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Hi, I am also setting up a planted discus aquarium, Just got the tank last week. How much benefit does the substrate heater give in terms of optimal plant growth. At the moment I have 4 x 30w arcadia tubes for a 70 Gallon tank. I know it is not as much lighting as I might need to get wicked plant growth. Would a substrate heater help?

Where can you get that potassium permanganate from? Is it harmful to fish?

Hope everyone had a wicked Xmas and NY break. I have just got my new 4ft tank and will be setting it up over the next couple of weeks. I wanted to shift some of the plants from my other planted tank into the new one but have noticed that a growing population snails have developed throughout the plants. There are also a few small snails in my cycled 404 filter and wanted some advice as to whether snails are all that much of a problem and if so, should I be treating everything with snail rid before putting into the new Planted Discus Set up.

Hi everyone, Heres a pic of the discus in their new BB tank for the next few weeks. I have kept the fluval going on a very minimal flow rate and also added the filter from the discus tank. Everyone is a litte shy hanging out in the corner with the odd brave dash around their new environment. Hopefully everything stays happy and healthy over the break and will look forward to setting up the show tank in the new year.

No scratching or anything, everyone in both tanks seems happy and healthy. Had a scare with a bloated Neon a week or so back but have since learnt that Neons do not flourish in the higher temps with Discus so have given to a friend. Thinking about getting some cardinals once show tank is set up. I have been reading up large from Forum and websites about setting up a planted tank so thanks for everyones help. I am trying to sell me 14 gallon set up so if anyone is interested please check out my listing on T/ME http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... d=82109418 Im sure I will have plenty more questions re: Discus and ultimately setting up my show tank, so once again thank you to everyone for their help and looking forward to more great advice. Luke - Like the look of your young discus for sale, once I get my tank settled in the NY will PM you if you still have some available

Thanks, so there are no types of bacteria or potential parasites that the two different tanks might have that would harm the discus?

Cheers guys. Having someone come pick up the tank mates from the 170l tank tomorrow so will do the swap over tomorrow night. Will it be fine to use the FLUVAL 404 filter that has been in their with the Geos etc with the Discus. ph in both tanks are held between 6.6 and 6.8. I was thinking about totally cleaning out the 404 and getting all new media so that I can begin cycling it for my 320lt which comes in the new year. As well as this (on a very slow flow rate) putting the smaller aquaclear hang on in aswell which has been the filter in the 14 gallon tank with the discus. Any suggestions?

I am ultimately trying to set up a planted discus aquarium but until my new 4ft tank arrives after new years I need some help organising my tanks. At the moment I have 7 small discus 40-50mm in a 14 gallon tank with a few plants and substrate. I have been doing 20-30% water changes every 1-2 days and have noticed some significant growth in size and colours of all discus so far. I have recently freed up a 90x37x50cm tank that I was thinking of moving the discus into until the new one arrives as I figured it would be easier to clean and maintain especially with the few and far between water changes I will be able to do over the xmas-nyears period. This has been home to a number of Geo suris, corydoras and a bristlenose. I would keep this bare bottom and was thinking about putting a few of my plants e.g. Ambulia, amazon swords, java fern, indian fern etc in a few pots to help the discus feel secure and with the waste absorption. If this is recommended what type of plant pots are safe to use and if there are any special ones where can i get these from. Is this a wise move to make? I will be away for almost a week and a half over this holiday period and can only organise one water change in this time. Would the discus be better off to stay in their smaller planted tank or safer to move them to the bigger BB tank for a couple of weeks? I have an automatic fish feeder that will feed flake and spirulina pellets twice a day while i'm away also have organised for a couple of feedings of frozen blood worms and beef heart. Any help would be greatly appreciated. As a beginner I love reading up on the wealth of knowledge here on the forum and appreciate all comments and advice.

Dont quite understand the site address???

Thanks everyone, I did not notice any scales sticking out or any eratic movements. The poor lil fish just seemed to double in size (apart from its head). I will try find a new home for the 9 remaining Neons and will get started on a Cardinal school. I have seen them at Hollywood and Jansens for around $70 for 10. Does any one know of a breeder/importer who I can get around 20-30 for a little cheaper?

Thanks for all your help guys. The tank that I have decided to get is an Ocean Free ST120 (120x55x60) It comes with 2 x 30W tubes under the hood. I will be able to sit another lighthood with 2 x 30watt tubes on the back section of the aquarium hood (it has lift up plates) however this would mean that the added tubes would be directly above the standard light tube in the aquarium... will this be ok? Or would it be better to remove the back tube and just have the 1 standard (at the front) and then the added 2 x 30w on the removable lighthood.

