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Very nice Robyn,

That's a double or triple red, right?

The tank looks ok, but somehow, with it being less planted (until it regrows), I find the red rocks too red and too much visible. And it seems like they need a hair cut as well .

In the last shot there were 4 Riccia tops, now there are 3 larger ones. What happened to #4?

Glad the Excel worked, now keep an eye open for re-occurence.

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

That's a double or triple red, right?

Sold as a double, but there is some red on dorsal, tail & anal fin. Not that much on the anal - but it is there. Not quite as pretty a pattern of red as my previous, but this one's dorsal fins are more spikey so are impressive that way (doesn't show in my pic). First time I've had a male display to his girl too (it's always the other way around) but he definitely flairs, plus shimmies at her too. I don't expect eggs or fry to survive in this tank.

I agree with all your criticisims and it's the same old story that I don't feel like doing all that much to this tank as it's will be pulled down shortly. My new tank is probably ready for delivery now (I've been away a few days). Before I set it up, I've got to get a tradesman out to reinforce my cupboards - so that will be another delay.

All ricca rocks are still there - maybe too low or towards the back - but they're there.

I soon have to plan planting of the new tank - but will be limited by my large wood /fern - takes up a lot of space. Thinking about which red plant (finally a red plant) I will grow. I have no idea how to run C02 off a cannister, so later I will be asking for advice. I have one of those glass tulip things to use for C02 in the new tank - another mystery.

So with all these thoughts, I haven't been too excited about redesigning this tank.

Cheers
TW

Makes sense Robyn. A red plant, as in a tall stem red plant? I do like my Alterhanthera reineckii quite a bit. I have a shot of my street from today, but given that I don't update my weekly event until tomorrow I can show it here as well.

And we will worry about the CO2 whenever you are ready for it, but what is that tulip thing you speak of? A glass diffuser?

Ingo

Attached Image:

Alterhanthera reineckii

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Robyn,

I think the tank looks good. I'm still amazed at how full the Blyxa is growing with only 1.6 wpg. I forget, how deep is your tank? I assume there is a pretty good root system on them. I could never get a good root system going on mine. I'm thinking it might be the light penetration of the 6700k cf bulbs.



My Scapes

Alterhanthera reineckii

Very nice plant. I will see if I can find it. Probably more chance on line, than in store. Fingers crossed.

what is that tulip thing you speak of? A glass diffuser

Yes, the glass diffuser. I got this one on ebay as part of a spare C02 system purchase I made. I never set up the spare system (using gas bottle as one of 3 that I rotate on this tank) so the glass diffuser is waiting for the new tank. I have no clue how to run C02 through it or the cannister. I'll get serious & ask for help later though - no point now when I'm not ready to do it - dopey me will just forget

Hi tetratech - thanks for popping in.

I'm still amazed at how full the Blyxa is growing with only 1.6 wpg.

Me too. Makes me wonder if I'm doing the right thing with the new tank plants (high light & eco complete). It might bring me red crinkled blyxa that floats & won't stay rooted as well as cory with damaged barbels. I put the success of the blyxa and the ricca down to C02, but I have ricca in my low tech tank (low light, no C02) and my ricca is thriving there too.


Cheers
TW

I didn't think I'd post again in this tank, before closing it down. But, as I bought a new discus, I thought I just might as well. He is meant to a Marlborough Red, but he is much more yellow than others I googled on the net. Maybe this means he is a poor specimen - but I think he's pretty anyway. I've ordered 2 friends for him. This tank will shut down shortly & all will move into a 89G (339 L). For this reason, I haven't bothered too much about the actual scape at moment.



Cheers
TW

Robyn I'm very jealous. I've always put the scape before the fish, but I do have a soft spot for Discus. Maybe one day. That is a beautiful fish and I'm sure she/he will do well in the 89G.

My Scapes

I am looking in my Christal Ball and I see "many many water changes for Robyn"

Looking nice Robyn, maybe he/she will color up soon. About adding two buddies: could this cause conflicts if two of them pair up?

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

I am looking in my Christal Ball and I see "many many water changes for Robyn

Yes I do see that in Robyn's future as well as other things including temp, filtration and algae control.

My Scapes

Thanks for the replies Ingo & Jeff

About adding two buddies: could this cause conflicts if two of them pair up?

I visit another forum specifically dedicated to Discus. It has a small sub forum on apistos, which is what drew me to their site. Now I have a discus, I've popped into the main discus forum for advice. They tell me I need a minimum of 3 discus (schooling fish). 2 might cause aggression, but 3 should be ok (I hope). I will have to watch what happens with a pairing though.

maybe he/she will color up soon

You know my bad photo's Ingo. He/she is actually very pretty as is. A beautiful brilliant yellow colour (think of the SW fish - the Yellow Tang), with sort of a dusting of red over the yellow body. More red towards the body outline. Fins are red with black. Those on the the discus forum told me he looks young & should get more red as he matures. But I hope not - I like him better this way.

Yes I do see that in Robyn's future as well as other things including temp, filtration and algae control.

Well, I'll have to see how the water changes go. Some on the discus forum do small changes twice a week, but a lot also just do the weekly change. For the moment, I'll stick with the weekly, & see how it goes. I'm aware I might have to up it. The new filter will be a eheim Pro II 2028, so I hope that will be enough. There will be a 25W UV filter - so I hope that helps with algae & disease.

Tetratech - why do you particulary see algae issues. Is there something about discus & increased algae???

As far as temp goes, below is my stock list & temps as per profiles here on FP:-

Discus 28-31C
Boesmani Rainbow 27-30C
Platy 18-25C
Harlequin Rasbora 22-25C
Sterbai Cory 21-26C
Apistogramma 23C-29C (varies depending on which apisto you're looking at)

I guess the ones to worry about are the sterbai, platy & rasboras. I will have to watch them. I have set the temp to 28C for the moment.

BTW, Jeff. I received my petrified wood yesterday. A bit disappointed with the amount. I was the winning bidder on 6 sep auctions, but only received 5 rocks. I've sent a query asking why. Maybe, he went by the total weight of my winning bid. I'll take a pic of them later to see what you think.

Thanks again for popping in.

Cheers
TW

Tetratech - why do you particulary see algae issues. Is there something about discus & increased algae???

All I mean is that Discus are meaty fish as are other cichlids and they have more waste than smaller tetras, so naturally there is more potential algae problems if filtration and lights aren't in check.

Looking forward to seeing your petrified wood. BTW Don't let us two Geezers (LF and Me) scare you with the Discus. It's all good and I'm sure you will do fine with them. I would really like to have some myself. There is a store not to far from me (Aqua Hut) that sells a wide variety of Discus at unbelivably low prices. As I said maybe one day.

My Scapes

Don't let us two Geezers (LF and Me) scare you with the Discus.

So true, I am just jealous

No really, there are a few more challenges involved when having discus, as mentioned above, but I have no doubt that you will be able to handle it.

About the water conditions/changes: As you have a tendency to attempt breeding (see your Apistos), water conditions should be super.

One thing we have not talked about is the stress on plants in heigher temperatures. I know one guy who was able to grow all kinds of stuff, loads of lights on his tank, the reddest and fullest macandras (for example) the world has ever seen. All went downhill with the discuss, the temp was just to high for the plants to thrive. I don't know too many details, but it may be worthwhile researching which plants do well in 82F ++ (which is about 28C, right? ).

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Robyn , Thats a very beautifull looking fish , and I think you are right to keep them in odd numbers . Tends to spread any aggression out.
Are you getting 1 Male and 2 females ? Any thoughts of trying to breed them ?

Hope the new tank goes well for you as well .
Garry

Ooohhhh, a discus in a planted tank I'm going to be watching this thread closely now to see how it works out with you. My plans are that after I get back from my summer vacation (1 month tour down the eastcoast of the USA) I'll tear my big tank apart and rebuild it into a planted Discus tank I've wanted to keep Discus all my aquarium life and always have been a bit afraid of them but since my wife has laid her eyes on a couple she's been urging me to get them.

As for the temperature, my plants have been growing fine at 28 degrees Celsius, going much higher than that slowly becomes problematic and growth slows down a bit and you'll have a good time to keep algae away. In any case, I really want you to succeed with this

Robyn:

Congrats on the discus! Don't worry too much about water changes and the alleged sensitivity of these fish. If you stick to your good maintenance schedule they will be fine. I was scared when I got my first discus and was constantly hovering over the tank with test kits and buckets to perform water changes. I perform now weekly water changes as I did before and the discus are doing extremely well. In fact, I find them less sensitive than my Cories

The biggest 'problem' might arise from feeding but this is also entirely dependent on the type of food you provide. I feed some pellets that the fish were raised on by the breeder and a variety of frozen foods (a special discus formula, blood worms, glass worms, brine shrimp). If you do not rinse the thawed food you will get some gunk in your tank, so keep that in mind. Occassionally I feed beef heart and THAT is an unbelievable mess which impacts water quality.

you are going to shut down this tank entirely? You are not suffering from MTS?

I am looking forward to read about your new tank.

I agree about the sensitivity of discus. We have quite a few in the store that live comfortably in hard water and weekly water changes. Wild caught discus might be a separate story though, but no worrie there for you. With the large plant mass, I'm sure you'll still have to add nitrates. Lovely fish BTW.

The tank looks great, I can't wait to see the new setup.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Wow, lots of visitors. Thanks y'all for popping in

So true, I am just jealous

Ah, but I know you're not. Was almost too scared to show you, as I know "Big Fish" aren't your thing Whilst I'd love discus fry LF, this is the community tank & never one baby has survied that tank. If it happened, good - but I doubt it. Not planning any special action to encourage breeding.

I hope the temp for my plants (at least my current plants) should be fine. Our summer heat sends my tanks up to 30C. With the aid of small fans, I can get it down to 28C. This tank is on the warmest side of the house, so it always creeps the highest. Of course in the new tank, I want to try a red plant, so I'll be disappointed if it won't grow in a discus tank.

