Our New Discus Tank - III

by George J. Reclos

A picture taken from the side shows the aquascape behind the "frontline" and three of the Discus at the corner.

This is a photo of the tank 24 hours later. The water is now completely clear, the discus are happily enjoying their new environment and the plants have settled better. As Francesco told me, "There were no stones in the Amazon. In fact, it was a common joke between the members of our group that the first person to find a stone would win w gold prize". This is definitely so, however stones are cheaper than bogwood and you have to use them (even sparingly) to secure some plants in place. Furthermore, the tank uses peat filtration and additional Black Water extract so the effect of the stones on the water parameters should be negligible. However, Francesco's opinion is now in my mind. Perhaps when the plants grow larger roots we will remove many of those stones.

The Microsorium pteropus "Windelov" in place (attached on the bogwood with fishing line). Just in front of it there is a stone on which Ricia fluitans is being attached.

A nice combination of bogwood and plants. When the Cryptocorines grow this will become the center of interest. The Nymphaea lotus in the frontline will be regularly pruned to be kept short and "bushy".

Technical information

Size : 280 liters / 240 liters water volume. Dimensions: 121 x 41 x 55 cm. Lighting: 1x38 W daylight cool type, 1x38 W daylight warm type, 1x20 W full spectrum, 1x20 W fluora type (0,5 W / Lt). Plants: Microsorium pteropus "Windelov", Ricia fluitans, Hygrophila corymbosa, Nymphaea lotus, Cryptocorine sp., Bolbitis heudeloti and Anubia nana. Fishes: Six discus (about 12 Corydoras will be added later). Liquid fertilizer: yes. Peat filtration: yes. Discus essential salts : yes. Water changes: 10% daily - except weekends. Filtration: 1x1200 Lt/h internal filter, 1x1000 Lt/h internal filter, 1x600 Lt/h external canister filter (peat filtration and biological filtration). Aeration: no.

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