Changed the whole tank around.....Pix!

[grindman620]

So for the last 3 weeks I have been cycling my new 60 gallon trying to get it prepped and ready before my Discus Plant package ( http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?91376-Purchased-this...... ) arrives in the next week or two. After joining this forum and seeing all the beautiful planted Discus tanks I was really starting to dislike my choice in substrate (fluorite and gravel on top). After much internal debating and constant googly-eyed moments on this site.................. I went ahead and changed to sand. I left a thin layer of the fluorite on the bottom (as I could not remove all the contents from the previous substrate). If anyone has changed their substrate from fluorite/gravel to sand, it is messy to say the least. I feel a lot happier with the change, but I sure as heck don't ever want to do this again lol 5 hours of work yesterday gave me a headache. I went with the CaribSea Super Naturals Sand. Has anyone used this? Good/bad experiences? Here are some before and after shots (still a work in progress of course):

Sorry if the shots aren't too clear, these were with my phone.

Before:

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii216/grindman620/IMAG0710.jpg
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii216/grindman620/IMAG0711.jpg
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii216/grindman620/IMAG0712.jpg
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii216/grindman620/IMAG0713.jpg

During:

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii216/grindman620/IMAG0715.jpg
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii216/grindman620/IMAG0716.jpg
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii216/grindman620/IMAG0717.jpg


After:

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii216/grindman620/IMAG0719.jpg
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii216/grindman620/IMAG0720.jpg
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii216/grindman620/IMAG0723.jpg
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii216/grindman620/IMAG0724.jpg
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii216/grindman620/IMAG0725.jpg
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii216/grindman620/IMAG0726.jpg
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii216/grindman620/IMAG0727.jpg

[DLock3d]

Awesome background

[DiscusBR]

Smart decision to go with sand. Much easier to clean. And the new setup looks great. Make sure the tank if fully cycled before adding discus.

[grindman620]

@DLock3d - Thanks for the background compliments. I actually picked that up from PetSmart lol As much as I try to stay away from those large stores, they had a good background selection for 24inch tall tanks.

@DiscusBR - Yeah I really hope that the sand was a smart decision. I just read that there were a good amount of benefits going with it. After all the work I put into changing it around, I am happy with it. And you better believe I will be cycling this tank for some time before I add any discus. I am getting the plants too soon and after I get the plants situated..........I am hoping that in about a month or so I will start shopping around for Discus.

Keep the comments coming please!

[waterboy]

sorry but i thought disscus like calmer water if so why the wave maker? just asking lol

[grindman620]

The water was very stagnent on that end of the tank. It needs some sort of circulation. This will really help the plants as well from what I have read

[waterboy]

oh ok so its not realy strong then? I have sponge filters in mine i herd was realy good for discus

[zchauvin]

The water was very stagnent on that end of the tank. It needs some sort of circulation. This will really help the plants as well from what I have read

Grindman, imo id ditch the powerhead. The filter you have is plenty big enough. If you think its a dead spot, then just drop something in there. That filter will push plenty of water. Just put spraybar ect... Going side to side, not front to back. You don't want your discus to fight a current and you don't want there food flying around. They graze off bottom very slowly. With low light and no high fert or co2 regimen algae won't grow, you may see diatomes but that come from silicates in your tap water. Current is not the problem. Once your plants are in you will see that they sway in the current without the powerhead.

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[grindman620]

Well then....lol

Anyone want to purchase a brand new Hydor Koralia 750? lol The guy from the place I am buying the plants from was the one who recommended some more water flow (aka this device specifically)

[peterhql]

agree on the no powerhead. you should just move the intake to one side and the outtake to the other side. that fixes everything. Filter does all the work.

[Stag]

I really like those 60 gallon tanks. I am trying to find one myself. Is that a Petsmart/Petco special?

The sand looks much better and I think that is the first pictoral background I have have seen that I like.

Good Job!

[PleiadesSTi]

I have that exact background and heater. Petsmart ftw!!! :)

[zchauvin]

Well then....lol

Anyone want to purchase a brand new Hydor Koralia 750? lol The guy from the place I am buying the plants from was the one who recommended some more water flow (aka this device specifically)

He recommended it because you told him you had a planted tank :) Not to mention he made about 15 bucks off of you

[grindman620]

@peterhql - thanks for the idea there, I dono if I have enough tubing for the filter to be able to move the outtake/intake, but Ill check

@stag - Yes I got a heck of a deal at Petsmart on the tank, hood, lights, and stand for $230

@ PleiadesSTi - Great minds think alike!!


So no one wants to buy a brand new powerhead? lol :p

[walt3]

just a response on the powerhead... depending on strenght and location a power head is just fine in a discus tank. i have a right to left 2217 spray bar across a 75 gallon tank, a ac70 on the right side faceing forward, a powerhead on back left wall shooting across the back wall to the right and a large air pump hooked to a simple stone in the far left rear. all this was slowly added to get the water to have a MELLOW flow. food slowly sinks no fish struggle to hold position and no dead spots. the plants are doing well and the fish love the enviroment. very mellow scene without any sign of strong current. your milage may varyy of coarse.. lol. :)69877

[zchauvin]

Walt.... Your just lucky Haha my 2217 was so strong I had to point the outflow up so that my tank wouldn't be spinning lol. And with the spray bar pointed to lights the food still moves on bottom, go figure and you have two filters and a power head... Phew I could see that on my tank Haha

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[TWA]

It appears you have beard algae on one of the vals? Like the forth picture and another later. I would try to get that under control before it spreads and you have a problem with it forever. Otherwise nice looking tank!

[grindman620]

Thanks TWA, how do you get rid of beard algae????????/

[zchauvin]

Thanks TWA, how do you get rid of beard algae????????/

Excel spot dosing. Put double dose in syringe and turn off filter squirt straight onto effected area and wait tenish minutes and turn filter on.... Could also kill val so be careful.

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