Dr. Bonke, you're getting discus too. For some reason, I thought you had them already.

growing fine at 28 degrees Celsius, going much higher than that slowly becomes problematic and growth slows down a bit and you'll have a good time to keep algae away

Are you able to pls give me a bit of extra info on what you mean re "problematic" and "good time to keep algae away". The more tips I can get on the get go, the better.

Hi catdancer - welcome to my log. I'd been reading up on this beefheart stuff, found recipes & was about to rush out & buy the meat mincer. But you only sometimes feed beefheart & your discus are happy? If it's so messy & they're fine without it, I'd rather keep things simple. Do you think they need it? I feed a mixture of spectrum, fresh & frozen brineshrimp & frozen bloodworms. I'm always supper fussy about rinsing the frozen food.

you are going to shut down this tank entirely? You are not suffering from MTS?

Not sure that's true I have a total of 3 tanks (if you don't count 2 betta tanks & hubby's marine). If it was up to me, this tank would not shut down, but hubby only lets me go so far. The trade off to get 2 larger tanks was a firm promise to shut down 2 current tanks. The other tank I planning is 4ft African.

After being told on a discus forum I need a min of 3 discus, 2 new ones are acclimatising now. The old boy is up saying hello to his new mates in the bag. Hope they'll be mates (as in buddies).

Thanks for comments Matty. Glad to hear your LFS finds them not too sensitive. I can't wait for the new setup either - having trouble finding someone to fix my cupboard first. Now that you've brought up the subject of adding nitrates .....

Does anyone think I need to alter my fert schedule, with 3 discus in there. I currently dose:-

1/2tspn KN03 & 1/16 tspn KH2P04 & 1/16 tspn K2S04 - 3 times a week
10ml flourish & 4ml Flourish iron - 3 times a week

Tetratech, I'll post pics of the petrified wood later.

That's it for now.

Cheers
TW

The new guys have been in the tank a couple of hours now. I briefly turned the lights on to get pics. They have coloured up 100% from when I first saw them - this one in particular. Much redder than the original fish. This one is out & about, but the other one is hiding in the back, so I hope he'll be okay. No pics of the hiding one yet.



This shot show the original, who is much less red. I though he was pretty until I saw this one. There is a bit of chasing by the original one against this one - but not constant so I hope it sorts out. More concerned about the one who is hiding.


Below are the pieces of petrified wood I bought on ebay for the new setup.


That's it for now.

Cheers
TW

I will say more later, but for now I only have time for a quick entry (phone conference coming up):

the last piece of wood looks like a bone that a dog had chewed up

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Hi,
Those sure look like tiny pieces of wood TW. They must
be selling the chips by the pound.

Beautiful fish TW and great looking tank!
Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Hi Robyn,

I don't think you'll have to worry too much, but I can explain a bit more about the trouble I meant. Last year I installed a couple of extra T5 lamps in my tank (2x 55w) and didn't really give it much extra thought. The first day my plants were pearling like never before and I was thought I had a winner, but then within a few days that stopped and growth seemed to halt. At that point also quite a few different kinds of algae started growing rather excessively. I watched that for about a week or so, to see whether there would be improvement and then during the water change I thought the awater was kinda warm. I then checked the thermometer and it turned out to be nearly 33 degrees Celsius. That was clearly too high (I was surprised that none of my fish had died). Since then I've installed some ventilators to get the heat out of the hood, and that keeps the temperature at about 27-28. With proper care - meaning weekly water changes and fertilization - the plants grow really well (right now my big tank is a bit of a mess since I am leaving for a month vacation and have switched off CO2 and stopped fertizing).

You should be just fine

Hi catdancer - welcome to my log. I'd been reading up on this beefheart stuff, found recipes & was about to rush out & buy the meat mincer. But you only sometimes feed beefheart & your discus are happy? If it's so messy & they're fine without it, I'd rather keep things simple. Do you think they need it?

My pleasure, you will see me more often and I hope that you will visit my log (to be posted soon) as well. My discus are extremely happy judged by their behaviour. Not shy at all, quite the opposite and always attacking food! I think the beef heart recipes and the legend that discus need this food in order to thrive originates from the earlier ages of discus keeping when commercial foods were not such high quality and frozen, fortefied foods not readily available. Look at it this way: what are the chances that a discus in the wild will dine on a cow? This type of food satisfied the need for high protein and very little fat. All my frozen foods are fortefied (Hikari) with vitamins to ensure all nutritional requirements are met. A lot of breeders in my club feed most of the time pellets and occassionally frozen food. Some never ever beef heart because it is so messy. BTW - my discus don't even like it. What I always pay attention to is that my fish get some veggie components with their diet - also frozen. So, if you are into preparing your own food, well, go for it, but you really don't have to IMHO.

The new guy looks beautiful. How big is this discus already? I would not worry about the one hiding - it might take this one a bit to adjust to the new environment, probably they were raised in bare bottom tanks only with lots of other discus. It was very apparent that mine had no clue about plants, pretty funny to watch them doing their first excursions of the tank!

glad to hear that you are also MTS ... I always enjoy hearing that others suffer the same affliction!

And no, the rock does not look like a chewed on bone more like an attempt at wood working! *rofl

Hi Ingo - - yeah I can see it, but a riccia cap should take care of that.

Hi Frank - Thanks for tank & fish compliment They're smaller than I thought & yes, they were being sold by the pound. This pic gives a better guage of size - it's taken dry, whereas the pics yesterday were taken with the wood wet. Not sure how if or how I'll use them. Hoping to get Jeff's opinion, as he is the petrified wood expert. (Jeff, if you do pop in, pls scroll backwards where there are individual shots of the wood)


Hi Dr Bonke. Thanks for the info. My new tank won't have a hood, so hopefully I won't get the same problem when I up my lighting to compact PC's. I never did find any light fittings here in Aus that have those fans I hear some of you talk about. I'm tempted to not use the glass lids on the new tank at all.

Hi catdancer. Let us know when your log is up (in case I miss it). I think I will give the beef heart recipe a miss for the time being. Glad we spoke. I use hikari vitamin enriched frozen foods too. I haven't seen the veggie one - what is it called? They were all soled as 8cm, but I think the first guy is smaller & the new ones are larger - but none larger than 8cm.

Today, they are hanging around together like the 3 amigos, & I hope it stays that way. They have settled in a lot better than the 1st one did on his own. They all came out to eat straight away - no hiding. Now, prepare to be bored as I have taken a few shots. catdancer, as a discus owner, I'm wondering if you can tell the sex by any of the pics. I don't really care, but I'm just curious, is all.


That's it for now

Cheers
TW

I believe you will be just fine with your round fish. The discus at my local store get water changes about once a week dependent on my work schedule. Our water is liquid rock with a pH of about 8. The discus are fine with this. I know some people that have spawning discus is similar water.

As for food. See if you can get your hands on live black worms. Your discus will go nuts for them!



55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Just a guess but I think the light one and the dark one are Males. They seem to have longer fins. They are still young though so it will be hard to tell. I am sure someone out there can help you out though.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Hi Wingsdlc

Thanks for the visit & the thoughts on sexing them. How old do you think they are?

My C02 takes care of the pH & my water is soft - but I do wonder about the spike in pH I get if my C02 runs out just after I leave for work. When that happens, in the course of the day it can rise from 6.5 to nearly 7.5pH.

Thanks for the live black worm tip. Yes, I can get my hands on them - but I thought they were the ones that can bring in parasites. Or am I thinking of something else?

Cheers
TW

but I thought they were the ones that can bring in parasites

You know I am not so sure about that. I guess they could... I have never seen any issues from the ones at work but who knows.

How old do you think they are?

Not really the guy to ask.

PM Bob Wesolowski

He is good with discus.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Hi Robyn:

Great pictures of your discus and what a nice tank! I am looking forward to follow your new set up. As for my log - as soon as I have this paper out.

Food: I am experimenting with veggie food as I have not found one yet that contains a good mix! One that is available in frozen form is "Cichlid delight" from San Francisco Brand and it contains Spirulina, Turkey heart (here we go ...) and some othe ingredients. I am cutting the cubes into tiny pieces as the meat sticks together making the lumps too big for the fish. Another one I have now (recommended by my LFS) is by Formula Two and it is strictly veggie - I mix it with Bloodworms.

As for sexing discus, I am not aware that it is actually possible to do so when not spawning as the genital papillae is not visible. Fins are IMHO no indicator as they vary greatly from strain to strain - there are plenty of high fin varieties out there. My fish don't get live food - too much to worry about re parasites and other 'silent travelers' that might get introduced into the tank, but that is me!

Hi,
The cautions about plants and increased temperatures are
valid. Arizona Gardens has a "Package" of plants that they
recommend for specifically for Discus tanks.
Here is the link:
http://www.azgardens.com/habitats_discus.php

I'd write down the names, and quantities of the various
plants and either purchase a package of them for your
tank, or look for them through other sources. The thing
is, this lists the plants and quantities for your size
tank, and for the temperatures that you will be running.
It could help save you some headaches later on.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

I have not really noticed any harm done to my plants with high temps. We do not run AC in our house and it has gotten up to around 90 inside. I know its warmer than the tank should really get but nothing has gone into melt down.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Robyn , Glad to here that all is well with these beautifull fellas . They look magnificent . I'm sure they will bring you hours of enjoyment .

I look forward to learning more about Discus from your log . Always been afraid to have a go at them due to their delicate reputation .

Are you planning any tank mates in the new tank .?

Garry

Robyn,

Wow, what can I say those Discus are beautiful. I'm seeing some in my future

Actually the rocks look pretty good and interesting. You have to kinda play with them and stick him into the substrate. That one that Ingo described as a chewed-up dog bone, could actually look very interesting in the foreground possibily buried under substrate at the low point. But as I said you have to kinda move them around and see what appeals to you and works with your setup.

