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- #61
BryceM
Active Member
Plants ordered. 
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Journal 150g VIV Planted Discus Build Thread
- Thread starter BryceM
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Who’d you go with?Plants ordered.
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- #63
BryceM
Active Member
So far Buce & Aquarium Plant factory. There’s a few I want that they don’t have. Might eBay those. Not one stemmie. Very different for me. Going to need to play with the lights some. Most likely I should rent a PAR meter. The data would be, well, illuminating.
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- #64
BryceM
Active Member
So, today was a very big day for this setup!
By random chance, the LFS and the post office all came through on the same day. Thank goodness it was a light work day and I was able to get home early.
In these parts, you take certain fish when you can get them. Rummynose tetras, especially healthy ones are few and far between. My LFS happened to get a big batch in along with sterbai cories. Since there aren't any other fish in the tank, there wasn't any reason to just go ahead and put them in. The whole system has been purring along nicely now for several weeks and I seeded it all with gunk mulm from my other 180g tank's canisiter filter a week ago.
A huge shoutout to Buce plants! The plants arrived in significantly larger quantities than expected (a "single" plant often yielded 3-5 actual plants) and the quality of the plants delivered was exceptional! The Aquarium Plant Factory plants were in good shape, but plant size and quantities were rather small in comparison. Both were shipped with excellent packing and meticulous care for the plants. Totally satisfied!
I'm a big fan of starting out with a large quantity of plant mass, so it was a big order! Hopefully this will prevent ammonia spikes, but I still plan on frequent large WCs for the first couple weeks.
So, today in went 23 rummies and 6 sterbais.
Here's the plant list so far:
- A huge mess of Lilaeopsis novaezelandiae. Not sure about this one. It might become an invasive weed, but it should provide a decently front mid-ground/foreground mass of plants.
- Anubias congensis "mini"
- Anubias barteri "coffeefolia"
- Anubias hastifolia - These are massive! and 2 were shipped for the price of a single pot
- Cryptocoryne retrospiralis
- Cryptocoryne balansae
- Echinodorus bleheri
- Echinodorus peruensis
- Echinodorus "big bear"
- Bolbitis diformis
- Lagenandra meeboldii "red"
- Cyperus Helferi
- Aponogeton madagascarensis
- Crinum calamistratum (my favorite all time plant)
- Juncus repens
- A variety of 6 or 7 small bucephelandras
- A tiny patch of Eleocharis acicularis
- Lagenandra meeboldii "Silver Powder" - transferred from my 180g
Almost no stemmies!
The photo color temp is way off, but here's where we're at after tonight's efforts:
I really need a PAR meter. I'm running the lights at 30% of the Chihiros "buce" scheme for an 8 hour photoperiod. That's just a guess for a good starting point. Probably less is better than more at this point. None of these are particularly fast growers, so I should have some wiggle room. I'm starting out with CO2 for about a 0.8 pH drop. If the fish tolerate that, I'll push it down gradually a bit more over the next few days. I love running the controller. Not guessing about every little thing is really fantastic. I've also been able to monitor the pH drops (presumably from the substrate or driftwood) and they've really settled down now. A big airstone is set to run while the CO2 is off.
By random chance, the LFS and the post office all came through on the same day. Thank goodness it was a light work day and I was able to get home early.
In these parts, you take certain fish when you can get them. Rummynose tetras, especially healthy ones are few and far between. My LFS happened to get a big batch in along with sterbai cories. Since there aren't any other fish in the tank, there wasn't any reason to just go ahead and put them in. The whole system has been purring along nicely now for several weeks and I seeded it all with gunk mulm from my other 180g tank's canisiter filter a week ago.
A huge shoutout to Buce plants! The plants arrived in significantly larger quantities than expected (a "single" plant often yielded 3-5 actual plants) and the quality of the plants delivered was exceptional! The Aquarium Plant Factory plants were in good shape, but plant size and quantities were rather small in comparison. Both were shipped with excellent packing and meticulous care for the plants. Totally satisfied!
I'm a big fan of starting out with a large quantity of plant mass, so it was a big order! Hopefully this will prevent ammonia spikes, but I still plan on frequent large WCs for the first couple weeks.
So, today in went 23 rummies and 6 sterbais.
Here's the plant list so far:
- A huge mess of Lilaeopsis novaezelandiae. Not sure about this one. It might become an invasive weed, but it should provide a decently front mid-ground/foreground mass of plants.
