6ftx2ftx2ft Planted Discus Aquarium

[cheesy feet]

Hi i will be setting up a 6ft aquarium (this week)with 9 discus ,rainbow fish ,guppies,moonlight gouramis plecs,catfish and chinese algae eater.Also can anyone reccomend lighting for plants(which won't hit over the £100 mark)Havn't been on here for a long time btw.Been more focusing on my reptiles

 

[Themuleous]

You going for a high light or low light tank?

Sam

 

[cheesy feet]

Medium .I won't be keeping anything which needs really high light requirements.I'm just looking now and it is supposed to cost me £700 for 3 watt per gallon.But i think ill ahve to go for the 2 watt per gallon ratio

 

[Alex_]

What type of plants are you thinking of having in your tank? you might want to rethink your fish list. rainbow fish ,guppies and chinese algae eater fish are not compatiable with discus. guppies and most catfish will not cope to 82+ degree Temperatures. Rainbow and chinese algae eater are way to active for Discus liking.

 

[cheesy feet]

Yes they are compatable.I have been keeping them with the discus for 2 years...I know they are not the best fish to be with discus but they do mix.Most guppies & and catfish won't cope 82 F +...thats a lie,mine cope fine .Anyways i'm keeping amazon swords,java moss,java fern,corkskrew vallis,vallis +much much more which i got from ebay .I don't know there exact identities but they are supposed to be plants which don't need to high lighting requirements.

 

[Themuleous]

I make your tank about 175USg, and for such a large tank I would think you need to aim for a lot less light. According to the finches lighting article (amano lighting link in sig) amano would have 240w, so if you want a medium lighting perhaps aim for around 200w. That shouldn't cost you 700quid!

Sam

 

[Alex_]

Do you have picutures of your tank?

 

[George Farmer]

For £100 you're looking at low light for a 180 gal. unless you can find a bargain somewhere.

I'm actually in the process of planning a planted 6x2x2. Lighting will cost £500 to £100 for med-high lighting.

That's some fish mix...... I've never heard of guppies and rainbows with discus.

 

[cheesy feet]

Few,after looking further i found some for £350.Now searching for 200 Watt.Hopefully ebay will save me

 

[cheesy feet]

Yup i know it's not a very good fish mix but it has been working,i think as catfish and guppies can be quite hardy fish they have adapted to the slightly higher temps.The discus ignore the rest of the fish because there are so many of them.No sorry i don't have any pics but i am collecting it tomorrow.Will post pics when setup

 

[cheesy feet]

Also what co2 system would you reccomend or should i go DIY

 

[Themuleous]

DIY CO2 on a 660lt tank! You'd need at least 10 if not 12 or 14! Pressurised for sure! And get one with a big cylinder, you'll be forever changing a 500g one.

Sam

 

[cheesy feet]

goodie goodie..i thought i saw a £90 1 for up to 300 litre tanks

 

[cheesy feet]

I'm looking at substrates and they are all so expensive.Do you guys think i should just plant my 4ft long(30gal) tank and leave this biggun for the time being!?

 

[cheesy feet]

I've found some cheap black gravel on ebay http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/BLACK-AQUARIUM-GRAVE...QcmdZViewItem.I was wondring if i used TetraPlant Complete Substrate under neath amd this on top would it work?http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=220&products_id=487

Thanks