My Scapes

The only problem I see is that all the attention will be taken from your hard work with the plants and be on the discus instead.

What, this is the planted forum right.... Really beautiful discus Robyn. Good luck with them.

I agree with the blackworm idea the ones in our store love them. I've never heard much about parasites with them either. Just be careful with the feedings....I know how slow discus are to realize there's food in front of their face and blackworms can drown.

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Hi Wings, It must only be in Aus that blackworms have this reputation - though catdancer also says no live food for her tanks due to "parasites & silent travellers". I haven't pm'd Bob Wesolowski about the age, but I will. Thanks for the tip.

Hi Catdancer - thanks for heads-up on food. I haven't seen all the frozen foods you mention, though we get hikari. So far, they have pretty much ignored all food except frozen bloodworms. I hope to get them eating Spectrum soon - but no luck so far.

Hi Frank - thanks for the link. I'll keep just in case. Fairly confident I'll be ok though. Like Wings, in summer my tanks sit naturally at 28/ 29C & all plants grow like mad & no algae issues. This may change with the higher lights I plan. A group of plant nerds on a discus forum agreed no issues if temp kept as above. Still, it's good to be forewarned & have a list of plants, just in case. I'm determined to have at least 1 red plant - as that's the whole reason for this tanks impending demise (so I can fit stronger lights - not possible in this lousy tank). Not as many choices here for red plants as you have in US. More on my choices later, when I'm ready to purchase.

Garry - thanks for visit & fish complements. What I've been hearing is these guys aren't as sensitive as we've been led to believe. Hope so anyway. Hope I manage to give them a long & happy life. Tankmates - well, the apistos will move into a divided breeding tank. I love my 2 B.Rainbows, but think they're too boisterous for discus, so may have to go. They're such great mates & I love them too, so torn what to do. Hate to think of them in either a bare LFS tank or in anyone else's unsuitable tank. Might ask LFS if they'd be prepared to put them in their planted display tank - not sure of my chances. The harley rasboras have always been a fav of mine. They seem to be doing well here - but temp is too high according to their profile. Given that my tank reaches high temps in summer anyway, it may not be such a problem. Undecided what I should do with them. I've been told cardinals are good with discus. The otos will tfr over & I think I have room for 3 more discus, using calculations discus forum gave me for stocking (1 adult discus per 45litres). Maybe I might up the cory sterbai's or go with the false juli, like Ingo. There's a lone platy in current tank, so I he'll transfer across too. That's it for fish. Pretty much know what I like now.

Hi tetratech - thanks for discus compliment. Glad you like the rocks too. Glad dog/bone rocks passed muster. What about rock in 1st pic - that's my fav. Wonder if I should ask the guy to pick out some similar to dog/bone & 1st pic - but slightly bigger ?? Not sure how many I'll need for new setup. I'm stuck using the windelov wood & that takes up a large piece of real estate (too much).

What, this is the planted forum right

Hi matty - yeah I know. I'll be back on track with plants (& fish) once I start new setup. Yes - discus are slow to realise food is there (one of the reasons the b.rainbows might have to go). Doesn't matter how many different spots I drop in the food so the discus get some, those rainbows are everywhere & get there first. They must have food radar

Anyway - that's enough for now.

Cheers
TW

Ingo

It's not quite the same name as yours, nor quite as pretty. Yours is called "Alterhanthera reineckii". Is this the same plant, or another related plant? http://www.aquaticdreams.com.au/product.asp?ProductID=507 Plant is referred to as "Telanthera" in the main heading, but in the descriptive text it's referred to as a Alternathera species, which is close to your spelling.

Edit: Ok - think I got it now. Seems it's also known as Red Temple. http://www.aquariumsuppliesaustralia.com.au/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=861

Attached Image:


Cheers
TW

Robyn , Sounds like you've got your tankmates figured out pretty well . I tend to agree with you on the Rainbows .
The Harleys are great aren't they gotta love them .

I've become very partial to a lot of other Tetra types of recent times. Rummynoses in particular are a lot of fun as well as Columbians and Bleeding Hearts .
I know some people think that some of the bigger Tetras are a little nippy but I haven't found that .

Anyway just a couple of thoughts . Can't wait to see the new tank take shape .

Enjoy
Garry

some of the bigger Tetras are a little nippy but I haven't found that

Sorry a head of time about the little side track...

Speaking of nippy tetras... Yesterday at work I was cleaning tanks and got bit about 110 times by the blind cave tetras. Crazy little nippy fish! Good thing they are just little fish unlike the piranhas.

discus are slow to realise food is there

They might be a little slower than some other fish but our little discus at work are pigs!

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Still not planning to change my water changing routine, unless I hit problems with the discus. But... just so I know what to do in case I have to. Would I need to make changes to the EI fert routine when doing 2 x 25% (or 2 x 50%) changes instead of 1 x 50%? Or, would I still keep to the same schedule & just ignore the increased frequency of water changes?

Appreciate your thoughts.

Cheers
TW

Still not planning to change my water changing routine, unless I hit problems with the discus. But... just so I know what to do in case I have to. Would I need to make changes to the EI fert routine when doing 2 x 25% (or 2 x 50%) changes instead of 1 x 50%? Or, would I still keep to the same schedule & just ignore the increased frequency of water changes?

If you do end up doing the 2 x 25% or 2 x 50% that will probably mess with your EI a bit.

I would guess you could end up doing something like this:


60 – 80 Gallon Aquariums
Day one:
50% water change
+/- 3/4 tsp KN03
+/- 3/16 tsp KH2P04

Day two:
+/- ¼ tsp (15ml) Trace

Day three:
day off

Day four:
50% water change
+/- 3/4 tsp KN03
+/- 3/16 tsp KH2P04

Day five:
+/- ¼ tsp (15ml) Trace

Day six:
+/- 3/4 tsp KN03
+/- 3/16 tsp KH2P04

Day seven:
day off

Start over....
Just my guess. I am sure others will have better ideas..

When dosing also remember that you are going to have some fish with much higher waste than tetras or other small fish.

Also watch your Discus for stress after dosing ferts. They may not be used to the chemicals and it could stress them out. I have ran into that with the discus at work.



55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Robyn:

How is it going with your discus? Did they start eating other types of food than bloodworms?

Thanks Wings, I'll keep that info just in case I need it.

Any other thoughts would still be appreciated.

Hi catdancer - not really. Won't eat the spectrum. One of them joined in on mystis shrimp (???spelling) but passed it up tonight. I still think it's the B.Rainbows. I'm going to have to try to catch them on the weekend - but that will probably stress the discus as well, given that I usually have to pull the tank apart to catch a fish.

Cheers
TW

Seems to be a more general problem and related to what the fish were fed by the breeder. My discus come from different sources and I had also considerable problems to wean them of bloodworms, which is still a delicacy for them. Brine shrimp was the next food of choice - and Tetra Color Bits. This granule type food is the staple in the diet of all the breeders in my club, but even the discus that I got from Europe took it immediately.

good luck

Have decided to gradually over the next little while to gradually increase the discus to 6, which I think will be fully stocked for the new tank (if they were adults). As juveniles, they are fine in this tank.

Here is discus no. 4 for the tank, still in the plastic bag. I think is probably isn't the best looking specimen, because the rim around his eye isn't fully red. But best for me to start off with the less expensive fellows anyway. He is called a Fire Ruby, according to LFS.

I also removed the B.Rainbow & hope it will help the others feel more confident to eat.

I'm beginning to be tempted to change my plans for a 4ft African tank into another hi-tech planted, but with discus. Love these fish

Cheers
TW

Nice new Discus. I like the color pattern that it has.

It really looks like someone has the round fish bug!

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Hi Wings, yes I have it bad After reading everything I could find on-line & in hard books, I think I'm best to get them all around the same size & not let leave too long a gap in between additions - so the latecomers aren't picked on, due to being "Johnnie come lately's". I can't wait to see him once the lights are turned on - but that won't be until tomorrow.He was quite cheap too (might be because of his eye not having the solid red coloured ring). That's okay by me, though. So far, all seems friendly in there.

Also picked up a pair of Apistogramma Hongsloi Form II for another tank.

Cheers
TW

http://www.amtra.de/images/apistogrammatorf0903_550.jpg
If yours looks like this then that is a sweet fish!

Adding fish about the same size is a good rule to play by.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Hi Wings - yes that's him. Was a day to late to get a pair of Apistogramma sp.Viejita Form II. Is that the same as LF's? LFS imported a batch of german bred & some wild apistos & advertised them on a local fish forum here. Apistos only released from quarantine on Wednesday & each fish was still in it's individual jar from the breeder (so at least I know no chance of mixing up the pairs by LFS). By the time I got to the shop on Friday afternoon, I got the 2nd last pair of the imports. Only thing left now is a pair of apisto elizabethae "Super red". These fish just flew (swam) out the door.

Oops, forgot to mention I also got a Penang Eruption Discus too.

Thanks for the link to the fish Wings.

Cheers
TW

My old hongsloi:




Sure miss that guy. I missed an infected wound on him when I purchased him, it just got worse until he died. Cool fish though, good luck with 'im.

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Wow Robyn , you have got the Discus thing bad . Seriously , lovely looking fish and cheap is good as long as you like the look . Good move to remove the rainbows I think .
Look forward to some Photos of the new one .

Enjoy
Garry

Matty, that is a nice looking fish, sorry to hear he didn't last to long for you. Thanks for popping in Countryfish . Anyway, here are the latest pics of new residents. Unfortunately the most colourful red melon (one of the originals) seem to be the bully of the bunch & is picking on the new comers.

The Penang Eruption leads the Fire Ruby on a Tank Tour. Fire Ruby looks cranky to be at the end of the line.

Penang Eruption on a lone circuit


Cheers
TW

Again, very beautiful fish and Fire Ruby does look cranky in the picture! What is a Penang eruption? I have not heard of this strain before, it certainly looks intersting, a bit like a snakeskin.

