Discus 55 with a few plants.

[Bif24701]

I have kept a number of aquariums for years. Everything from a full SPS reef tank too a African Rift lake tank and a brackish water tank. I have always wanted a planted discus aquarium.

My wife found a used 55 on CL in good shape. This is technically her aquarium. I'm just giving her my input (haha).
Equipment:
Flirtation will be a Fluval 406, I have been very happy with my 305 and the cost is right. The 406 will have mostly bio media from Eheim and last section will have polishing pads for extra clean water. I will install fine sponges on each intake that will be removed each cleaning. Also a Marineland Emperor 400 (possibly will be replaced with a AC 110).
Lighting is a Aquaticlife 48" T5HO 2x54 watt
Aquascape will be a BB tank with drift wood or roots and some potted plants for easy removal for cleaning.

No CO2 and the tabs for fertz.

I have a RO/DI unit however I would like to use conditioned tap water to make daily water changes possible. I will need to find a place to store water over night in a food grade 55 gallon plastic barrel. Water changes will include a good vacuuming and rinsing filter media and prefilters.

Feeding will mostly be frozen but will include freeze dried and flakes occasionally.

I plan to buy near adult size discus 4"+ from a imported in Cal. That should minimize shipping risks as I live in Arizona.

I'm sure there is something I missing, however I would love to hear some thoughts and what ever input you have!

Thank you

Pics coming soon



5+ Aquariums
Reef, Planted, African Chiclids, soon to be: Discus

[Bill63SG]

Seems fine to me.Personally,no need to change the emperor 400 unless you already have the ac110,How many discus?You want at least 5,6 is better,and once they reach adult,not alot of room in a 55 for any other fish.Personnaly I'd lay off the plants until the fish are grown,and thats my 2cents.Good luck.

[Bif24701]

I'll be upgrading sometime, however the 55 was too good kinda deal. 6 would be great. I'll hang I'm to the emporor for now, but it is loud! And the tank is in the bed room.

I have a Ehiem jäger heater, 300 watts will this be enough without a cover?


5+ Aquariums
Reef, Planted, African Chiclids, soon to be: Discus

[Bill63SG]

300watts is more then enough,especially in living quaters.My basement dosen't get over 65 in the winter.My 400's were,are pretty quite,if you have'nt already,I'd break it apart and give it a good cleaning.Maybe the magnet on the impeller is scoured,and needs to be replaced.Or if its older and has the lever in the back that goes up and down to regulate flow,make sure its all the way up,I find that the quietest.

[zimmjeff]

good luck on your first discus adventure. You will want to get a top for the tank. It takes alot of heat to keep the temp up in the 80s and they will jump out of the tank on you.

[Bif24701]

I Didnt know about the flow valve in the rear, maybe that's it! Thanks.


5+ Aquariums
Reef, Planted, African Chiclids, soon to be: Discus

[Bill63SG]

Mine are grey and it lifts/slides straight up and down.Newer models don't have,so yours might not.

[discuspaul]

You seem to have done your homework well, bif, and should be off to a good start.
Best of luck to you.

[shoveltrash]

I have a Ehiem jäger heater, 300 watts will this be enough without a cover?
I like to have two heaters, just in case......if one fails then at least you have a backup!

I plan to buy near adult size discus 4"+ from a imported in Cal. That should minimize shipping risks as I live in Arizona. good for you....I got fish from Ca, shipped all the way to NC :D. and they're doing great. please do take some pics when you are set up!
good luck & welcome to the forum :)

ps - your filtration is way more high tech than mine LOL. I have a 65 with 2 sponge filters, and that's it!

[BiggDogg66]

Welcome to Discus hobby!!!! I don't know where you live but the BEST place to get discus from is Mike Beals. He's on this board. I've attached a link to his board and his website so you can see his stock. Great quality and great prices, always!! Good luck with your venture!

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?94570-NEW-MARCH-2012-quot-FISHTRADEZONE-quot-SHIPMENT-IS-READY-TO-GO!!!!!

http://www.centralohiodiscus.com/

[Bif24701]

I have been advised that RO/DI water may not be best, and conditioned water is much more convenient. So what is an example of a serviceable water conditioner?


5+ Aquariums
Reef, Planted, African Chiclids, soon to be: Discus

[Bill63SG]

Prime or SAFE seem to be the main choice around here.I yse SAFE,powdered form of Pime because its cheaper with bigger water changes.

[Bif24701]

Prime initial cost is large, but it pays off by being highly concentrated?


5+ Aquariums
Reef, Planted, African Chiclids, soon to be: Discus

[Bif24701]

You seem to have done your homework well, bif, and should be off to a good start.
Best of luck to you.

Thanks to you Discuspaul!


5+ Aquariums
Reef, Planted, African Chiclids, soon to be: Discus

[Bill63SG]

Prime initial cost is large, but it pays off by being highly concentrated?


5+ Aquariums
Reef, Planted, African Chiclids, soon to be: DiscusYou've got it backwards.SAFE is highly concentrated.Sponser on here,Daveid Rose sells it,1kg and 4kg.

[Bif24701]

But prime and SAFE are the preferred? Correct?


5+ Aquariums
Reef, Planted, African Chiclids, soon to be: Discus

[Bill63SG]

I'm not going to make a blanket statement for everyone else,but it seems to be.I used prime,and have been using SAFE for the last +2yrs when I increased my number of tanks.The breeder I bought most of my discus from also used SAFE.

[Bif24701]

Ok, but prime is the same as SAFE just powdered and more concentrated. I bought prime because it's easy for me to get two day free shipping and a great price for a jug.


5+ Aquariums
Reef, Planted, African Chiclids, soon to be: Discus

[strawberryblonde]

Yup yup, Prime is the same as Safe. Prime is the liquid form, Safe is the powdered form. I used a lot of Prime in the beginning, then finally bit the bullet and purchased a huge bottle of Safe. I've been using the Safe for 3 months now and have only used 1/4 of the bottle...WAY cheaper than Prime in the long run.

I did love the ease of using Prime though. One capful per tank cleaning and I was done. It wasn't till I moved up to my current huge tank that it became less cost effective. So use whichever one you like best.

[Bif24701]

Pictures!!!!






5+ Aquariums
Reef, Planted, African Chiclids, soon to be: Discus

[Bif24701]

Bump



5+ Aquariums
Reef, Planted, African Chiclids, soon to be: Discus

[Bif24701]

Video!!

http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa456/Aaron_Wasson/09e5a521.mp4

[Bif24701]

Off topic, here is a video of my 120 mixed reef. Quality isn't great though.

http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa456/Aaron_Wasson/5f595baa.mp4


5+ Aquariums
Reef, Planted, African Chiclids, soon to be: Discus

[walt3]

i have a 200 watt on my 75 gallon and the temp never moves from 85 degrees. i have 2 compact flourescent strips on top as the only covering and its in my cold basement. 300 watts is very strong. more than you need i guess. if it works... :)