My 60 Gallon Cube Build

[sayitfast]

Hello all… I joined the forum recently and have been spending lots of time taking in information. It’s really a great resource.

I've not had tanks for several years but I'm back and I’m excited to give Discus keeping a shot… any suggestions and help is always appreciated.

I'm starting to get all the goodies for the two tanks I’m putting together. The first tank will be a 60 gallon cube in my bedroom the second will be a large tank in the living room. I will use the small tank for growing out some smaller discus, see how that goes, then move them to the larger tank.

Water storage: I have a bathroom that sits directly behind a closet where I installed an RO system. I simply poked a small hole in the wall and ran the water feed directly into a 55 gallon storage tank. Luckily both tanks will sit close enough to drains I can just use a syphon to remove water.

http://sayitfast.com/Discus/Small_IMG_0039.jpg

http://sayitfast.com/Discus/photoro23Small.jpg

http://sayitfast.com/Discus/small_IMG_0044.JPG

http://sayitfast.com/Discus/IMG_0058.JPG

I’m planning on placing a heater inside the water storage tank and a small pump either inside or maybe outside to pump water to the tanks for changes. I really want the changes to be as easy and fast as possible.

Parts list so far:

Fluval Canister filter
Hydor heater
Designs by Nature slim-line background
Magnum HOT (I’ve used these in the past with DE to polish water)
Hydor inline heater
Jager Heater with Bulkhead fitting from Jehmco for storage tank
Spectrapure RO system (90 GPD)
AquaticLife T5 HO and Lunar Light
Mr. Aqua 60 gallon rimless cube tank
various miscellaneous necessities


I might keep the tank bare bottom to make things easier or maybe thin layer of substrate…. I just don’t know yet.
That's it for the moment… If there’s interest I will keep updating this thread with info and pics.

Thanks for looking! :)

[chrisb01]

That is one nice looking tank. You have a great plan, I wish you the best of luck with it.

I'm new to Discus myself, and I tell you, you came to the right place. The folks here are very friendly and willing to help.

[shoveltrash]

I love your dog! he/she looks a bit unsure of all the fish-stuff LOL
and am VERY envious of that nice water storage set-up (where did you get that storage barrel?). 'will be very interested in your updates :)

[Sean Buehrle]

Looks like your going all out:)

What are your plans for the ro filter, do you have bad water or something?

[Skip]

how many water changes per week/ and percentage are you planning on doing?

[sayitfast]

I love your dog! he/she looks a bit unsure of all the fish-stuff LOL
and am VERY envious of that nice water storage set-up (where did you get that storage barrel?). 'will be very interested in your updates :)
You're right my dog not exactly convinced this is all a good idea.

The water barrel is actually a rain water barrel and I added the screw on top... I purchased it form Loomis Tank (http://www.loomistank.com/) which just happens to be fairly close to where I live. But you can find them online. I actually like this one better (http://www.plastic-mart.com/item.aspx?id=3727).


Looks like your going all out:)

What are your plans for the ro filter, do you have bad water or something?

Ya... I think you commented on my post in Water Works "City Water (http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?92508-Water-questions-city-water)" I just don't trust it. It's actually installed right now and feeding the water barrel.



how many water changes per week/ and percentage are you planning on doing?

At first with smaller fist I will try to do every day 30 to 50%... but I will also be measuring the water and see what's actually going on.

[chiligum]

I'm surprised that tank hasn't got any bracing going around the top, must be strong silicone!...Because it's a cube, what dimension is one of the lengths of glass?!

[sayitfast]

I'm surprised that tank hasn't got any bracing going around the top, must be strong silicone!...Because it's a cube, what dimension is one of the lengths of glass?! It's 24X24x24 but they make rimless tanks much bigger than this.... I was not really looking for one but when I say one setup in the store I really liked it.. and it will fit perfect in my room.

[chiligum]

Thanks for the info...i was only asking because your gallons are different to mine...I like having bracing on my tanks, it gives me something to rest the plastic dust covers on to stop water evaporation.

[spiffyfish]

Another Tucsonan into discus, you are one of few people i have seen from Arizona with discus. Good luck with the build.

[sayitfast]

Another Tucsonan into discus, you are one of few people i have seen from Arizona with discus. Good luck with the build.

We seem to be a rare breed here...

[sayitfast]

Ok... I'm only missing a few items before I can start cycling the tank.

I have a Designs by Nature background that looks pretty good was not sure what to expect on the cube. I have to do a little trimming to get it in better but this gives an idea.

It will live right in the corner of my room... so now when I can't sleep I can stare at something.

http://sayitfast.com/discus/standa.jpg

http://sayitfast.com/discus/standb.jpg

http://sayitfast.com/discus/standc.jpg

LED Moonlights - iPhone camera does not do it justice

http://sayitfast.com/discus/standd.jpg

[aXio]

Looking good!