And there is always a bully, maybe I should send my Blue Diamond to meet with your Red Melon so he/she can get a taste of the same medicine! You have 5 discus now, correct? Is this the number you want to have or are you planning to add some more?

hi Catdancer, thanks for popping in

What is a Penang eruption?

Can only guess that it is the name a breeder has given to his creation of a new strain.

have not heard of this strain before

Well, I haven't heard of any of the strains before now Yes I have 5 now. I intend to have 6 by the time I'm done. I might trade in one of the red melons, for a different strain - just to add to the variety in the tank.

Cheers
TW

Robyn, Again thats a very nice fish . Hope they are all getting on well . Hows the new tank coming on ? Any news ?

Garry

Robyn;

a suggstion re veggie food for discus I got from a knowledgeable sales person: Hikari brine shrimp with spirulina! the shrimp were fed spirulina so the veggies come as a nice 'wrap' inside the shrimp. Plus the food is fortified with additional vitamins

I had always wondered what that food was all about. I thought it was a mix of the two foods. I guess not. Funny thing is I have been doing much the same with feeder shrimp for fish that need them at work.

I know there are also veggie pellets you might be able to get them to eat.

Right now are they still on Blood Worms alone?

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

wow really pretty fish TW they look great, look forward to your new log!

Thanks y'all for popping in

Hi catdancer, I have bought (but not yet opened) the Hikari Spirulina brine shrimp. Wings, no longer just the brine shrimp. I decided to make up a batch of discus hamburger & followed a recipe on the discus forum I visit. Here's the ingredients, in case you're interested:-

1kg beefheart, thoroughly trimmed of any fat and sinew
1/2 kg prawns, the bright orangey red ones
1/2 kg green prawns, shelled and de veined
1/2 kg of any white ocean fish fillets (don't use fresh water fish)
1/2 kg Salmon (yes I know, but your fish are worth it)
1/2 cup frozen green peas
1/2 cup cooked carrot
1 heaped teaspoon of Spirulina powder for every 2kg of mixture
1/4 cup of minced garlic
Gelatin dissolved in boiling water, to bind it all together

Instructions said to run each ingredient through a mincer twice, but I found a food processor did a really good job. It then goes into a big bowl, where it's mixed by hand (wearing gloves, or you'll have green hands) for about 10 minutes. I put 3 teaspoonful of mixture into each zip lock bag, flatten them by hand, and lay on a tray to freeze flat. Because it's frozen in thin layers, you can snap off the amount you want to use. It made soooo much, I don't think I'll have to buy or make them more food for 12 months. One by one, they are all eating it. By that I mean, on 1st offering only one fish tried it & by now (3 days later) all but 1 fish is loving it. I am worried about the one not eating it, so I will offer blood worm tonight to see if he is just not eating as it's a strange food to him, or because he might be sick.

Hows the new tank coming on ? Any news ?

Well, I popped along to Bunnings hardware today, to look into the DIY options. I think I have a plan now for how to do it myself, but I need to enlist hubby's help & I don't know how long it will take to sell him on the idea of being my tradesman. Here's what I have to convince him to do:-

cut hole in the false bottom of the cupboard in 4 places (one in each corner of cupboard)

one of these will go into each hole, standing vertically as shown (although not leaning over)


The bolt screws either up or down, so that the height can be adjusted (sort of a makeshift jack). Running horizontally on the cupboard ceiling will be a steel bar, which will rest on top of the screw shown in picture. The vertical screw will be tightened, so that the horizontal bar will held securely in place.

I think that will take care of the strengthening issues.

Next, I have to get him to cut out a section of the back wall of cupboard to allow filter hoses to make their way to the tank.

Next, I have to get him to cut a section out of the shelf, to allow the filter to fit in the cupboard.

So, that's my latest plan to move things along. Anyone see any problems?

Hi fandan, thanks for the fish compliment

Cheers
TW

Here are some fresh pictures.

The 1st shows the windelov in a rear tilted position, forming the cave behind the discus


Wasn't really happy with the above look, so it's now back in it's lower & flatter position. Notice - no cave now. I'd like to trim the windelov, but how does that work out? IMO the nicest part of the plant are the twisty bits at the end of each leaf. Any advice on how to trim & how it turns out would be appreciated. Everything is very overgrown & overcrowed as they wait patiently for the long awaited day of rehousing to larger quarters.


Last 2 shots for today. The blue discus is the same one as in the top shot. Depending upon the light, the angle & perhaps even his mood, his colour can change dramatically. Note the markings - it is the same fish. The colour change is true with the fish behind him. To the right is a shot of the same fish. Also, notice Mr & Mrs Cac checking each other out on the left.



Cheers
TW

Robyn,

Looking very nice and green

About trimming the Windelov: It is just another form of fern, so trimming is done in the same fashion than common java fern. Now, there are multiple options of course:

- Simply cut off extending rhizomes to make the group smaller in surface size.
- Always good is to remove the various babies as they fill the group and make it very dense.
- Lastly, you can also take it all out, cut off newer pieces of the rhizomes (the extensions) and remove all old growth, and tie only the new growth back onto the wood. This way the whole group is smaller and refreshed.

Hope this helps,

Ingo

---

Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Wow, you are such a good 'mother'

I really admire you for preparing your own food - I was toying with the idea a while ago but forgot about it as my fish do not like beefheart at all. What made you decide to do it after your initial reluctance? Not eating regular foods? I have to say I am tempted again ... and if thefish don't like it it sounds like a good cat food Is it messy/bad on the water quality? the commercially available preparations are.

Beautiful photos of the fish as always and I love the 'Windelow cave'.

hi catdancer

What made you decide to do it after your initial reluctance? Not eating regular foods?

The reason was because they were not eating anything other than bloodworm and I didn't think that was so good. I tried spectrum pellet, fresh & frozen brine shrimp, frozen beef heart mix. They turned their nose up at the lot. The ingredients in the mix I found seemed so healthy. It has lots of other good stuff, besides the beef heart.

Is it messy/bad on the water quality? the commercially available preparations are.

Time alone will tell, I suppose. I only put in a very little bit at a time & don't drop the next bit in, until it's gone. Yes, I do see some mess when they bite at it - but all the other greedy little fish (including the corys) also love the stuff, so I hope they will clean up the dregs. I always feed in the one spot, so any waste always drops there. If I find it's a problem, I will siphon out a few litres daily from around the feeding area.

If you do try it, I warn you it will be smelly when you are mixing it all up (strong garlic & fishy smell) & doesn't look that great (green from the spirulina). Not cheap to purchase, as lots of the ingredients are pricey (at least here - eg salmon, prawns) but when you see how much it makes & how long it will last you - I don't think it works out expensive after all.

Oh - and I was told it is very, very important that you cut out every single bit of sinew & fat from the beef heart. The carrot is to be cooked, but the peas are not. The peas are to be frozen. Apparently, all these finer points make a difference to the chewiness (& therefore digestibility) of the mix for the discus.

Let me know how you go, if you do make it.

Cheers
TW

Robyn , That sounds like a major undertaking . Hope hubby is willing and able .
Think I would baulk at all the work and tell you to go buy a new stand . Or is that your plan

I agree with Cat , you are a fantastic mother to go to all that trouble to feed the Discus . Well done .

I'm interested in the Windelov as well . Is it a version of Java Fern ?. Any info would be appreciated

Thanks
Garry

Think I would baulk at all the work and tell you to go buy a new stand . Or is that your plan

No, I am stuck, with what I am stuck with. So you "get the picture" here is the current layout of the rumpus / fish room, showing the left, middle & right side views of the room.


As the furniture was custom made to fit the room - there is absolutely no room for a new cabinet. How easy it would be, if I could just do that.

Maybe my description of the work made it sound complicated - but I don't think it is. Plus I'm not fussy about neatness of the cuts (just want it done).

Here you see how hubby made a rather untidy looking opening for tank hoses. Basically just drilled holes through the wood next to each other - until the rough circle popped out.
Here he cut a hole in the shelf, so my C02 bottle cout fit in. This I think will be the toughest part of the project - as the shelf needs to be cut right out, so that the filter fits in.


If he'd let me at his tools, I'd do it myself, I'm so desperate Since January I've had the filter, the lights, the eco complete & the tanks were made about 2 or 3 months ago. It is very frustrating that the only thing stopping me is alteration to these cupboards. I'm getting very bored with the waiting & if he'd give me the tools, I'd do it tonight.

The end plan will see the tank in the middle (current 43G) replaced by a new 72G. On the left hand side the current 23.5G tank will be replaced by new 79G African Tank. On another wall (not pictured) the current 20G will be replaced by 72G divided tank (planted - with breeding apistos). The other small tanks scattered around the room will return to their rightful owner soon, as 'm only minding them.


Cheers
TW

If he'd let me at his tools, I'd do it myself

Well you are married to him. What is his, is yours and yours is his. Just wait until he is gone and do the work!

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Hi,
The next time you have some free time, you might go to the
nearest hardware store and purchase a "hole saw." They
come in various types from a hand operated one with a
small thin blade, to a power driven one (saber saw), or
the style that you ought to have used, a circular saw that
fits into any power drill. The o it drills can be up
to 4 inches in diameter in 1/2 inch steps. The blades are
thin metal that fit into a circular form. You choose the
size hole you want, insert the blade in the correct slots,
tighten a set screw, stick the assembly into a power drill
where a drill would normally fit, tighten the drill, and
push it through the wood.

From looking at the hole your hubby drilled, he just
drilled a set of holes in a circle, and "connected the
dots" then knocked it out leaving the half holes and
rough edges.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

TW,

I haven't checked in on this in a while, and I wish I had! Very impressive! I'm a sucker for tanks with the dense, natural look

great job again, def. going to pay more attention to your log.

---

Back in the saddle!

Hi all

Gary, windelov is a type of java fern. [link]http://www.plantgeek.net/images/plantpics/Windlov2.jpg [/link]I've seen it referred to as Lace Java Fern too.