What fish were already in the tank prior to putting in the discus? Were all 10 Discus put in at the same time? Have you tested for ammonia and nitrites? A sudden increase of 10 new fish to the aquarium would have placed a lot of strain on the beneficial bacteria that was already established in the tank.

Ive just been reading up about the similarities and differences of Neons and Cardinals and will definately have to splash out on a schoal of Cardinals for my Discus Show tank I am setting up. Bit more expensive than the wee Neon in the stores however!!

Hi Temp is at 29 degrees. I did not realise that the two did not share the same temp as the neons have been doing fine for the past 2 months. I will keep a closer eye on them at feeding. What small tetras relish the higher water temps?

Hi everyone Im pretty new to this hobby so any help would be greatly appreciated. I came home last night and noticed that one out 10 of my neons had blown up to almost twice its size and was hanging out in the corner of the tank breathing very rapidly. They are in with some discus so I immediately did a water change which seemed to perk the little thing up again and he was back swimming with the schoal (not eating however) This morning I found the poor sucker belly up and white as a ghost. Any ideas?

I have been growing out 5 small discus in a 70lt tank for the past few months each have grown around 20-30mm and that is the reason for the upgrade. This tank is somewhat planted and all plants are growing well with a Nutrafin CO2 injector. I dont know too much about plants and their names but my fern looking one has really taken off as well as my small grasses that almost died in my 160ltr which had the C02 injector as well as 2 x 30w Arcadia tubes. I have been checking out a few of the members tanks and really like the look of a green carpet/moss covering the front of the tank. Is this hard to achieve (lighting requirements) and can anyone help as to how to get hold of this (anywhere in the Auckland area)

How many full grown discus would fit in a 70 Gallon Planted Tank.

Does anybody know of anyone who breeds Heckels Discus and has any around the 40-50mm size for sale?

Hi thanks. Yeah the larger of the two is definately the most beautiful in terms of colouration and has very nice and long pec fins that extend well down. As for the aggression it doesnt seem to bother anyone two much. Once again thanks for your help

Thanks, aesthetically the 1200 would probably be the best and much cheaper (if i went with the 1500 i would have to upgrade my fluval 405 to an FX5). Is there anyway of adding an extra light fitting to an already exisitng aquarium hood. I am contemplating purchasing one of the OCEAN FREE EUROPEAN STYLED aquariums if anybody knows what they are like. I guess for extra light I could always lift up the rear lid and put a double lighthood????

they both seem to have elongated fins but as the pic shows, the larger one is definately more colourful. Mind you a bit of red colouring is starting to show up on the browner one. Any ideas about the tail flapping in each others face?

Yeah I have read even as much as 2-3 watts per gallon. Thanks for your help.

Hi I have a group of 5 Geos, two of which are 15cm and the rest being smaller 8-10cm. I have set up a cave from a number of slate pieces of which the largest of the Geos hangs out in most of the day (only coming out to feed). (Without knowing whether they are male or female, it might make this confusing) When he/she does come out to feed the second largest one always keeps him/her in his place trying to force him/her back into the cave. Often the 2nd largest will rub its body alongside the largest Geo fanning its tail in the others face. Also will often nip at the larger ones side. The big one doesnt seem to mind to much, it just retreats back to its cave or dodges the smaller one. When i first got them (about 5 months ago, the largest one was the dominant one and would never get hassled but over the past few weeks its been all on. Does anybody know what this behaviour means or how to sex the geos. The largest one is beautiful in colour, whereas the smaller one is much more browny yellow tones as opposed to pink, with beautiful blue shimmers all throughout Many thanks http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... d=79759767

Hi Guru's, fish lovers and everyone else! I am about to set up a planted discus aquarium and wanted some advice regarding lighting. I am growing out my fish and have decided its time to upgrade. I have the following two options 1) 1200 x 450 x 600 with 2 x 38w (Original Tropical and White Tubes) 2) 1500 x 600 x 600 with 4 x 54w (Original Tropical and White Tubes) Obviously the larger would be the best for achieving maximum plant growth but also the most expensive. Could i get away with the smaller tank with less lighting? Can anyone provide me with advice of setting up a wicked looking discus planted aquarium and also how many fish each of my options would hold.