[chiligum]

It's well on it's way now, bet you cant wait?!...The good thing about having no bracing round the top is you can fit big bits of wood etc in there without all the twisting and trying 10 different ways you usually have to do before it goes in!

[shoveltrash]

looking really good!!!

[Skip]

i have a cube/stand 2x2x2 i got off craiglist for $50! :) i love it!

[sayitfast]

It's well on it's way now, bet you cant wait?!...The good thing about having no bracing round the top is you can fit big bits of wood etc in there without all the twisting and trying 10 different ways you usually have to do before it goes in!

yes.. it's killing me. I hope to have water in it by end of weekend.

[Ike]

Hello from Phoenix <- Tank looks sweet! It's my goal to go rimless in the future :D I'm guessing you saw the tanks at Arizona Nature Aquatics? :) Love that little shop. I wanted to mention too, I have that same light in 30" version and It's been great, I swapped out the Actinic bulbs for some 6700k's because I've got it in a planted set-up. What type of discus are you looking into? Breeding or Keeping?

[sayitfast]

Hello from Phoenix <- Tank looks sweet! It's my goal to go rimless in the future :D I'm guessing you saw the tanks at Arizona Nature Aquatics? :) Love that little shop. I wanted to mention too, I have that same light in 30" version and It's been great, I swapped out the Actinic bulbs for some 6700k's because I've got it in a planted set-up. What type of discus are you looking into? Breeding or Keeping?
Yes.. ANA is great I actually ordered the tank through them. I'm just looking to keep Discus at this point I will probably order from one of the site sponsors.... but there are so many different strains one day I like this one the next I like that one, hard to decide.

[Ike]

I'm in that same boat... I've got almost everything ready to keep discus except the fish themselves! I don't have a sweet tank like yours just a couple used 55g tanks, but I think I'm going to try for a pair instead of growing some out.

Sayitfast, have you ever been on AAPE? It's Arizona Aquatic Plant Enthusiasts forum, but it's really a fish forum in disguise :) there are a couple discus keepers there and range from flag to tucson. You should stop by and check it out :)

[sayitfast]

I'm in that same boat... I've got almost everything ready to keep discus except the fish themselves! I don't have a sweet tank like yours just a couple used 55g tanks, but I think I'm going to try for a pair instead of growing some out.

Sayitfast, have you ever been on AAPE? It's Arizona Aquatic Plant Enthusiasts forum, but it's really a fish forum in disguise :) there are a couple discus keepers there and range from flag to tucson. You should stop by and check it out :)
I have been to AAPE... I was looking through there last night... some seriously incredible tanks. I was initially thinking planted for this but I can grow out some discus while I setup my larger tank and then maybe I will try that.

[sayitfast]

I have cycled the tank and I've had 4 corys in there for about two weeks. Can't really see them but they're there.

I have my first Discus arriving early next week. They were part of an SD auction by Kraig Koontz. You can actually see them here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_phGzapLjY

4 of the Red Turq. and 2 Albinos are mine.

My 200gallon tank will be arriving in couple weeks and I will move the fish into that tank when its ready.

So far no major issues :bandana:

The window to the left of the tank will be getting a sun screen prior to summer they cut down the heat and light considerably. I have them on every window in my house except my room which really makes no sense... Freaking AZ hot as hell...

http://sayitfast.com/discus/91.jpg

There is some gravel at the bottom of the tank from when I dumped the Corys.

[crazycracker]

What u think of the AquaticLife light. I use it on my 12o gallon & love it. Doing live plants or anything?

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?83576-120-Gallon-Getting-started

[sayitfast]

What u think of the AquaticLife light. I use it on my 12o gallon & love it. Doing live plants or anything?

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?83576-120-Gallon-Getting-started

I really like the light... very happy with it. I will probably convert this tank to a planted tank eventually.

I'm thinking about buying one for my larger tank... looks good on yours!

[BillyinNYC]

Are you keeping it bare? White sand with a grey rock-scape would look so sweet!

[sayitfast]

Are you keeping it bare? White sand with a grey rock-scape would look so sweet!

No, probably will not stay bare... but I figured I would follow the advice of others and at least start it bare and see how that goes... I've been doing water changes and really not that bad. I have actually already purchased the white sand... CaribSea Moonlight Sand (http://www.caribsea.com/pages/products/super_nat.html)...

[sayitfast]

The fish arrived today... woo hoo! Got them from Kraig Koontz (KingdomCome discus)

4 red turqs. and 2 albinos.... they all look great to me but the albino's are simply amazing to look at. My dog has quickly taken to laying on the bed and watching them.