Just wait until he is gone and do the work

Tempting as that might be Wings, I wouldn't dare. So far he is saying he will do the job - but "wants to investigate all options". Naturally, the wife's DIY idea can't possibly be up to scratch & must be improved upon by the husband Hubby thinks we should use something like this http://www.globalindustrial.com/gcs/product/productInfo.web?infoParam.mode=1&infoParam.itemKey=30024904 but that will be sooo much more We plan to use 4 supports (one each corner), so cost will be heaps. Anyway the "investigations" will continue.

Frank - join the dots with his drill is exactly what hubby did (see - that's how unfussy I am). As long as nothing is done to ruin the exterior look of the furniture - I won't be critical of an untidy job - but I will look into the "hole saw" things you mention.

Hi NowherMan6 . Thanks for popping in & thanks for the tank compliment

As usual, nothing much has changed. I might have to trim things next week, as the new tank plan is just dragging on & things (particularly my riccia) are being too shaded.

Here are a few (sorry - quite a few) random tank shots to finish off today's post











EDIT: So far all seems to go well, since increasing the temp for the discus. No ill effects on plants.

Cheers
TW

Hi,
You know, if that were my tank, I might be tempted to
remove the red rock that is poking out through the jungle.
It, and the beautiful red fish are a bit much and in the
one shot, they kind of clash.
I think I'd change it for a darker rock, grey or black in
color, just something other than that redish orange.


Frank

-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Not much to say there Robyn,

All is looking good and green and fresh

The only thing I noticed is that Discus for sure make the tank look small, but that is not your fault.

Ingo

---

Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

The only thing I noticed is that Discus for sure make the tank look small, but that is not your fault.

Well - I guess it is - me being the one fallen in with discus. The new tank will be bigger - but not that much. It's only 4inches longer & 6 inches higher. Doesn't seem much in inches - but the water volume increases to 71.1G.

Makes me wish the new tanks weren't already made. The other new tank (4ft) is only 20inches high (I did that because it is planned for Africans, who stay towards middle / bottom area). If it was 24inches high, I'd make it a hi-tech planted discus tank, so there'd be another planted log.

Sometimes I hate decisions. When you are deciding - the world is your oyster & you can plan anything you like. But ........... then you decide & you think you are settled ............ but then you see a particular discus you love & a new love affair has begun ............ the regret for the tank you have already planned begins

Anyway, To help make it 3ft tank look bigger - I'm going to try sawing off a big section from the under portion & rear of the windelov driftwood. It's so big. If I can cut it down & thin it enough, I hope to make it more like an island that will be surrounded by other plants - eg riccia. But - more will come about my half formed scape plans when the time is right. One thing I have learned - discourage well meaning family members from buying expensive hard scape items for your tank - otherwise you're stuck with using them.


Hi Frank - many things will change (probably including the rocks) when this tank closes down. At the moment, the rocks are babysitting the riccia until the new home is ready.

Cheers
TW

I know what you mean, with "There is always a more suitable tank for me" - although you didn't say that straight out.

I have the same feelings with my 40G, now I wish I would have bought a deeper (not higher) tank, but that would have had to be almost for sure custom ( $$$ ).

Ingo

---

Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Robyn . Thanks for sharing the photos of the DIY job for the cabinets . Gives a great insight into the size of the job
Good Luck with it . BTW I agree with Frank, best piece of gear I ever bought .
Also your photos look pretty good to me . But if you want to get better at editing and getting better results for the log try this site. It is helping me a lot . http://www.microsoft.com/uk/homepc/digitalimage/more/ImageEditingBasics.mspx

Pay special attention to the stuff on Jpeg compression .

Garry

I know what you mean, with "There is always a more suitable tank for me" - although you didn't say that straight out

Dead right. I haven't even set either up, but I already feel both my new tanks are completely the wrong sizes

Gives a great insight into the size of the job

The pics were more to show why I had no choice & can't just buy a new cabinet - plus to show I'm not fussy if hubby does a dodgy job (eg joining the dots).

Thanks for the picture link. Haven't had a chance to look at it yet - but will save the link to check out later.

No pics today. Nothing changed other than the riccia rocks got a haircut at water change tonight.

Only other comment is an observation about discus & water changes. For fish that are supposed to need frequent water changes - they certainly hate them taking place. They sulk & hide for the rest of the night & won't come out.

Cheers
TW

The tank looks great Robyn. That blyxa is awesome. I wish mine would have grown for me. I'll have to stick with tenellus I s'pose. Great work, awesome discus!

There's sure been an outcropping of discus lately.

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Hi Robyn:

your discus will adjust to water changes over time. Mine were the same but they chnged a lot and 'digested' even the drastic intervention that came with the remake of my tank (they were all in the aquarium). Nowadays they just act slightly annoyed but paddle around again shortly after I'm finished. On the other hand, maybe mine are a bit strange

Are all of your fish eating the homemade food? I am still tempted ...

Are all of your fish eating the homemade food? I am still tempted ...

They love it. That's all the fish in the tank - although the smaller fish all give way to the bigger rounder fish. The discus won't touch pellet. They come to the front, but just look at it, asking mum "where's the real food". Won't touch frozen brine shrimp either - but do like blood worm. I probably wouldn't have bothered with the homemade food, if they would have eaten my spectrum pellet. I didn't think a diet of only bloodworms was good enough. Now that I made it though, I have no regrets.

I have enough to last at least 6 months & I think even longer. I have about 60 plastic snaplock plastic baggies of the stuff frozen in thin layers. Each day, I snapp off the amount I think I'll need. I am still using the 1st bag with at least a quarter left in it. I have been using this same bag since I made it (about 2 or 3 weeks) so you can see I will not have to make more for a very long time.

Thanks for the compliment Matty. My blyxa is doing well. I have no room for the extra plants that continue to pop out, but am loathe to throw them out in case I need them for the new setup.

Cheers
TW

Are all of your fish eating the homemade food? I am still tempted ...

Catdancer, forgot to mention something - but you probably know already. It can take a couple of days for discus to recognise & eat a new food. On 1st feed of homemade food, only 1 ate it. One by one, they all starting eating it. Now they are forever begging for food when they see me. Unfortunately, still no success with spectrum - which I add daily for the other fish. They won't touch it.

Thought I'd mention a few changes to the tanks population:-

Traded in 1 red melon discus for 1 Super Alenquer Discus (no pics, as lights are out during a preventative worming treatment)
Added 6 cory caudimaculatus - which are meant to prefer higher temps than other corys

Sadly, I'm losing my harly rasboras, which I put down to the higher temps - as I didn't have a problem with them previously

Cheers
TW

Thanks for the info, Robyn, I am more and more inclined to prepare my own fish food (the only problem is: how does a vegetarian find out where to purchase beef heart? I am at a loss ...)

Any chance that you will start your new tank soon? I am certainly looking forward to your new log. I read that you want to set up an African themed tank, fish-wise or plantwise?

Another dump question from a veggie eater : do you cook the fish or is it raw when you put it through the blender?

Robyn
Love to see some shots of your Corys when you get a chance.
I'm thinking of getting some and I'm interested in the different types.

Thanks

Garry

Hi Gary, if ever I manage to take a half decent shot of the new cories, I will. In the meantime, here is a link with a picture. They are quite cute, I think. http://www.aquaworld.netfirms.com/Siluroidei/Corydoras/Corydoras_caudimaculatus.htm

Hi catdancer.

I read that you want to set up an African themed tank, fish-wise or plantwise?

These will be African Rift Lake Cichlids, so not planted. I might add the odd tough plant, but African Rift Lake guys apparently rip your plants up, so not much point. I was really excited about them, until I discovered "round fish". As the tank was specifically planned for the Africans & they keep to the mid/ bottom water levels, I only made their tank 20" high. A few posts above I was having a sook about my new tanks being the wrong size & that's what I was referring to. I now wish I'd made it 24 inches high, cause if it was, it might well become a 4ft long, 2ft high hi-tech planted discus tank instead of an African tank. I think 20 inches is a bit on the low side for discus though. Plus I have bought $160 worth of coral rocks, which would be wasted, as they wouldn't do at all for discus.

Unfortunately, progress is slow. Hubby says he has prowled around some hardware stores & says he is gathering his info. Meanwhile, the year just ticks away with nothing happening

Run out of time for now, but I will send you the link from the homemade recipe I use. I know my fish like this version (and there are several versions around). I'll send it soon, I promise.

Cheers
TW

i like the corys very much- they look like the ones i was hoping to get myself (i was trying to get some guapore corys but all the lfs in the area said that none of their suppliers had ever heard of them! so i am getting a few panda corys instead).

TW

I love the fish you have, I wish i had the experience to handle discuss. I have yet to handle regular FW fish. I am also planning a Ciclid tank, probably a 75 gallon. Do you think i should get it long or high because I was going to use a 48" length and then go up.

Good luck on your new tank.

Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html

Hi Fandan, I like these corys too. 1st time I ever saw them & lucky, they like higher temps than other corys, so perfect for my planted discus tank.

Hi fishmonster, thanks for the fish compliment. I them. Hope I can look after them well. They're a fairly new acquisition for me & I'm learning as I go. I've only been keeping freshwater fish for about 1.5yrs, before taking the plunge into discus.

I'm also planning a Ciclid tank

Do you mean African Rift Lake Cichlid? I have a few South American dwarf cichlids, but I'm planning an African Cichlid tank (mbuna). It will be 79G (48"L x 19"W x 20H" ).

Do you think i should get it long or high because I was going to use a 48" length and then go up.

Before taking any advice from me about African Cichlids, remember I'll be an absolute newbie myself & so not the best source But hey, maybe we can learn together
From what I've read, these guys prefer mid & lower levels of the tank & height's not so important (therefore maybe wasted??) Even so, I wouldn't go lower than 20"H. I couldn't make my tank any wider than 19" (due to cabinet limitations). If not restricted by cabinet width, I'd rather go wider & longer. My dream 4ft African Cichlid tank would be: 48"L x 24"W x 20"H. The extra width gives more room to make the rocky territory these guys love.

