Reefs.org Forums

[Guy]

OK, so I've never had a freshwater tank

I haven't been a newby for about 30 years but here goes. I'm open to all critics at the moment but by middle of next year I think I may have to stop using the newby excuse.

[seamaiden]

I totally dig how you scaped it. Might need some filling in for some fish (more higher plantings or wood pieces in the foreground), otherwise, I would be proud to have a tank like that in my home.

[Guy]

:D I totally dig how you scaped it. Might need some filling in for some fish (more higher plantings or wood pieces in the foreground), otherwise, I would be proud to have a tank like that in my home.

I think I done buying plants. It looked extremely sparse for a few weeks but they seem to be growing fast enough now. I was hoping the front will fill in to look like a grassy carpet. I want the back and overflows 100% covered in tall plants and then some mid-sized plants in patches for the mid-ground.

[seamaiden]

Oh, they're live (I thought so but wasn't positive). Yeah, let 'em fill in. The discus I can make out seem to be happy. It's a nice set-up.

[beaslbob]

Looks great Guy.

and I agree the plants will fill in nicely.

You using any fertz/co2?

How about circulation and filters.

Dare I mention water changes?

But looks great.

[seamaiden]

Dare I mention water changes?

Oh, they'll BAN your ass if you go there for sure!

[Guy]

You using any fertz/co2?

I have CO2 ready to go if I notice the plant growth slowing. Conveniently, the calcium reactor didn't need much tweeking to become useful. I didn't start with CO2 because I had so few plants I didn't think they would be starving for carbon. Same for fertz, not yet.

How about circulation and filters.

No filters but I do have a middle tank downstairs that serves as a settling tank to collect detritus. This has turned into a huge bonus because it also seems to collect baby fish and shrimp. I started last month with 10 Red Shrimp and 10 Celestial Pearl Danios and I now have over a hundred Shrimp and about 30 Danios.

I still have the sump in the basement but I swapped out the Iwaki 100 for a 30 with a bypass. The turnover in the tank is probably 2X per hour.

Dare I mention water changes?

I still have the auto topoff working. The grape wood is still throwing off bark because I don't think I scrubbed it enough so when I vacuum that out the water change happens automatically. I added 3 Discus last week and I have been told that they need the water a little cleaner than most fish. So, I'll probably step up the water changes until I get a knack for reading fish health. I can't seem to read these fish as well as I could read my saltwater fish. They seem to have only two emotions that I can sense - Hungry or Scared. They must be a bit more subtle than I'm used to.

But looks great.

Hey, thanks Hopefully it will look better after a few months. I still have livestock to add. I want either Cardinal or Neon Tetras. I hear the Neons are easier to breed so that may make the choice for me. I have two Plecos and two Corydoras as well. They've been entertaining.

[beaslbob]

Yep you're off and running.


What kind of substrate? I can't keep neons with sand but the do well with peat moss in the substrate. Perhaps your grape wood will do the same affect.

I think you'll find water changes are irrelevant and the plants will do fine with no fertz or co2. You may get cyano after a few months which I kill the lights to get rid of.

Geesh first attempt and you're already breeding more then me.

again congrates.

[Guy]

I have Eco-Complete on top of an inch of peat.

[beaslbob]

I have Eco-Complete on top of an inch of peat.

I should have known.

Keep us posted.

[Guy]

I have Eco-Complete on top of an inch of peat.

I should have known.

Keep us posted.

Is that a bad thing? I tried to do my research but there are hundreds of differing opinions on substrate. It's worse that saltwater with the varying opinions.

[beaslbob]

I have Eco-Complete on top of an inch of peat.

I should have known.

Keep us posted.

Is that a bad thing? I tried to do my research but there are hundreds of differing opinions on substrate. It's worse that saltwater with the varying opinions.

In my limited experience the peat moss is necessary for neons.

Plus eco complete is a fairly standard substrate.

I should have known you would figure out how to keep tetras on the first try.



But then come to think of it I did one my first also. but later tanks with no peat moss I couldn't keep neons.

You're correct there are many different confusing things on fw planted substrates. One constant to me seems to be some organics like the peat or even potting soil.

my .02

[seamaiden]

I've never had a problem keeping neon tetras and I haven't used peat as a regular part of the set-up. Cardinal tetras, they definitely responded to the peat, but I put it in a box filter, not as the substrate.

[Terryben]

I'm new at freshwater too, and wondering what you're feeding the discus fish that they are eating.

[Guy]

I'm new at freshwater too, and wondering what you're feeding the discus fish that they are eating.

I alternate frozen bloodworms, beefheart, and mysis shrimp. The Cherry Red Shrimp have lots of offspring and they eat those too. I thaw a chunk of food until it sinks and then gently release it into the water. The Discus then pick at the blob of food until it's all gone.

[Terryben]

Thanks; any experience with freeze dried food for discus?

[Guy]

Thanks; any experience with freeze dried food for discus?

I wouldn't take anything I say to heart. I'm had exactly 2 weeks of Discus experience.

That said, do you have your water warm enough for Discus? I don't think they will eat if the temp is too low.

[Guy]

They swim so slow I would think I could get a good pic. I guess I'm used to the abundance of light on a reef.

[Guy]

Having trouble getting a good pic of the Danios as well. They just don't sit still.

My Pleco is shy but will venture into the light occationally.

[seamaiden]

You've got otocinclus in there, too? Those are neat, if delicate, little fish.