would stay with only one variety of discus, this will enable to keep the overall harmony of the tank.

Why juveniles ? I would put 10 adults straight into the tank once cycled. You will have to wait before they grow out before introducing them.

Thanks for sharing.

P.S. If you are thinking of wilds you will need some sand in there.

[jball1125]

Beautiful! There is nothing wrong with growing out some juvies but for the sake of us picture addicts, get some adults so we can see this thing filled with fish already! Lol

I agree that this tank would look great with only one strain.

[ZX10R]

That tank is going to look great with some discus in it.

[bstreep]

Thanks, guys. I'm in no hurry!

The tank has a handful of bristlenose in it, and 8 rams that are now looking puzzled and lost!

I have a LFS getting me 50 or so cardinals, so they too can get lost!

Just want things to take hold before getting discus - I guess I'm enjoying the ride. I come from 35 years of Salt Water - where patience is the only way things work well.

[Wahter]

Since you have black substrate, I'd recommend avoiding most pigeon blood strains (unless you know they are clean) or else they will show peppering. (Only if that bothers you though).



Walter

[manitu]

i second that wahter it right dark substrate looks great but all youre discus will look darker even blue diamond

Gerald

[rickztahone]

Since you have black substrate, I'd recommend avoiding most pigeon blood strains (unless you know they are clean) or else they will show peppering. (Only if that bothers you though).



Walter

leave it to Walter to take the words right out of my mouth :p;). avoid pigeons. other than that, the tank looks great

[Harriett]

Another similar thought, if you are drawn to the look of pigeons, you can get a similar look from many albinos these days. Additionally, albinos have no expressed gene for pepper or bar in them and would be gorgeous.
It's a fine tank you have there and with the patience you have well learned, I see you building an amazing and thoughtful environment--I hope to follow your progress. Enjoy the journey!
Best regards,
Harriett

[crazycracker]

I am by no way a "know it all" but remember reading or been told w/ Albinos, some Reds or I guess lighter color strains w/ that dark substrait or even dark backgrounds (I know its a see thru tank) - It's a good possibility that they will pepper more than white sand. I maybe wrong but could sworn I read this on here

[blkg35]

Amazing setup. Looking forward to seeing some discus in there.
Are those manzanita driftwood you have in there?

[srusso]

Wow, that's a trully gorgeous setup, well thought out.

I just love the balance between the plants and driftwood, it shows that you have experience in this...

I totally agree! Beautiful! That wood must have cost a fortune! Very nice, please bump this post once in a blue, would love to see more pictures as the plants grow out.

I also agree with erikc, go with only one type it will complete the look.

[saltydog]

I did saltwater for 12 years and just this past January went to a discus planted tank in my 180 for my first "real" FW tank. I absolutely LOVE it and never looked back nor do I miss salt at all. Good luck and look forward to seeing this progress.

I agree on the dark substrate. I wish I had found this info from the beginning. i went with eco complete for my substrate and got several pigeon blood strains from not the best of lines from LFS's and they have quite a bit of peppering. I have since put some lighter colored substrate on top of the eco complete to see if that will make a difference. I still love the fish but i would not do it again if I had to do over and will now look for cleaner strains.
Anyway live and learn.

Tank looks Great!!!

[Eddie]

I am by no way a "know it all" but remember reading or been told w/ Albinos, some Reds or I guess lighter color strains w/ that dark substrait or even dark backgrounds (I know its a see thru tank) - It's a good possibility that they will pepper more than white sand. I maybe wrong but could sworn I read this on here


No, Albinos do not pepper whatsoever. You can stick them in totally black tank and they will not have a single speck. ;)

Eddie

[bstreep]

Thanks for the advice on stocking.

The manzanita came from Rich at www.manzanita.com which really wasn't all that expensive. The plants and fluorite were each more expensive. It took over a month to sink, though, and one piece still floats at one end.

Some clearer pics, from both sides:

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z157/bstreep/IMG_2194.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z157/bstreep/IMG_2193.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z157/bstreep/IMG_2192.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z157/bstreep/IMG_2195.jpg

[crazycracker]

No, Albinos do not pepper whatsoever. You can stick them in totally black tank and they will not have a single speck. ;)

Eddie

Again, I said I wasn't by any way, shape, or form a "Discus Know-It-All" - just trying to help out w/ the new tank before he starts stocking

Thanks - 4 letting me know about the Albinos

[catgoldfish]

Nice tank! It always nice to have some green and brown colours.

[fishorama]

I love the wood arrangement. Is it flourite sand or regular black? It'll be great to see how it looks after all the plants grow & the discus are in.

[bstreep]

It's fluorite.

[bstreep]

An update - we have some rams, bristlenose, and 80 cardinals:

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z157/bstreep/IMG_2287.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z157/bstreep/IMG_2287.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z157/bstreep/IMG_2306.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z157/bstreep/IMG_2308.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z157/bstreep/IMG_2327.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z157/bstreep/IMG_2331.jpg

[DiscusKev]

Like the looks of the cardinal tetras schooling :thumbsup:

[Sharkbait]

Good luck with the rams...I've never had success with those guys.

[crazycracker]

Cardinals look great - I always liked Rams - I may try some w/ the new setup