As a contradiction to above, my son's Africans use all water levels in his tank - so maybe extra height wouldn't be a waste after all??? Some warn a 24" high tank can be hard for maintenance (you need a long arm & might get wet leaning in & down), but have a look at countryfish's planted tank log - his may be even higher & he seems to have no trouble. Some also say 24"H = poor light penetration for plants on substrate (not a problem for Africans, but something to consider if you think you'll swap this tank over to hi-tech planted in the future). Again, look at countryfish's tank, he seems to have no light issues in his tall tank & my new planted tank will be 24" high.

In summary, IMO, if you have to make a choice between a high tank or a wide tank - I'd go for wider. But if you want to go both high & wide - why not?

Hope some of this helps.

No plant or pic updates. Still waiting .... waiting .... waiting .... for the day I can shut this tank down & start the new one

Cheers
TW

Hi Robyn:

Now I am confused, the C. caudimaculatus is listed in the Baensch as suited for a temperature range 72 - 79 F equivalent to 22 - 26 C. The C. haraldschulzi with 75 - 82 F corresponding to 24 - 28 C. The latter is also the species that my LFS who carries and breeds discus recommends. Any ideas? The C. harladschulzi is awfully cute but also hideously expensive...

Claudia

Hi Claudia

C. harladschulzi

They do sound like they're better suited. Mine are only described as liking warmer water (as compared to other corys), but you're right to say up to 26 degrees. I've never seen C.harladschulzi - but I'll look for them now that you mention they like even higher. Wish I knew of them before I bought these guys, though I have to say they very cute & bouncy balls of activity in the tank.

Cheers
TW

Robyn,

I just paid my favorite LFS a visit and talked to an extremely knowledgeable and nice person there. C. haraldschultzi as well as C. sterbai are very suited for discus tanks! In fact, I checked their current 'wild discus' breeding tank (which they display for show purposes, very much to the demise of fry) and what do I see? Two fat fully grown female C. sterbai and 3 mature boys! They have kept these guys for a year successfully with the discus at 86 F. C.sterbai is also regularly bred in the aquatic community here and supposedly suited for higher temperatures. Here is a pic of the object of my not so recent affection (I am toying with the idea of getting several of those for quite a while). Here is C. haraldschultzi:



and here is the species to commemorate the contributions of Gunther Sterba:
Sterbai is darker and the pectoral fins are more orange than those of Schultzi and at least where I live, Sterbai is more affordable.

One more piece of info: C. caudimaculautus should also be relatively well-suited! There appears to be a lot of misinfo out there - planetcatfish posts actually the SAME pic for both species - sterbai and harladschulltzi!

Aside from this, my LFS suggests to get in touch with "Ian X" in the UK through planetcatfish if desperate, as this person is considered the absolute Corydoreas Guru having bred almost every species that is available on the market.

Attached Image:

Robyn , Thanks for providing that info. I love these guys but they are quite rare up here .
Just one question , the temp thing . From what you've said I take it that these guys can
take a fairly wide range of temps? Is that right .
How goes the handyman BTW , is he getting busy yet

Garry

They handyman has set to work and was not satisfied with the DIY jack that I came up with (see 1st pic below)



Being a typical bloke - he just had to go BIGGER. This shows 4 of the 6 supports he has put in the cupboard. This cupboard could hold up a car now. In fact, if he over tightens the jacks, he can feel cupboard & tank starting to lift from the floor


Yes, yes, I know the cuts are not the neatest, but at least it is being done. He is going to put a false bottom over all. He has yet to cut a bigger hole for my filter hoses etc. He miscalculated his cut for the power point, so that hole is 3 times bigger than needed. But I don't care - I'm HAPPY, I can start my tanks.

This shot shows one cupboard (with opened doors) where the 4 supports are. Next to it is what used to be a narrow pull out draw that housed CD's. Hubby insisted that 4 supports would not be enough. Now this is a "false door" & behind it are 2 more supports. I will have to find somewhere else to store my CDs.



So, I have less usable space in my cupboard now, but at least I should be able to start filling this tank tomorrow.

Hubby is taking a break now, & will do the other cupboard once I have finished setting up the African tank.

In the meantime, I thought I'd let you know that at least things are progressing. Hopefully, it will be less than a month before hubby is motivated again. The October long weekend is looking good.

See ya.

Cheers
TW

Let's face it: you got yourself an entire new 'stand' consisting of 4 jacks with the original cupboard providing nothig but the wrapper to cover them ...

Have fun setting up your tanks

I know I will curse the thickness of those jacks, as well as the horizontal turning part of them will get in the way. The original version I picked was much thinner & didn't have the horizontal turning thing. It just wound up by rotation of the much thinner vertical structure itself. But to get it done, I had to go along with the new plan. Overall, just happy it's happening. I know you guys in the planted world won't be so interested in this tank, but I'll most likely put a pic up in the appropriate forum section.

Cheers
TW

TW,

I am sure that your tank isn't going anywhere!

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

That's for sure Wings. But I now have 2 out of 3 of the new tanks up & running, so I have to be happy about that

Cheers
TW

Robyn...Happy New Year ... Always fun to watch the breeding antics of big fish like these . I can't help you with your questions ...don't know anything about round fish ... Looks like they are happy in their home though .

Gotta be happy about that .

Garry

congrats, dear Robyn

on your breeding pair!! Ahem, didn't you once say that you do nt like the Blue Diamonds? Looks like you got a Blue Diamond dad - the breeding tube of the scribbled or whatever this strain is called looks pretty wide to me. I was told (and shown) that the male breeding tube is very thin, while the female is short and quite wide. based on what I spotted in the picture I am suggesting that the Blue Diamond is male if you have a pair (females can forms pairs as well and they will both spawn w/o any wrigglers).

Keep us posted and good luck!

Claudia

This post was originally above Countryfish & Catdancer's, but accidentally deleted. So they are responding to this post, even though it comes after theirs now.

I know they have ziltch chance of making it in my community tank, but I was surprised last night to find eggs on the filter intake of my planted community tank. I hope, at least, that means they must be happy in their home. They laid on the filter intake tube & are guarding - sometimes both together or sometimes taking turns. They both leave the eggs to feed, so their guarding skills need working on.

Hoping eggs aren't eaten before at least wriggler stage, cause then I'll know if I have a male & female, or if it's 2 females. The parents are a blue diamond from Xtreme & the other, I don't know. The LFS said "Fire Ruby" but know that's just a breeders name.

Here's "Fire Ruby" where I tried to get a shot of the breeding tube. Any thoughts on if male or female? The tube seemed more prominant yesterday. Seems to have retracted a bit today. Also anyone know what type of discus this really is?



Couldn't get a decent shot showing the blue diampnd's tube, plus there was a lot less to see. Was a different shape & not as prominant.

Here's a couple shots of them guarding.



If I can know for sure they are a confirmed pair, I'll move them to a breeding tank when I get back from hols.

Cheers

Cheers
TW

Thanks for the New Year wishes Garry & Claudia.

Ahem, didn't you once say that you do nt like the Blue Diamonds?

Well, yes I did. Seems I had just never seen a nice one. There are lots of poor quality discus around. The blue diamonds I'd seen were all dirty looking, without red eyes. I love the way this one looks though.

Looks like you got a Blue Diamond dad - the breeding tube of the scribbled or whatever this strain is called looks pretty wide to me. I was told (and shown) that the male breeding tube is very thin, while the female is short and quite wide. based on what I spotted in the picture I am suggesting that the Blue Diamond is male

That sounds like what I saw on him. As it was so short, it didn't show up in any pic. Discus forum said that Fire Ruby (Red Turk) is female. Also said eggs look infertile & that this is often the case with 1st few spawns in a community tank.

females can forms pairs as well and they will both spawn w/o any wrigglers

I know. That's why I'm keen to either sex them or see at least a wriggler, so I'll know for sure.

A few eggs this morning are white, but the parent's don't seem to know they're supposed to eat the bad eggs. I don't expect success, but if even one "wriggles" for me, I'll be pleased.

Cheers

Cheers
TW

As it was so short, it didn't show up in any pic

That's what I wanted to say, sorry for being so unclear about it. I had based the gender assignment of the pair on the appearance of the wide tube that is apparent on cute little Fire Ruby.

There are lots of poor quality discus around

Same here, it is difficult to come across a nice one that is also offered for a decent price! Not to forget health.

How big is Fire Ruby and how is the pretty Turk doing which you nursed back to health?

I am currently (again) battling a relapse with spironucleus in my pretty female Blue Diamond .... 10 days of Metro which hopefully wiped out any traces of the darn flagellate in her digestive tract!

sorry for being so unclear about it.

No, you weren't unclear. I was trying to say I understood you. So, it seems likley I do have a pair?

Same here, it is difficult to come across a nice one that is also offered for a decent price! Not to forget health

Not sure of discus prices in US, but he was reasonable @ $60, considering the ugly ones I've seen around for much more.

How big is Fire Ruby and how is the pretty Turk doing which you nursed back to health?

I will check Fire Ruby's size. The patient is fully recovered, but stubbornly won't eat food that's not red, whereas everyone else now eats everything offered. Means I keep having to offer tetra color bits, which I'd prefer not to as my mixed albino is bright yellow. Mind you, he's very pretty that way, but I wouldn't mind seeing him back to normal colour as I forgot what that looks like. He & the blue diamond are my favs. I also have a super red alenquer (named tiger), as well as the new red alenquer that's in QT as we speak.

I am currently (again) battling a relapse with spironucleus in my pretty female Blue Diamond .... 10 days of Metro which hopefully wiped out any traces of the darn flagellate in her digestive tract!

Bummer. What is spironucleus ? Is that a form of internal worms? You're lucky that you can freely use the Metro. So difficult to get here, as it's prescription only. Have you ever tried to get metro prescribed for your fish from a vet. I've managed it twice, but it's not easy. Good luck with the treatment. I'll check your thread for updates.