- Anubias congensis "mini"
- Anubias barteri "coffeefolia"
- Anubias hastifolia - These are massive! and 2 were shipped for the price of a single pot
- Cryptocoryne retrospiralis
- Cryptocoryne balansae
- Echinodorus bleheri
- Echinodorus peruensis
- Echinodorus "big bear"
- Bolbitis diformis
- Lagenandra meeboldii "red"
- Cyperus Helferi
- Aponogeton madagascarensis
- Crinum calamistratum (my favorite all time plant)
- Juncus repens
- A variety of 6 or 7 small bucephelandras
- A tiny patch of Eleocharis acicularis
- Lagenandra meeboldii "Silver Powder" - transferred from my 180g
Almost no stemmies!
The photo color temp is way off, but here's where we're at after tonight's efforts:
I really need a PAR meter. I'm running the lights at 30% of the Chihiros "buce" scheme for an 8 hour photoperiod. That's just a guess for a good starting point. Probably less is better than more at this point. None of these are particularly fast growers, so I should have some wiggle room. I'm starting out with CO2 for about a 0.8 pH drop. If the fish tolerate that, I'll push it down gradually a bit more over the next few days. I love running the controller. Not guessing about every little thing is really fantastic. I've also been able to monitor the pH drops (presumably from the substrate or driftwood) and they've really settled down now. A big airstone is set to run while the CO2 is off.
Can’t wait for it to grow in! What’s next on the fish list?
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- #66
BryceM
Active Member
As far as fish go, I'm planning on some Discrossus filamentosus, if I can find them. Also, some Congo tetras. Everyone seems to have the color morph varieties of these but I'm very much NOT a fan of anything but wild phenotypes. Besides that, when I do see them, it's usually only a grouping of females. Hopefully "my guy" can find some.
I have a school of cardinals I could put in there, but they're pretty enough and happy enough in the little 46g low-tech tank.
The sterbais are a bit restless still, but the rummynose are settling in and eating already, which is a good sign.
Once the plants get established I'll start easing the temperature up and bump the CO2 a bit more. I'm guessing about a month before everything converts to submerged growth and I get a routine figured out. As soon as we hit 84 degrees and everything is stable, I'll start shopping for discus. I love the idea of wild fish, but not the problems that can go with them. Most likely I'll be shopping for F1 fish
I have a school of cardinals I could put in there, but they're pretty enough and happy enough in the little 46g low-tech tank.
The sterbais are a bit restless still, but the rummynose are settling in and eating already, which is a good sign.
Once the plants get established I'll start easing the temperature up and bump the CO2 a bit more. I'm guessing about a month before everything converts to submerged growth and I get a routine figured out. As soon as we hit 84 degrees and everything is stable, I'll start shopping for discus. I love the idea of wild fish, but not the problems that can go with them. Most likely I'll be shopping for F1 fish
Where do you get your fish from?
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- #68
BryceM
Active Member
Well, all over really. My go-to shop for years has been "Fish 4 U" in Salt Lake City. Sometimes I get fish mail order, sometimes other random shops. There is a new one not too far from where I live that got these in. Everything from them has been healthy so far.
For the discus, I'm not sure. Most likely I'll go with whoever can get them and speak intelligently about feeding, water parameters, source, etc.
For the discus, I'm not sure. Most likely I'll go with whoever can get them and speak intelligently about feeding, water parameters, source, etc.
Any online vendor you like for fish?
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- #70
BryceM
Active Member
Not really. I used to buy from some direct importers on the east coast, but that was years ago and I don’t know if they’re even still around.
I’m open to ideas!
I’m open to ideas!
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- #71
BryceM
Active Member
A sad update.
Of 30 rummies, only 12 are left. They started dropping off a couple days after buying them. Unfortunately I was away for a week. Now all of what's left are showing severe ich - worst I've ever seen. The corries seem more resilient. I'll remove all the fish (and treat them, with little hope of recovery) and leave the tank empty of fish long enough for the life cycle to burn itself out. Probably 2-3 weeks. It's such a pain to catch fish in a planted, 'scaped tank without tearing stuff up.
Then, we'll try again, with a different source.
Otherwise, the plants seem to be doing well...... so that's someting.
Of 30 rummies, only 12 are left. They started dropping off a couple days after buying them. Unfortunately I was away for a week. Now all of what's left are showing severe ich - worst I've ever seen. The corries seem more resilient. I'll remove all the fish (and treat them, with little hope of recovery) and leave the tank empty of fish long enough for the life cycle to burn itself out. Probably 2-3 weeks. It's such a pain to catch fish in a planted, 'scaped tank without tearing stuff up.
