Where do I go next with this tank?

[Maro1]

Hey everyone. I have kept Aquariums most of my life. On and off again.Both Freshwater and Marine. recently I jumped back into freshwater and have set up a Discus tank. Its currently 3 months old. 150 gallon. 5 Discus, 3 Platies, 5 German blue Rams, 5 Angels, 16 Black Neons, 2 Dwarf Gourami, 3 Cory, 2 Tiger Loach, 3 Buenos aerie Tetra, 1 Rainbow Shark. I am removing the Angels soon. I have a few live plants but my focus here is really the health of the discus and what is best for them. My water parameters are 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrite and 0 Nitrates. Water temp 86 Light level low. I am running 2 Fluval FX6's. I hope to add another 5 Discus soon. Where should I go next with the health and aesthetics of this tank?

http://s1092.photobucket.com/user/ma...72040.jpg.html



http://s1092.photobucket.com/user/ma...72050.jpg.html

[modealings]

It looks really cool to me! Even with the gravel haha. What's your wc schedule like and how do you do it? I'm always interested in how ppl do the wc's on the big tanks. Also have you run into any problems with 0 nitrates and the plants? Seems like one of the major balancing acts in a planted discus tank.

[ericNH]

Your tank looks great - you have an eye for aquascaping and proportion imo. You've got a few (artificial?) plants, but not too many. I really like the way it looks , the only thing I might re-consider is the fallen tree limb on the left. I like it, but I'm not used to that kind of driftwood.

To me though, that's not a discus tank, that's a community tank with some discus in it. Once you've added more discus and removed the angels then I'd call it a discus tank. You ask where you should go next with the health and aesthetics of the tank. As far as aesthetics go, I think you would be very happy with some sort of background so you can't see the cords and tubes behind the tank. I'm not suggesting it has to be one of those run-of-the-mill stick-on backgrounds that have a random aquatic photo as a background - you could with something more European-looking, like a stone-looking wall or something. My favorite is rickztahone's background in this tank:

Rick's.jpg

As far as health is concerned , your discus do look nice and healthy to my eyes, I'll leave that for others to chime in on.

Thanks for sharing!

[HappyFace]

Beautiful! I agree with Eric about the background.

[Maro1]

I am currently doing water changes 2x a week 50 gallons each time. From tap water with a python hose. I am looking for a water tank now that will allow me to do 75 gallons - %50 each time aged water. The plants I am dosing Florinmulti with each WC. You may be right. it may be too much of a balancing act for plants. If so they go!

[Maro1]

Eric, that background looks great. Any idea on where that background can be found?. If I can find the right driftwood piece I will make a switch on that. This is Manzanita branch.

Your right on the community tank. I noticed right away the Angels were a bit too aggressive for the Discus. Even the 3 Buenos aerie Tetra's quick movements seem to keep the discus back a bit. So the Angels are going.

[ericNH]

Eric, that background looks great. Any idea on where that background can be found?

Sorry Maro1, I couldn't tell you where rickztahone (Ricardo) got it. But he's a moderator/admin here and sees most of what's posted. I'm pretty sure he'll see this and let you know. Ricardo? Are you out there?

[rickztahone]

Sorry Maro1, I couldn't tell you where rickztahone (Ricardo) got it. But he's a moderator/admin here and sees most of what's posted. I'm pretty sure he'll see this and let you know. Ricardo? Are you out there?

Yup, I'm here

Maro, I got the background from Universal Rocks via Amazon. I searched on Amazon to see if there were any new ones and found this 48"x20" background:
http://www.amazon.com/Universal-Rock...+75+background

That's cheaper than the one I bought for my 75g tank:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o01_s00

Mine was 48x 24", so I am sure that first one is cheaper because of it.

Here's one more shot of the background without water:


Pat recommended this background to me and I do not regret getting it. It is tough/durable and super slim which doesn't cut in to the footprint of the tank at all.

[seankelly]

Those are very nice

[Maro1]

Yup, I'm here

Maro, I got the background from Universal Rocks via Amazon. I searched on Amazon to see if there were any new ones and found this 48"x20" background:
http://www.amazon.com/Universal-Rock...+75+background

That's cheaper than the one I bought for my 75g tank:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o01_s00

Mine was 48x 24", so I am sure that first one is cheaper because of it.

Here's one more shot of the background without water:


Pat recommended this background to me and I do not regret getting it. It is tough/durable and super slim which doesn't cut in to the footprint of the tank at all.

rickztahone (Ricardo) Very cool. Thanks for the info!

Maro1