Cheers
TW

hi robyn - a bit off thread here, but i was at barry's shop in matraville picking up some apistos on saturday just gone, and he mentioned you were coming in later that day - pity we didn't bump into each other! i bought a gorgeous pair of agassizi, and a pair of the super-red cacs. all GORGEOUS and have settled nicely. did you get a new male? it was hard to choose one - so many good looking boys in there!! hope all is well,

justin

Hey Justin - Happy New Year. Yes, pity we missed each other. When I got there, he told me I just missed Thomas (from discusforums) who bought a pair of Elizabethan. Apparently a pretty special pair going by the price Barry quoted. Must have forgotten to mention you'd been there too. He must have guessed I might know you, as I can't even remember mentioning I visit fishprofiles, only discusforums.

Yes I got a nice male agassizi,a nice pair of double red cacs with a spare female and a pair of PT.nigerian reds. Also a red alencer discus. They are all doing well in QT. Yes gorgeous, & yours must be even more so I bet, since you had first choice Seriously though, I've been waiting for a decent shipment of apistos for a while. Only went there for one fish & came back with seven Good luck with your new apistos.

How big is fire ruby

Tried to measure her & from mouth to end of tail, she is around 3.5inches or 9cm. So still a bit of growing to do, I think? The eggs are almost all gone.

Cheers

Cheers
TW

hi robyn - i used to be on discusforums too, which is the link to barry, i think. i had my eye on the elizabethae too - they were gorgeous...but my boyfriend has made it quite clear that there are to be no more fishtanks, and i'm at capacity! my panduro have just spawned, and the new agassizi female has selected her nest site in the 6footer, right under my angels who have just spawned on a giant e.bleheri - i think it's intentional, as the angels are such great guards, but she can slip in at ground level to her little cave...hope the male is brave enough to follow her to do his part of the job!

regards,

justin

Justin, good luck with the panduro spawn. Are you going to try to raise them, or are they taking their chances in the community tank? I have sad news, my new female PT.nigerian red didn't make it in QT. She was dead tonight Will have to see if Barry has another female for me.

Just in case anyone would like to see, I've posted some updated pics of my discus in this thread:-

Discus Pictures

Cheers
TW

What is spironucleus ? Is that a form of internal worms?

I got this info from links to a Dutch web site posted on discus forum. Research has shown that it is spironucleus, a flagellate, and not hexamita, which causes lateral line erosion as well as the intenstinal manifestation of the disease. The parasite lives in the intestines where it can persist for a long time w/o causing noticeable problems until the immune system of the fish is stressed again (like having to live with an obnoxious bully and child rearing responsibilities ).

According to most recent research prolonged treatment is required to eradicate the culprit (makes sense as the duration of treatment is determined by the parasite you wish to eradicate, while dosage is dependent on the unfortunate host and it's metabolism). My little discus )4.5 inches) is eating, no stringy feces anymore and shows normal color. But I've seen that before ...

But I don't want to vent too much, looks like you have your own fishy problems at hand. Hope they will resolve soon!

Claudia

P.S. Post pics of your discus Fire Ruby is a horny little teenager! She still has some growing to do I did not see wrigglers until the third or fourth spawn, but the parents were still not ready to provide the fry with mucus. It takes time with round fish, my favorite LFS has a nice show tank with a breeding pair of gorgeous wild discus and it took them 4 or 5 spawns as well

Thanks for the disease & treatment info, Claudia. Please, vent all you like. As well as getting it off your chest, you share your experience & knowledge & educate me

looks like you have your own fishy problems at hand. Hope they will resolve soon!

Do you mean the death of the female PT.nigerian red? Well, that's just one of those things - happens sometimes with new acquisitions - she was a new purchase from Sunday. She, plus other purchases were/are all in bare bottom QT. I've replaced her already with another 2 females I picked up today. Had to get them while they were available - don't often see them around. Will be another month or so till the new fish move into their respective permanent home/s. Meanwhile, they're undergoing preventative internal worm / parasite treatment. Learned my lesson well with "the patient".

P.S. Post pics of your discus

I did. Did you see the link to discus pictures? Anyway, click here to see them Discus Pictures Hope you like them. I think the only one not in the pics is "the patient". Randy Fire Ruby is the red turk in the back left of one of the pictures. BTW, might have underestimate Fire Ruby's size. She was not being helpful when I had my measure out - kept moving. I didn't want to overstate, so I understated. When I can I'll do a re-measure.

Cheers
TW

hi robyn - the panduro are in their own tank with some ember tetras, but the female has eaten about three spawns before. she's the most beautiful but most aggressive female apisto i've ever owned. the aggies have picked out a nesting spot right under my spawning angels in the community tank, and the cacs are completely disinterested in each other!

sorry about the nigerian - i was looking at those too - gorgeous. glad you got more girls - always gotta grab them when they're available, don't we??

justin

how about a updated full tank shot TW?

33 gallon 7 neon tetras-5 platys-3 bleeding heart tetras-2 corys-1 rainbow shark-2 L83 gibby plecos

Robyn:

thanks for pointing me to the discus page. I did not notice it before (sitting in front of the computer with my eyes shut? ). All I can say: keep feeding those color bits - I like discus with reddish coloration and like the 'pseudo albino' after the color transformation much better! The picture of the first acquired red alencer shows a very beautiful fish. How many discus do you have by now? I am jealous.

Justin, that panduro sounds a very feisty lady. Good luck with her. I'm a little worried about the male Nigerian red now, especially as he will finish his QT under care of my 19yr.

Hi Claudia

picture of the first acquired red alencer shows a very beautiful fish

Yes, red Alenquer & "pseudo albino" are my favourite's.

How many discus do you have

There's Albino / Red Alenquer "Tiger" / Red Melon / Red Turk "Fire Ruby" / Red Turk "The Patient" / Blue Diamond, & Red Alencer, so that makes 7. I've got my name down for a wild Royal Blue, but I'm not sure if that will come through or not.

BTW, I've won my bet, so it will be a 6ft home for them. First we have to block up a window the new tank will be partly in front of, organise new curtains (from inside it will still look like a window) & then I get to set up the tank. Should be worth the wait.

Leaving for Surfers Paradise (Gold Coast, QLD) tomorrow for a short 10 day holiday, so hope we can get started soon after. I expect blocking up the window may take time (remember how long reinforcing the cabinets took).

Hi platy boy, thanks for popping in. Ask me for pics of my other 2 tanks & I'd gladly oblige (on return from hols) but this tank is a mess. For most of this year, plan was to shut it down & tfr all to a 72G I have sitting empty (apart from being used to grow out HC & other plants). BUT, hubby & I had a bet, which I won. Means he's buying me a 118G tank. So all year, my 43G is a complete mess. Plants stuck everywhere, in no order - no design. Just marking time, until I knew which tank I was setting up. Soon the fun will begin, & then I promise pictures to detail the whole set up. Will be a C02, planted beach front home to discus, Apistogramma, cories & cardinals (plus a few left over current residents too). Hope you pop in for a visit of the new tank, in a month or two.

Cheers
TW

I've won my bet, so it will be a 6ft home for them

CONGRATS! How exciting - there is a lot of aquascaping that can be done with such a tank!

red Alenquer & "pseudo albino" are my favourite's

Fire Ruby and "The patient" are very pretty as well!

Okay, Surfer girl, have a great time taming the waves. Your readers at FP are eagerly awaiting your return and news about the big tank!

Claudia

Robyn...congrats on winning the bet..and the new tank of course . Should be great fun

Be carefull not to fall of the cliffs that pass for beaches on the Gold Coast ATM. Lots of erosion due to the weather ..have fun and hope the sun shines for you .


Garry

Be carefull not to fall of the cliffs that pass for beaches on the Gold Coast ATM

The beach was quite a shock. Not at all it's usual beautiful self. It's usually such a gorgeous long stretch of smooth white sand. We're runners and enjoy running from Surfers Paradise Beach all the way to Burleigh Heads Beach, on the sand (you just have that one little bit just before Burleigh, where you climb off the beach up the stairs & over onto Burleigh Beach). It was such a difference. You're right, cliffs all the way, from the storm erosion. Storm also seemed to have caused a lot of debri not normally seen. Funny foam in the waves, left brown stains on the beach at times. Never seen it like it before & we've been going every summer for the past 13yrs. I think the businesses that rely on tourisim have suffered a bit this summer

But I really regret the international tourists seeing it like that. Hate they may think that's how it always is.

Having said that, we still had LOTS of FUN

Okay, Surfer girl, have a great time taming the waves

Despite the above comments, hubby & I hit the surf most days, armed with our boards. Loads of fun.

PS, I got that wild discus I spoke of. Bit disappointed. Picked him from a picture & had to pre-order & pay. He's nice & I hope he colours up, but he doesn't look like the pic I chose. He is a wild Royal Blue, or at least that's what he was sold as.

Cheers
TW

There are some new fish pics in this thread, all residents of this tank.

http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/threads/30247.2.htm?0.9847264#333505

Cheers
TW

Nice to hear that you had a great vacation (and I am sooo jealous of your running experience)! When will you start setting up the big discus tank? I am on pins and needles to see how it goes. Your new Wild Blue does look nice in the pictures, don't be disappointed, he will color up! In fact, I like him much better than the Heckel but I am not a fan of the latter. 'Ramzes' the blue bully was rather unattractive when I bought him but he turned into a nice looking fish after a while (outside, not character wise). How are your attempts at breeding dwarf cichlids coming along?

Claudia

(and I am sooo jealous of your running experience)! When will you start setting up the big discus tank?

I can't wait either, but it is finding time to organise what needs to be done firstly. A builder needs to board up window (from outside). Need to arrange for new curtains. One more cupboard needs to be reinforced (remember the jacks). Work is so busy, I'm enrolled in a study course & I'm in the midst of training for a marathon.