Then, we'll try again, with a different source.
Otherwise, the plants seem to be doing well...... so that's someting.
that sucks. are you going to qt prior to adding this time?
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- #73
BryceM
Active Member
I suppose. Since they were the first fish in, it didn’t change much, really. It wasn’t that hard to get them back out.
Stuff happens.
One thing I’ve learned in my 40+ years of fish keeping is that the easiest way to have healthy fish is to buy them that way. Sort of like the secret to cooking great steak is to start with quality meat.
A big school of rummies is one of the most visually stunning things in an aquarium, but also one of the hardest things to establish. Once they’re happy though they tend to stay that way. In my other 180g tank I still have 2 that are over 7 years old now.
My biggest mistake was picking them up from the LFS the same day they got them in. 2 acclimations in one day was probably too rough for them.
No biggie. Persistence will result in success, eventually. Besides, now I can crank up the CO2 now with reckless abandon for a while.
Stuff happens.
One thing I’ve learned in my 40+ years of fish keeping is that the easiest way to have healthy fish is to buy them that way. Sort of like the secret to cooking great steak is to start with quality meat.
A big school of rummies is one of the most visually stunning things in an aquarium, but also one of the hardest things to establish. Once they’re happy though they tend to stay that way. In my other 180g tank I still have 2 that are over 7 years old now.
My biggest mistake was picking them up from the LFS the same day they got them in. 2 acclimations in one day was probably too rough for them.
No biggie. Persistence will result in success, eventually. Besides, now I can crank up the CO2 now with reckless abandon for a while.
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- #74
BryceM
Active Member
Well, there have been no fish in the 150g for 2 weeks now. As far as Ich is concerned, I think that ought to do it. About 20 cardinals that have been in my 46g bowfront will go in soon. As for the plants, many are showing impressive growth. It's been a long time since I've kept Echinodorus species, and I'm astonished at what they do in a CO2 environment, even with relatively low light. The various crypts are starting to acclimate and are finally showing some early growth.
Diatoms have made quite the appearance, but they seem to be settling down some. I have a big order of fish coming in a couple of days. A few dozen rummynose tetras, a handful of roseline barbs for my 180g, congos (been living without them for far too long) and some sterbai corries. They'll go in the 46g when they arrive, thus the reason to move the cardinals are out.
Diatoms have made quite the appearance, but they seem to be settling down some. I have a big order of fish coming in a couple of days. A few dozen rummynose tetras, a handful of roseline barbs for my 180g, congos (been living without them for far too long) and some sterbai corries. They'll go in the 46g when they arrive, thus the reason to move the cardinals are out.
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- #75
BryceM
Active Member
A bunch of fish arrived in the mail today from "The Wet Spot" in Portland, OR. I'm really impressed with their communication, packaging, and the quality of the fish.
40 rummynose tetras
8 sterbai corries
8 congo tetras
4 roseline sharks (denisonii barbs)
It was 30-40 degrees here. The fish arrived well-packed with chem-heaters in the box. In-bag temps on arrival (4 hours late) was 72 degrees. Not bad!
After about an hour of slow water changes I put them in the QT tank. Within 30 minutes they were all schooled up and looking for food. New rummies with red noses is a happy sight.
The denisoniis will go in the 180g to resupply the school there. I'm not sure about the congos. They can be pretty active eaters and they may not be the best companions for discus. We'll see. I haven't had any for a few years and I can't believe how much I've missed them.
40 rummynose tetras
8 sterbai corries
8 congo tetras
4 roseline sharks (denisonii barbs)
It was 30-40 degrees here. The fish arrived well-packed with chem-heaters in the box. In-bag temps on arrival (4 hours late) was 72 degrees. Not bad!
After about an hour of slow water changes I put them in the QT tank. Within 30 minutes they were all schooled up and looking for food. New rummies with red noses is a happy sight.
The denisoniis will go in the 180g to resupply the school there. I'm not sure about the congos. They can be pretty active eaters and they may not be the best companions for discus. We'll see. I haven't had any for a few years and I can't believe how much I've missed them.
FrankZ
Well-known Member
I can’t wait to see this fully stocked and grown out.
Have you considered Super Cichlids since they are now Stendker Discus USA breeder?
