200g – high tech planted going sand and driftwood ☺

[laborelch]

I had my 200g running since 2008 – first as a planted hillstream loach setup
http://inlinethumb21.webshots.com/48660/2415641000059391507S600x600Q85.jpg

and then as a planted discus tank with varying layouts
http://inlinethumb18.webshots.com/8593/2039160360059391507S600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb47.webshots.com/47470/2729853270059391507S600x600Q85.jpg

I have 9 (pretty bland & brown) juvies growing out and want to change the tank into a sand/driftwood, low light, minimally planted layout (low maintenance is the goal).
Reduced my stock from 30+ to only 18 fish and got someone to pick up my plants 2 weeks ago (felt bad throwing them on the compost). Background is glued in and curing, working on the hardscape later today.
http://inlinethumb15.webshots.com/48654/2432647820059391507S600x600Q85.jpg

[mmd]

beautiful
how long is the tank, looks longer then 6 foot
what is the halide wattage?
co2 ?

[DiscusBR]

Very nice. I like the first setup a lot (first photo). But I agree that it is a good idea to go minimalist, with sand, driftwood and low light. Keep us posted!

[Second Hand Pat]

Steffi, make it really easy and grow the plants on the wood. Nice tank and you certainly have a flare for doing a nice scape. I have a up and running 230 and love the big tanks. It has a background, DW and thin sand layer with no plants.

Have fun with your tank and hope to see the hardscape soon.
Pat

[laborelch]

beautiful
how long is the tank, looks longer then 6 foot
what is the halide wattage?
co2 ?

It's an 8 foot tank. It was setup with 2x400w HQI's and pressurized/ph controlled CO2. I tried to find lower watt HQI's now that I'm changing over to non-planted, but the smallest ones that I could find were 250w's. Anyone know if there are double-ended HQI's less than 250w available? Preferably in 6700-8000K range?



Very nice. I like the first setup a lot (first photo). But I agree that it is a good idea to go minimalist, with sand, driftwood and low light. Keep us posted!

Thanks. The hillstream setup actually had a river tank manifold design with 2 Aquaclear 110 power heads built in to create an uni-directional flow (for whoever is interested in this, here a very good site: http://www.loaches.com/articles/hillstream-loaches-the-specialists-at-life-in-the-fast-lane). I might dig up some pictures and post them in the non-discus freshwater fish section.

[Melissa]

Ohhhh LOVELY tank Steffi... You definitely have a flare for designing a beautiful set up!

[laborelch]

worked on the tank last night - and am pretty happy with it .... (couldn't decide which pic to post, so here are a bunch:) )

http://inlinethumb54.webshots.com/50101/2259556520059391507S600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb50.webshots.com/42161/2763583420059391507S600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb45.webshots.com/30380/2308407820059391507S600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb58.webshots.com/49657/2560781350059391507S600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb11.webshots.com/48394/2909248340059391507S600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb40.webshots.com/47527/2777478930059391507S600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb42.webshots.com/48105/2216565840059391507S600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb36.webshots.com/49443/2221894230059391507S600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb53.webshots.com/46964/2285762090059391507S600x600Q85.jpg

[Rummy]

It looks beautiful. Can't wait to see it once it is all settled down. Keep us updated please.

Anik

[Second Hand Pat]

It looks awesome. I like new scape very much. :)

[Darrell Ward]

Looks a lot better without all the weeds. At least it has decent lighting, and not those pitiful LEDs the kids now think are so great. Would look good with some wild discus.

[Altum Nut]

Steffi,

Extremely remarkable turn around.
Your set-up is something I plan on in the near future.
Great job again.

...Ralph

[shoveltrash]

BEAUTIFUL tank!!!

[MPETERS]

Hi,

Gteat looking tank. You did a wonderful job. Keep the pictures comming.

MIke

[alleykat0498]

Hqi bulbs are available in lower wattages, but the bulbs have different end caps than the 250's.

Google lightspectrumenterprises I ran their 150's over my cube for a while.

[Disgirl]

That tank looks just great, I really like it lot! How many and what kind of "kings" to go in there?
Barb

[DiscusBR]

It looks TERRIFIC :thumbsup:

[Andrew5]

looks nice wow

[3dees]

I agree with Darrell. that scape is made for wilds. well done.

[laborelch]

Hqi bulbs are available in lower wattages, but the bulbs have different end caps than the 250's.

Google lightspectrumenterprises I ran their 150's over my cube for a while.

Yeah, that's the info I had - my fixture is double ended and I'm too much of a girl to try to rewire it. So I'll stay with the 250's for now. Having a bunch of lotus growing that will provide some shade soon.