Yeah, the royal blue is nice, just not the fish I thought I was getting. Seller had various fish & pics. I must have been confused, but I swear the 1st pic was labelled wild royal blue.
This is what I thought I was getting

This is what I got


At the moment I'm liking the Heckle better.

How are your attempts at breeding dwarf cichlids coming along?

Not so well. The recent pairs in the fish pic link are all in this tank. Being a community, none would survive there. The male cac is too young as yet. The macmasterii have been flirting (flashing & what not) but they have only just moved in & nothing yet.

No action in the other tank either

I do however, have fry in the african cichlid tank - but they are unlikely to make it.

Cheers
TW

Hi Robyn

All this fish talk, there is not much I can add, you know way way way more by now about Apistos than I do know almost nothing about Discus

Well, all looks somewhat nice to me, and that is all I can say

Ingo

---

Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Hi Robyn

All this fish talk, there is not much I can add, you know way way way more by now about Apistos than I do know almost nothing about Discus

Well, all looks somewhat nice to me, and that is all I can say

Ingo

---

Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Hi Ingo,

All this fish talk, there is not much I can add

I'm sure you can add heaps when it comes time to plant the 6ft. Right now, I'm a bit of a fraud, here in the planted tank section. Tank still is planted, C02 pumps in - but tank is treated as a holding tank for plants & discus. Nothing is in any order & all is a mess, with some plants floating.

I hope that you might pop in with advice on planting, when the time is right.

Cheers
TW

... when the time is right

Robyn,

You know that the time is right BEFORE you plant it, right? You are a pro, so this is almost a hypothetical question, LOL.

And don't forget the hardscape!

Ingo

---

Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Yay, Ingo is right, of course. I hope you will share your thoughts in the planning phase regrading hardware with us.Something that would come in handy for myself ...

I will do so, as soon as I get a little time up my sleeve. Thanks for your continued interest in my long delayed plans.

Cheers
TW

you changed your avatar No fire ruby and penang eruption anymore ...

you changed your avatar No fire ruby and penang eruption anymore

Seems I stuffed up. It's meant to be changed to Wild Royal Blue discus, instead I must have set it to this older avator, a previous PT.Nigerian Red male. I'll try again tonight.

Anyway, I've seen some plants on line, but the site gives absolutely no information about them (lighting requirements, maximum height, all those things that we need to know). The links are below. If anyone knows anything about these plants, I'd appreciate your advice.

http://www.livefish.com.au/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1806
http://www.livefish.com.au/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1918
http://www.livefish.com.au/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_81&products_id=1804
http://www.livefish.com.au/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1816

Also, I had thought that stricta & temple were the same plant, but this site lists both - so I'm thinking there must be a difference after all?


Cheers
TW

In Order:

"Curly Ivy Bunch" - never heard of it, looks aquatic, but may not be

"Peacock Swords" - does not look aquatic at all

"Cardamine lyrata Bunch" - I actually have this one. It is basically a small form of the Pennywort, with leaves the size of a nickle (now, I guess you don't know how large that would be, LOL), maybe 1.5cm across. It is not a bunch though, it is many runners tangled up in that shot, with maybe some branching. Will do fine in medium to higher light.

"Pink Ivy Bunch" - I think I have seen this one before, named something with hedge in it and not truly aquatic. But I may be wrong.

Know little about stricta & temple, except that the latter comes in different colors and maybe that is why they call one stricta and the other temple. Just guessing though.

That's it,

Ingo

---

Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Robyn:

I absolutely agree with Ingo, the 'peacock sword' is not aquatic at all. Am right now on a business trip, otherwise I would have looked up the plant in my 'window sill plant dictionary'

Poor, poor you ... training for a marathon wish I had the time

The wild blue still looks nice to me but I understand your disappointment! I found that strains of discus can look very different depending on the source.

i have your 'peacock sword' growing in my garden right now - it's from the calathea family, and definitely not aquatic.

you changed your avatar No fire ruby and penang eruption anymore

Can't fix it. I've asked the moderators for help here http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/private.aspx?id=37017&page=1&0# Hopefully Wild Royal Blue Discus will appear as my avatar shortly.

Thanks Ingo, Claudia & Justin for comments regarding the plants. The link for the last plant wasn't working, but I've fixed it now, in case you have any comments on it.

Too bad about the sword, I thought it looked nice.

I've looked on tropica & plantgeek & couldn't find anything on either type of ivy.

Cardamine lyrata - so does it grow low then, or is it a stem plant?

The stricta & temple names are confusing. Both varieties on the site had versions that were green & others that are green with some red or mauve leaves. Remember Paulus Ingo, he once told me that stricta & temple are the same plant.

I've asked the site to confirm the plants are aquatic & to give me the scientific plant names - if they know them.

Poor, poor you ... training for a marathon wish I had the time

That's just it Claudia, I don't have the time - but I'm doing it anyway. I'm off for a 20km training run now.

That's it for now.

Cheers
TW

Robyn ...Just a thought... have you tried this site . I've bought plants from them a few times and I've been very happy with the results .

http://www.aquaticdreams.com.au/home.asp

Garry

Thanks Garry, I'm always keen to have several on line resources. They have better plant choices than most LFS. I've saved the link with all my others. I mostly get my plants from here http://www.aquariumsuppliesaustralia.com.au/store/cart.php?m=product_list&c=9. I've always been happy. I also buy a lot of my basic supplies from here too (not the dry ferts though). They have optional pick up & as I'm close to them, that's what I do. They do ship though, as you see through check-out.

Cheers
TW

Garry, I ordered a "Minder Aquarium Monitoring Unit" from site you gave me http://www.aquaticdreams.com.au/home.asp Seen similar items elsewhere on line, for around 2X price here. Hope it helps prevent me killing another fish, by forgetting to turn the heater back on.

Here are some shots that include view of some plants. Not full shots mind you - focus is on the discus, as tank is in shut down mode. They do show some of the messy, disorganised planted tank though.





Few shots of Red Alencer - for no reason, other than pics of him never turn out. These are my poor examples of my best attempts


EDIT: Forgot to inclue this guy


Cheers
TW

Robyn...

Gotta love those discus.. Hard to keep but beautiful to view!!

Shane

Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html

Hi Shane

I don't find discus that hard, other than routine regular deworming, my schedule hasn't changed at since I got them. Thanks for the nice comment.

I finally could no longer stand the mess that were the plants in this tank, so things have been tidied up. The key motivating factor was that the tank is a little overcrowded & the discus need both eating & swimming space, so all has been thinned, some plants disposed of, plus a couple of new plants purchases.

http://www.livefish.com.au/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1815 and http://www.livefish.com.au/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1817


Not a great deal of effort or thought put into the replanting, because anyone who has visited this log recently knows this tank is planned to shutdown, so it is really only a holding tank.

If Ingo were to pop in, I'm sure he'd say more plants are required but I find discus need an open space for feeding. Here's a full frontal shot

close up of the anubia group, complete with film canisters for apistos to hide in


Some of my cories hanging out under what was sold as pygmy chain sword.



this one was also sold as pygmy chain sword, but it's quite different (thinner / smaller). Being smaller, more likely to be the real deal I guess, but I don't really know.


Here's A.Macmasteri just hanging out


The last 2 of my Harley Rasboras


The willow fern up the back



One more full frontal shot


To finish up, here's my cardinal tetra group. 'Cause I'm worming the discus right now, I moved these guys out, as prazi can't be used with tetras. No, my discus aren't sick. Just that there are several fairly new discus in there, so it was time for a deworming process.


Cheers
TW

The LFS who sold me my Wild Royal Blue discus took some pictures of it, in the store tank, a few days before I brought the fish home. I'm going to add those pictures to my fish pictures thread Discus Pictures A sneaky preview though is my new avitar.

Cheers
TW

Those are rasbora hengeli.

Nice tank.

Hi COL, thanks for stopping by. I'm pretty sure this is what I have the raspbora espei, not hengeli. The hengeli is less red, although I agree my pic doesn't show their true colour - they look brownish, which is not accurate). In real life, they are a strong reddish colour. They also have the small black line behind the head (not visible in my pic) found in the espei & not in the hengeli. Either way, wouldn't bother me too much, as both types are very similar & quite pretty. I only have 2 survivors left & they were from my 1st batch of fish in the tank - so they're fairly old. http://www.bayfish.com.au/category26_1.htm
http://aquaworld.netfirms.com/Cyprinoidae/Rasbora/Rasbora_hengeli.htm

Cheers
TW

Planted tank owners in the US won't understand my excitement, but I've stumbled across a hobbyist selling off some of his Narrow Leaf Java Fern. Have no idea where he got it from, as it's not usually available in AUS (only the wide leaf version) & I have wanted it for a very long time. I paid dearly for it & it should be posted to me after the end of the easter long week end.

I'm very excited

Cheers
TW

This tank is now sitting on one of those removalist type trolleys in the middle of the loungeroom. It's counting down it's final days. Won't be long before these guys move to their new home.

A few full tank shots.



Cheers
TW

I gotta tell you Robyn, I love looking at your
photographs, your fish, and your tanks.
You do great work!

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

agreed! so what are you gonna do with the tank once the discus move out? looks like maybe another tank in the coming...???... can't wait to see the new tank with all your discus in it!!!

\\\\\\\"an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of the cure\\\\\\\"

Robyn I agree with Frank ...love those big round fish ...bet they will love their new home .

Garry

I gotta tell you Robyn, I love looking at your photographs your fish, and your tanks. You do great work!

Thank you Frank, coming from someone with your experience, that's real nice of you to say so

so what are you gonna do with the tank once the discus move out? looks like maybe another tank in the coming...???...

Hi brandeeno, this tank is destined to be sold on ebay. Yes a new tank is planned. Not very much to see yet, but this is thread of the new tank's journey into being http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/threads/37492.1.htm?0.6397477#

Hi Garry, I hope my round fish will like it

Cheers
TW