Sharkbait's Planted Discus Tank

[Sharkbait]

So here it is. Finally.

It's been a long journey so far - this crazy hobby that I've taken on. I started when I was a kid with a 20 gallon tank. My parents filled it full of cheap fish from a local fish store to keep me happy. I was too young and my father had to do most of the upkeep because I wasn't really ready yet - the tank is now back at my aunt/uncle's place (the people who gave it to me as a gift)

Started keeping fish again when I reached university. I don't know why, really. Perhaps something was 'missing.' I had a 33 gallon tank for a while that I really decked out with plants and really took on the hobby. Things went really well, but not after I lost many battles to an imbalanced ecosystem - algae, I loathe thee.

Finally, this is the tank I've been working with for the past 2 years. I did most of my learning here - getting C02 setup, learning about proper water chemistry. I never really could sit still with an aquascape. I'll post some of the earlier photos, then lead up to what it is today. I find it interesting to see how people grow in their hobby and their talents - it's the most important part to see, I feel.

Very first pictures of the tank:





Those rotala wallichii didn't last long with that lighting. lol.



Later on, I wanted to add sand....and the guy at the store sold me crushed coral. Yeah. That didn't go too well...



That background was a Marina background...that I would not recommend. It got covered in algae and when scraping it off, the background went with it.





When I moved, my landlord accidentally threw that piece of driftwood onto a burn pile. lol. Loved that riccia, but I never got the hang of tying it down properly.



This is when I was starting to prep for discus...goodness knows how long ago. I removed my angels and a few other of the larger fish and started to let the plants take over the tank to make up the negative space.



Glosso got torn out after fish just kept pecking at it. Kribs actually made a cave out of it at one point!



A major overhaul on the tank - To add pool filter sand (again, for discus). Also wanted to create more space for the fish.



Plants started growing, different types came in (probably not a good idea, but I wanted to experiment. I never did successfully grow A.Reinecki)



Smaller fish and plants started taking over the tank. Switched the background to plant to make the plants pop. Added another piece of driftwood.



The last picture before the last big change...

[Sharkbait]

And now...finally...2 years later...the discus tank.

3 Red Turquoise
2 Blue Diamonds
1 Classic Leopard
1 Albino Pearl Pigeon
1 Albino Turquoise (?)

I started picking more discus friendly plants, so it's a lot greener than normal.









These are the youngest of the group - need to put some meat on them bones!












Obviously it was a great decision which strains to put in after waiting so long. I had thought so hard about doing a single strain tank, especially since it's planted. But, I wanted to try a bunch to see which I liked, especially since it's my first go around it. While I never thought pigeons would look good in a planted tank, they really do brighten it up and stand out the most!

When I got them I went 'grocery shopping' for them - mysis shrimp, NLS Thera A pellet...they still aren't eating yet (after all that), but I guess it's not an issue because they're new - what is it, 8 days sometimes before they start eating?

My only possible concern is the darkness of the turqs. I assume it's the black background, and the fact that their colours really haven't come in yet. If there is anything I should worry about, let me know.

Thanks again to all the threads that I have read in the past, and from the advice of everyone. I hope now I can share in your experiences.

Updates to follow - Photos of setup (filtration, C02, and hopefully I can dig up a picture of me as a kid with that 20 gallon)

***Special thanks to April and Forrest for providing such excellent discus***

[Peterchow]

Congrats to your new planted discus tank !!!!!

They look gorgeous !!!!!

[discuspaul]

Great job, sharkbait !

Don't you just love the Osaka ? !! I'm certainly thrilled with mine.

Your recent plantings (for the discus) look superb.
Oh, and April's Forrest fish are fabulous as well, aren't they ?

When are you going to add your discus win to the tank, or have you already done so - you were one of the draw winners, weren't you, or have I got it wrong ?
Saw the winning fish at April's today - outstanding specimens - great size & shape !
Keep up the good work.
Paul

[Sharkbait]

Hi Paul!

The osaka is a very nice tank - although I had issues with it when I first got it. There were air bubbles in the glass, then the brace decided to fall off...3 tanks later this is the one I have, and it still has an air bubble right in the middle of it - thank goodness for warranties. It's got some scratches now from goodness knows where. One day I will want to upgrade, and the tank will go, but I'll keep the gear.

Yeah, the leopard is in there. I can't believe the blue colouration. Amazing.

Cheers!
-Aaron

[discuspaul]

Hi back to you, Aaron,
Yes, love the Osaka, but I also have a couple of little scratches right in the middle of the front glass - from 'goodness knows where' is right - it was still packed in the original box when I got it at the Petcetera sale. (And I didn't put those scratches in, I know that !)
Anyway, now that the Osakas are discontinued, replaced by the Fluval "Profile" series line, these Osakas may well become collectors' items !
April has the 84 gal. as a show tank in the front of her store - I told her today they were discontinued, and I think she too believes they may well be sought after in future.
Good luck with your great looking discus.
Paul

[Fishkeeper]

Beautiful, very nice way to go...

[target]

Very nice looking tank. Beautiful fish, love those leopards. Congrats on winning one.

[Luke78]

Quite the transition from start to finish.Nicely planted and a colourful group of discus.Thanks for sharing !

[Justin.14]

I agree it was quite a nice transition, its nice to see the full process and gain some inspiration rather than seeing all the final photos like usual, Hopefully discus are in my future too! Looks great!