If you build it, they will come - Jims Discus Journal

[fishy_jim]

Sorry for the delay posting the pics/vid - life got in the way .... Here are some pics and video of my tank. QT was successful and all are well. The 2 new fish have paired off and laid a huge batch of eggs. I guess 2 months in QT together will do that to you .... LOL. With 7 in the DT, everyone seems to have pepped up more and look just happier IMO. First time posting pics/vids on the new platform so lets see how this goes.

[brewmaster15]

Jim, Looks like everyone is happy and healthy! Glad to see it! By the way, That centerpiece driftwood is perfect!

al

[fishy_jim]

Man o man, its been a bit since posting but hey, better late than never! What has happened in the last year besides my ongoing recovery and dealing with my heart failure and lengthy hospital stay and stabilization of my condition I continue with my love of my fish and aquariums. I lost a couple discus, one to the fact it never seemed right from day 1, was stunted, and various defects with the fish. Despite that, it survived 2 years but it gave up the fight. The other I lost always seemed to have something going on with it but it to eventually gave up the fight. Anyways, the 4 remaining are strong and well. I wanted to add more to the group and my LFS has been importing discus and I have been a customer of them for over 20 years so I completely trust them. He got in a load of discus at various sizes and I waited 1 month to even consider picking some up. I went last week and made a purchase of 3 new fish to add to the family. I have now had them 1 week and in quarantine and love them already. They are very healthy and active and I had them eating pellet, flake, and FDBW buy day 2. Zero signs of anything so far health related. The new were imported from a breeder in Vietnam and I am impressed with his fish so far. I must say it was nice to get new fish not looking like they were dragged on the road and beat up from the trip. My LFS did the hard work, I only had to drive them 5 miles to my house. Lol. Anyways, here are some pics of the old and the new. They are all at 5 - 5.5" size now.

[danotaylor]

Sorry to hear about your health challenges mate. Nice looking discus.

I’m an RN in a cardiac ICU. I pitched to our CFO a few years back the idea of having a large aquarium in the unit lounge to chill in front of because of the proven positive effects on heart & mental health. They didn’t go for it but hey, it is scientifically proven. Hopefully the peace & serenity they create do your heart, mind & soul well! Blessings.

[fishy_jim]

Sorry to hear about your health challenges mate. Nice looking discus.

I’m an RN in a cardiac ICU. I pitched to our CFO a few years back the idea of having a large aquarium in the unit lounge to chill in front of because of the proven positive effects on heart & mental health. They didn’t go for it but hey, it is scientifically proven. Hopefully the peace & serenity they create do your heart, mind & soul well! Blessings.

Thank you Daniel !! yeah - to make a very long story short, it got pretty bad, EF was at 5 - 10% when admitted. Definitely not on a good situation. They believe it was all caused by a virus or possibly from COVID, no way to be certain. Ive altered my diet and make sure to take my meds and feel good for the most part and my EF has improved. 100% agree on the benefits of having and aquarium, they do give me peace !

[danotaylor]

Thank you Daniel !! yeah - to make a very long story short, it got pretty bad, EF was at 5 - 10% when admitted. Definitely not on a good situation. They believe it was all caused by a virus or possibly from COVID, no way to be certain. Ive altered my diet and make sure to take my meds and feel good for the most part and my EF has improved. 100% agree on the benefits of having and aquarium, they do give me peace !

We saw a huge spike in non-ischemic cardiomyopathy's in the wake of covid. Crazy times. I am very glad you have made good progress and for the most part are able to do the things you want! Keep the discus. Keep the peace!

[fishy_jim]

It's been 3 months since my last journal update and I have made a few changes since. My first attempt attaching plants to my center piece driftwood failed and most of the plants didn't make it. I believe it was due to a few factors like new tank settling in and not as stable as I would have liked, too much light caused too much algae, just didn't feel I had it all dialed in and consistent parameters from being a new tank and me being a newbie with discus. Jump ahead almost 2 years to now, tank parameters are rock solid stable, solid mature bio going on, overall, super stable and consistent. The plants that did survive I learned were in need of potassium and 2 weeks from starting to dose a reduced dosage I saw immediate improvement in the plants (various Anubis). I also reduced my light intensity to 60% keeping it at 6 hours/day and after 4 weeks or so saw my algae greatly diminish!! Everything seemed to be falling into place nicely with that and that sparked me to want to give adding more plants another go. I then spent weeks researching and gathering ideas on what to do and how to do it all at the same time to remain bare bottom. I added a medium piece of spider wood, 3 rock looking small ceramic succulent pots, and some rock I bought when I got the tank but never used it. The pots had a drain hole on the bottom, and I sealed them off and super glued plastic water bottle caps to the inside of the pots. I filled them with Fluval Stratum, added root tabs, and planted Vals in them. I added a small sand cap just to hold them in place till they rooted. Those suckers have grown almost 1/2" in only 1 week's time. I plan to let them grow to the top and let them cover some of the top. The other side I added the spider wood and covered it in various Anubis and Java. I think it looks great! When doing my maintenance and WC, I blow out debris and poop using a long turkey baster and then suck it all up with my tank vac. The fish really seem to like it and also, they seem calmer and not as grumpy ... They love to all hang out in the Val mini forest at night. Here are some pics, hope you enjoy because I am!! I owe everything I've learned about discus keeping to SD and all you and especially Al !!

[Second Hand Pat]

Hi Jim, sounds like you got everything dialed in. The fish and plants good great. What a learning experience
Pat

[AquaticNerd]

Really appreciate the update Jim; I'm always a fan of following someone's journey. The tank looks fantastic, both the fish and plants look great, and I love the layout!

If you don't mind me asking, do you remember where you got those rock-looking plant pots? I really like them and I think they'd look great on windowsills holding some small succulents. Thanks!

[fishy_jim]

Really appreciate the update Jim; I'm always a fan of following someone's journey. The tank looks fantastic, both the fish and plants look great, and I love the layout!

If you don't mind me asking, do you remember where you got those rock-looking plant pots? I really like them and I think they'd look great on windowsills holding some small succulents. Thanks!

Thanks Jake !! Here is a link to the pots ...
Amazon.com: T4U 5.5 Inch Ceramic Succulent Pot Planter with Drainage Hole Set of 3, Stone Shape Rectangle Window Box Cactus Plant Containers Gift for Mom Sister Aunt Best for Home Office Table Desk Decoration : Patio, Lawn & Garden

[AquaticNerd]

Thanks Jim!

[fishy_jim]

Happy Sunday!!

[danotaylor]

Jim I think your tank has a leak

Seriously though, beautiful set up mate!

[fishy_jim]

Welp ... we are forecasted to get hit with a brutal ice storm starting late tonight and expected to lose power. Have no fear ... the fish will be fine !!! We are ready !°