It's now been about 2 weeks since the setup was filled. Since then I've cycled the tank with some new additions of tetras and cories. I've been patient waiting to piece together the supplies and furnishings, low and behold J&L Aquatics calls to let me know my sand has arrived. Unfortunately, supplier dropped the ball and I only received one bag. Not that big of an issue, just be patient and piece together slowly, the best part of a new setup. Here's some pictures of the tank before placing the sand into the tank. Can notice that the rocks are taken out to clear up space.
Here's the sand. I placed a white napkin to contrast the colour. Luke78 originally had this same colour scheme for his 100 gallon tank. Really liked the muddy brown look. Try something a bit different since my other buddies have white sand.
Once I put the sand into the tank, obviously clouded the water very bad. Along with the tanic water and the cloudiness, gave a good simulated visual effect on what the water may look like in the discus' natural environment as seen in some of those videos. The fish loved this murky water. Not even 6" visibility.
Here's a video:
I've since placed a filter floss and tied it to the intake pipe strainer and the water has cleared up 50% after 5 hours. Thereafter, I decided to do a 25% water change to see how the discus will react. First water change went good, discus were still exploring the tank and looking at the python tube.
This is my first time keeping discus. My experience so far has been to ask local hobbyists for their pH, temperature, feeding regime, water change regime, what they dose, what has worked for them, and any advice. I'm very greatful that the people and friends i've met on BCA have helped me make this tank transition and discus venture so far extremely smooth. So thanks to Joseph, Gary, Tony, Mike, Luke78, April, and a few other fellows locally and on Simply Discus. There's a lot of information and a lot of "Hobby Experts who think what's worked for them IS THE ONLY WAY" information, I just found that whether it's a guppy or a discus, you really need to absorb the information and use what caters and works best for your tank. I'm even borrowing some books to get original and basic information from the late '90's and not rely on current "Hobby Expert" information that has saturated the forums on the web.
Upcoming plans:
-load up on fish food (colour bits and whatever bits, only the best for my fish)
-tend my colony of red wrigglers feeding them carrots and red beets in the summertime
-upgrade the powerhead
-ordered Dan's freeze dried blackworms as treats
-waiting for my manzanita wood to arrive
-working towards another pack of TBA to build up the school
-continue reading my discus books I've borrowed from the Burnaby Public Library(BPL) (**If you need to borrow discus books, go with the copies from the BPL and not the VPL)