I’ve never kept discus as they seemed a bit to bit to touchy for my life style. Maybe when the kids are older….
Just a thought for your discus options. I’ve read good things about Stendker discus and their store is very impressive for fish.
Have you considered Super Cichlids since they are now Stendker Discus USA breeder?
I’ve never kept discus as they seemed a bit to bit to touchy for my life style. Maybe when the kids are older….
Just a thought for your discus options. I’ve read good things about Stendker discus and their store is very impressive for fish.
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- #77
BryceM
Active Member
The plants went in 1 month ago yesterday. Here's an update. If you look closely, you can see some diatoms and a bit of skuzzy loose brown slime stuff. Most of this seems like new tank algae which hasn't concerned me too much yet. I'm starting to pick up just a bit of GSA so I think I'll turn the lights down a bit. Current pH drop with CO2 is right at 1.0, which for this lowish setup should be OK I'd think. Stocking right now is only 20 cardinals that went in after I got the ich disaster cleared up.
The Apon. madagasgariensis went in as a bulb only. 100% of the growth happened over the past month. That plant will probably need to be moved to my 180g when it's time to bump up the temps for the discus. The needed light level for all of these plants is astonishingly low. The Echinodorus are already showing tremendous growth and the crypts seem to be settling in. No more melting, and some new growth is appearing. The chain sword foreground is starting to fill out. The buce's are pretty slow, but that's not a big surprise.
I have been running the lights for an 8 hour photoperiod at only about 40% capacity. I'm going to dial that down to 33% for a while and see how that goes. The fish really seem to like the dawn/dusk periods. So cool.
I wish I had some ottos. Forgot to get them when I placed the fish order.
I'm strongly considering placing a shrimp order. People seem to have mixed luck with them and discus, but I could always move them to my 46g tank if needed.
The fish in the QT tank are THRIVING! So hungry. So active. So cool.
The Apon. madagasgariensis went in as a bulb only. 100% of the growth happened over the past month. That plant will probably need to be moved to my 180g when it's time to bump up the temps for the discus. The needed light level for all of these plants is astonishingly low. The Echinodorus are already showing tremendous growth and the crypts seem to be settling in. No more melting, and some new growth is appearing. The chain sword foreground is starting to fill out. The buce's are pretty slow, but that's not a big surprise.
I have been running the lights for an 8 hour photoperiod at only about 40% capacity. I'm going to dial that down to 33% for a while and see how that goes. The fish really seem to like the dawn/dusk periods. So cool.
I wish I had some ottos. Forgot to get them when I placed the fish order.
I'm strongly considering placing a shrimp order. People seem to have mixed luck with them and discus, but I could always move them to my 46g tank if needed.
The fish in the QT tank are THRIVING! So hungry. So active. So cool.
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- #78
BryceM
Active Member
One interesting note.
There's actually a bit of BGA gunk forming. Weird. To my slight surprise, I tested nitrate and found a level of only 8.8 ppm. I'm increasing the flow rate and starting to dose more nitrogen. Either the plants or substrate are removing more nitrogen than I anticipated. Some gunky thready brown stuff is forming too. I'll scrub it off and suck it out. Algae fun & games.
If it gets bad I can always nuke it with E-mycin, but that's only a temporary fix.
There's actually a bit of BGA gunk forming. Weird. To my slight surprise, I tested nitrate and found a level of only 8.8 ppm. I'm increasing the flow rate and starting to dose more nitrogen. Either the plants or substrate are removing more nitrogen than I anticipated. Some gunky thready brown stuff is forming too. I'll scrub it off and suck it out. Algae fun & games.
If it gets bad I can always nuke it with E-mycin, but that's only a temporary fix.
Sounds like filamentous diatoms. Suck it out and wipe it off with a tooth brush, it’ll subside with maturity of the tank.One interesting note.
There's actually a bit of BGA gunk forming. Weird. To my slight surprise, I tested nitrate and found a level of only 8.8 ppm. I'm increasing the flow rate and starting to dose more nitrogen. Either the plants or substrate are removing more nitrogen than I anticipated. Some gunky thready brown stuff is forming too. I'll scrub it off and suck it out. Algae fun & games.
If it gets bad I can always nuke it with E-mycin, but that's only a temporary fix.
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- #80
BryceM
Active Member
I think so too. The diatom / brown stuff doesn’t scare me. It’ll go away, but I don’t want it to get out of control. BGA is a nasty booger though.