They look good, active and ate after only being off the plane for couple hours. They seem to be settling nicely.

These guys will be moving into my 200 gal tank in next couple weeks....

I now however understand why there are so many blurry pics of fish.... I'll try and do better next day or so.

http://sayitfast.com/discus/fishday1.jpg

[spiffyfish]

Those turqs look really good.

[shoveltrash]

congratulations!! hard to see the Albinos.....but your Turqs are lovely :)

[BillyinNYC]

Very nice! Congrats and good luck with them. Looking forward to seeing the final result for this tank set-up too.

[DLock3d]

Really nice, simple looking setup. The right piece of drift wood would be perfect in there.

[sayitfast]

Ok, here are some better pictures... my iPhone is the only camera I actually own these days so did the best I could.

http://sayitfast.com/discus/photo1.jpg

http://sayitfast.com/discus/photo2.jpg

http://sayitfast.com/discus/photo3.jpg

[FlyTekk]

Awesome setup what happened to it?

[sayitfast]

Awesome setup what happened to it?

Sadly it's in my garage right now. I got 200 gallon tank and moved everything over there. Looking at these pics I'm kinda motivated to put it back up!

[Jeff O]

its awesome! put it back up or donate it to me and il put it to good use.. LOL
-Jeff

[FlyTekk]

How often did you feed and what did you feed to grow them out? ALso how many water chages.... size and frequency on your barebottom?

[sayitfast]

How often did you feed and what did you feed to grow them out? ALso how many water chages.... size and frequency on your barebottom?

I feed them all the freaking time.... never less than 4 times. I feed variety of things.

BeefHeart Flake mixed with Vegatable flake food: Took them a bit to take to it but the love it still.
Freeze Dried Blackworms: Took to it right away
PE MYSIS Shrimp: Took some time getting used to it but they love it now. (massive protein). It's a pain in the arse though. I have to drain it before putting in the tank or it clouds the water.
Frozen Blood Worms: The attack it.
Other things here and there but the above are my staples.

I changed 80% of the water almost every day.

[FlyTekk]

Wow good info. I have freeze dried: spirulina brine, blackworms, bloodworms, and frozen blood worms, mysis, spirulina brine. As well as cichlid flakes and new life spectrum discus pellets.

No beef heart cause i heard its really messy. I dont mind feeding all the time. But the 80% water changes daily are simply not gonna fly. I can def do once a week maybe twice. What i can do daily is syphon about 4-5 gallons into a bucket sucking up all the gunk from the bottom of glass as well as cleaning all pre filter sponges and replacing filter sock in sump. Hope that will do.

[sayitfast]

so... when this tank was in my room I had a large trashcan from Home Depot on wheels. I would wheel it into the room drain the water into the trash can then use a small pump to pump the water into the yard or sink.

They sell wheels for this one:
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100138897/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=Brute+trash+can&storeId=10051#.UR1YEqWcfh4


Now on my 200 gallon tank I automated the process as much as possible so it's really a quick change. But I still do 25 -30% every other day religiously and a once a week big cleaning.

But everything I know of Discus came from more experienced users on this site and I'm not sure once a week water changes are going to be enough with juvie discus you're going to be feeding a lot.

Also keep in mind not all Mysis shrimp are the same.... PE Mysis has 70% protein whereas Hikari Mysis only has 10% (and 80% water).

I use Beef Heart Flake (http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?79659-Super-Beef-Heart-Flake-Food-info) not actual Beef Heart.

[FlyTekk]

Great i have hikari but its the bio pure brand which is supposed to be gut loaded with nutrients. Have to double check how much protien.

[rubinsteinnyc]

where did you get your fish? and what strains were tthey?

[FlyTekk]

I wanted to get yellow discus but was told that they are only yellow because they are fed a certain food that 4 weeks after the food is stoped they will lose the yellow?

[sayitfast]

where did you get your fish? and what strains were tthey?

I got mine from Kraig at Kingdom Come discus (http://forum.simplydiscus.com/forumdisplay.php?207-Kingdom-Come-Discus-Haven-(Kraig-Koontz)-Wilmore-Lexington-Kentucky). The ones in the pics on this thread were Tony Tan discus if I remember correctly. I also got some Piwowarski's from Kraig.

They Yellowish Discus in the pics above are Albino Leopard Snakeskin strain. The others are Red Turqs.

They're bigger now but still the same color. I'm not sure if the yellow strains I'v seen for sale fade or not.

[plecocicho]

Sayifast, both pe mysis and frozen mysis have the same amount of protein. Freeze dried food only has a very small percentage of reamining water, hence the higher number.

[FlyTekk]

I thought pe mysis was frozen.

[sayitfast]

I thought pe mysis was frozen.

It is...

[creativityasaweapon]

Simple yet elegant set up!