That tank looks just great, I really like it lot! How many and what kind of "kings" to go in there?
Barb

Thanks! (and to all the other's that like my layout) - planning to stock it with my 9 (brown, non-wild) juvies, mom (red cover) and pops (blue diamond). Had wilds before and although I liked them and got them to raise a batch of fry, I'll play safe here and go with my own-grown :-). Plan is to cut down on maintenance and have outgoing fish that are not skittish. :) Also going in there will be 4 angelfish (1 black, 2 koi, 1 wild) , 6 geo's (Geophagus paranaibae) from Ryan and 7 GBR's from Bill (Inland Empire Discus).

[mmd]

i had 4 large angels in my 150 with large discus 4-5 inches plus, once the angels hooked up all heck broke loose. now im down to 1 angel. just an fyi , breeding angels can be bastards

[laborelch]

i had 4 large angels in my 150 with large discus 4-5 inches plus, once the angels hooked up all heck broke loose. now im down to 1 angel. just an fyi , breeding angels can be bastards

been thinking about this risk and if the angels don't behave they'll have to leave the 200g and go back to the bare bottom until they find a new home.

[DiscusLoverJeff]

What an incredible looking setup. I would love to find a tank that size in acrylic in my area (and have a wife who would see it as something more than just another expense, Lol). It would make for a nice wild discus tank for sure.

Keep up the good work!

[Forefish]

Awesome tank! Where do you get your sand and driftwood?

[Jorge Lamy]

Amazing!
I would go to wilds ;)

[judy]

That is absolutely gorgeous.... can't wait to see it with the plants grown up....

[laborelch]

Awesome tank! Where do you get your sand and driftwood?

Thanks! Sand is pool filter sand (SCP), driftwood came mainly from PC1 (the big branched ones) and manzanita.com (logs)

[fishcop444]

I see you have your attack snails in already! Nice tank, pretty good biotope setup.

[manitu]

only got one thing to say,that tank looks bloody fantastic !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

best tank ive seen to date !!!!!!!

[jimg]

Very Nice! you have a touch for aqua-scaping I like the pieces of wood too. nice job!

[krucianking]

That tank would look much better in my living room. Sike! that thing is just awesome great work man.

[laborelch]

Thanks! :)

Plants have been growing a bit and I added 4 geo's and 2 angels so far. Two more angels and 7 GBR's will be going in there Sunday. More pics to come.

[chiligum]

8 Foot of perfection!...Angels are the best Fish for bringing shy Discus out all the time, don't know if it's because they're a similiar shape or what, but the Discus are a lot braver with an Angel in with them.

[ghurlag]

Every single configuration you have pictured in this thread is inspirational. I really loved the densely planted iteration. The driftwood you have now looks amazing.

[laborelch]

2 of my wood shrimp in an argument over who get's the rock :argue:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sY97AOc8-c

[dadecountyalan]

if thats a crayfish in there he might give you problems. a friend of mine had a crayfish that killed a couple juvies while they slept at night.

[laborelch]

if thats a crayfish in there he might give you problems. a friend of mine had a crayfish that killed a couple juvies while they slept at night.

no worries - these aren't crayfish. They're called wood shrimp (bamboo shrimp or singapore shrimp) and are actually filter feeders. They can't even harm a snail :angel:

[Ryan]

Steffi, I love that tank. My 6' tanks are great but an 8' would be really nice to have. I also spied one of my little grandkids in that video... it looks like they've really packed on some size! I hope they are doing well for you. They will make great tankmates for the fish you've got picked out and should also keep your sand sifted.

[laborelch]

Thanks Ryan! Took another vid last night, featuring your "little grandkids" and my 2 koi angels that have decided to lay eggs (got wrigglers today, so I guess I can call them "confirmed" :)). The geo's have been growing nicely and do an amazing job at keeping the sand clean. Love the red and blue on their fins (can't really see in the video).


http://youtu.be/vC4ZtcGAV40

[Glenn36]

What type of eartheaters are they? They look like `Bahia red sp.`. Geo`s are very cool cichlids. Awesome looking tank!

[Ryan]

They're Geophagus parnaibae, a small and relatively uncommon Geo. They max out at about 6". They are similar to G. pindare but with a different tail pattern.

They look amazing, Steffie. They've really put on some size. You must be treating them like discus. ;)

[HKN]

nice....

[dadecountyalan]

no worries - these aren't crayfish. They're called wood shrimp (bamboo shrimp or singapore shrimp) and are actually filter feeders. They can't even harm a snail :angel:

oh my bad. when i saw the picture i was like nooooo! but then i just saw the video and im kinda convinced i want some lol

[Schmolly]

Unreal tank!

[BillyinNYC]

Ah...loved loved loved! Discus and plants--my two favorite things! I really liked the earlier discuss set-up (densely planted) but also love the new, more minimal/wild design. Great job!

[Wilky]

Great looking tank!!!!