I was led to believe wet/dry filter with planted tanks did not work well ? As I see it is working fine in your setup. With that kind of filter all mine have top water/skimmer drain. I see a tube on the right co2? . Do you need this or, is it just for algae control and color of the plants ? substrate ? I am considering a live planted tank as well been doing research and this setup just turned that upside down. By the way the discus are gorgeous and look like they have maxed your tank out :) Thx for the video update......looking forward to more.............
It's worked well for me. The only issue I've had has nothing to do with the filter and more with overstocking. After adding those other fish (the two gouramis, two rasboras, and 4 clown loaches) I've had a higher nitrate level than normal and have had to increase the frequency of water changes. However, the filtration portion of the setup has worked well. The black pipe on the left side of the tank has a strainer on the top of it and drains down to the wet-dry filter. I run the pressurized CO2 from the canister in the cabinet to a CO2 reactor that is in-line with a fluvial 306 filter. The return line from the fluval 306 enters the tank on the left side behind the driftwood. I use the CO2 to help plant coloration and to limit algae growth. As you probably already know, CO2 itself does not stop algae, but fast growing and healthy plants are the best way to stop it. CO2 allows the plants to grow healthier and better thus limiting algae secondarily. Carbon is typically deficient in most planted tank setups and using pressurized CO2 is one way to assure the carbon requirements are met. I use pool filter sand for substrate because it's inert and I like the white color as a contrast with the brightly colored plants and discus. However, it's a poor substrate for plants and if you use it you will definitely need fertilizers for the water column and likely root tabs as well. Hope that helps! Let me know if you have any other questions!
Good point. The aquatek regulator is well-built and I've had no issues with significant end of tank dump and have emptied the tank about 5 times. However, it's probably not worth the risk and I'll look into a dual stage. Thanks for the comment!
Thank you very much for the update, I really enjoy watching your videos. I am I day late but that’s because yesterday was my birthday. Thanks for the present LOL! But for real, I really want to thank you. You have inspired me to do more research into discus and you thought me that it a bit hard but not impossible to keep discus. That’s why I now have the courage to go out and built a new aquarium and when everything is optimal for the fish. I also sketched a sump and took in allot of your information for designing this future aquarium. I hope you will get as much views as you got from the original video, you really helped and inspired me and I hope you can inspire allot of other people! Thank you very much and keep it up!
What a amazing set up you have. I can tell you have spent a lot of time and effort with trial and error. The first question I have is how often and how much water do you do per water changes? What do you feed to keep the brilliant colors? The beef heart still or other things have been added to their diet? Have they ever bred with eachother?
Thanks for the comment! I typically do a 50-60% water change every 4-5 days. They are primarily fed beef heart from the recipe in one of the other videos, but they do receive a cube of bloodworms daily as well. They have never bred with each other. The pigeon blood strains in the tank are all female and occasionally lay eggs on the driftwood or aquarium glass, but the eggs have never been successfully fertilized.
nice big discus.....but question why all the discus has their dorsal fin not rising (kind of clamping), is it because you just do water change which normally tap water is cold?
Not sure, they seem to be rising and lowering at times to me. I don't think it has to do with the water temp from the change because I have the temp similar in the new water. I would think it's more of a behavioral thing.
Thanks for watching! Feel free to comment or ask questions below! Skip to 9:40 to see some closer video of the discus.
I was led to believe wet/dry filter with planted tanks did not work well ? As I see it is working fine in your setup. With that kind of filter all mine have top water/skimmer drain. I see a tube on the right co2? . Do you need this or, is it just for algae control and color of the plants ? substrate ? I am considering a live planted tank as well been doing research and this setup just turned that upside down. By the way the discus are gorgeous and look like they have maxed your tank out :) Thx for the video update......looking forward to more.............
It's worked well for me. The only issue I've had has nothing to do with the filter and more with overstocking. After adding those other fish (the two gouramis, two rasboras, and 4 clown loaches) I've had a higher nitrate level than normal and have had to increase the frequency of water changes. However, the filtration portion of the setup has worked well.
The black pipe on the left side of the tank has a strainer on the top of it and drains down to the wet-dry filter. I run the pressurized CO2 from the canister in the cabinet to a CO2 reactor that is in-line with a fluvial 306 filter. The return line from the fluval 306 enters the tank on the left side behind the driftwood. I use the CO2 to help plant coloration and to limit algae growth. As you probably already know, CO2 itself does not stop algae, but fast growing and healthy plants are the best way to stop it. CO2 allows the plants to grow healthier and better thus limiting algae secondarily. Carbon is typically deficient in most planted tank setups and using pressurized CO2 is one way to assure the carbon requirements are met.
I use pool filter sand for substrate because it's inert and I like the white color as a contrast with the brightly colored plants and discus. However, it's a poor substrate for plants and if you use it you will definitely need fertilizers for the water column and likely root tabs as well. Hope that helps! Let me know if you have any other questions!
Nice tank. That regulator is a single stage one. Don't let it run empty or it will do an end of tank dump and it might kill your fish.
Good point. The aquatek regulator is well-built and I've had no issues with significant end of tank dump and have emptied the tank about 5 times. However, it's probably not worth the risk and I'll look into a dual stage. Thanks for the comment!
Thank you very much for the update, I really enjoy watching your videos. I am I day late but that’s because yesterday was my birthday. Thanks for the present LOL! But for real, I really want to thank you. You have inspired me to do more research into discus and you thought me that it a bit hard but not impossible to keep discus. That’s why I now have the courage to go out and built a new aquarium and when everything is optimal for the fish. I also sketched a sump and took in allot of your information for designing this future aquarium.
I hope you will get as much views as you got from the original video, you really helped and inspired me and I hope you can inspire allot of other people!
Thank you very much and keep it up!
Thank you for the nice comment and good luck with the new aquarium!
What a amazing set up you have. I can tell you have spent a lot of time and effort with trial and error. The first question I have is how often and how much water do you do per water changes? What do you feed to keep the brilliant colors? The beef heart still or other things have been added to their diet? Have they ever bred with eachother?
Thanks for the comment! I typically do a 50-60% water change every 4-5 days. They are primarily fed beef heart from the recipe in one of the other videos, but they do receive a cube of bloodworms daily as well. They have never bred with each other. The pigeon blood strains in the tank are all female and occasionally lay eggs on the driftwood or aquarium glass, but the eggs have never been successfully fertilized.
How many litres is your tank
It’s about 227 liters (60 gal).
Nebraska represent
Cool 👍
Thanks for the comment!
nice big discus.....but question why all the discus has their dorsal fin not rising (kind of clamping), is it because you just do water change which normally tap water is cold?
Not sure, they seem to be rising and lowering at times to me. I don't think it has to do with the water temp from the change because I have the temp similar in the new water. I would think it's more of a behavioral thing.