2,000 Liter Discus Tank

[Blobfish]

Beautiful discus!  Can't wait to see this progress.  Is there any chance that you could take photos at the discus farm, I would love to see some!

 

[DevotedToDiscus]

Beautiful discus!  Can't wait to see this progress.  Is there any chance that you could take photos at the discus farm, I would love to see some!

Promise I will 

 
Yesterday I went and grabbed a few kilos of Laterite soil, as this will form a base substrate layer at one end of the tank where I am planning to plant some Cryptocoryne. Next weekend I will pick up the plants and lights, so I will have a big update then. 

 

[Axyadbad]

This tank it going to look great..making me REALLY REALLY want a discus tank. Out of curiosity what is your pH.. or how would you keep it around 6-6.5?
 
Please update soon!!

 

[DevotedToDiscus]

This tank it going to look great..making me REALLY REALLY want a discus tank. Out of curiosity what is your pH.. or how would you keep it around 6-6.5?
 
Please update soon!!

Thanks! I will be back home this weekend and will complete the build then.
 
The pH of my tap water is around 6.5-7, but I keep it at 5.9. I control the pH level through the addition of the CO2, and run the CO2 delivery with an electrical solenoid shut off valve and a pH controller. If you haven't seen one before, it is basically an electronic sensor that is measuring the pH of the water. Once the level raises above 5.9 the controller powers the solenoid valve so that it opens, and CO2 is added. As soon as the pH drops below 5.9 the sensor shuts the valve and stops the CO2 feed. So the level is constantly at a steady 5.9. I also know that at this setting I will get around 30ppm of dissolved CO2 in the water, which is the correct level for the plants also. I don't need to use any buffers with this system.
 
It will get a little more detailed with the use of plants in the refugium and flip-flop timing on the lights, but I will explain later when I get to setting that up, so as not to confuse things just now.
 
Friday I will install the lighting, and then Saturday I will go to pick up all the plants. So I hope to have everything finished by Sunday afternoon. 

 

[DevotedToDiscus]

Heading back home tomorrow, so will pick this back up. Might go and buy the lighting units tomorrow evening and get that sorted. Then plants on Saturday, so am hoping to post major updates over the weekend!

 

[DevotedToDiscus]

I got home yesterday afternoon, and started to get things together. I went to my local DIY superstore and purchased all the lighting components, wiring, etc. Then last night I drained the tank down, and started on the scape with the rocks and wood.
 
Then it was up early and off to the market to buy the plants and some soil. I have gone with ADA Amazonia for the planted sections, and white sand for the un-planted bit.
 

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I didn't expect to get it all finished in one go, but had hoped that I could have it all scaped and planted today, and then I could put the lights together tomorrow. I have been a busy boy though, and have actually completed the whole thing! Except for moving my fish in. If everything looks good tomorrow, then they can move house! 

 
It's looking good!! I will post some photos shortly...............

 

[Ch4rlie]

Good job! You are getting there.
 
I've always liked doing tank set ups and planning what would be best and buying the kits and tank equipment is something I really enjoy doing.
 
Then at the end seeing the fish enjoying the well planned tank and making minor adjustments here and there and little tweaks to make it that little bit better.
 
Keep up the good work, posts and pics!! 

 

[DevotedToDiscus]

Thanks Charlie. Here you go...................
 

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[Ch4rlie]

Wow! 

 
A real nice tank set up, especially loving the wood and plants.
 
Very well done indeed.
 
Now I wanna rescape my tanks........

 

[DevotedToDiscus]

Wow! 

 
A real nice tank set up, especially loving the wood and plants.
 
Very well done indeed.
 
Now I wanna rescape my tanks........

Thanks dude. Was a big effort today, but didn't use too many swear words! Hopefully I will move my fish in tomorrow.

 

[DevotedToDiscus]

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[Ch4rlie]

Since you are using two different substrate/sand colours, I wonder if doing gravel vacs will mix the two together particularly at the edges?
 
Just out of pure interest really.
 
Might make harder to do over time when the two mix colours mixes a lot and your contrast between the two will become sort of blurred if that makes sense.
 
Will you be doing gravel vacs or you have another plan in mind?

 

[DevotedToDiscus]

I used 2 different substrates before and they blend over time, but it was fairly minimal. Plus, to be fair it actually looks more natural!

What I will do is be careful where I feed my fish. So hopefully I can concentrate the waste in one spot( over the sand). That's the best I can do, as toilet training is pushing it

I am very anal with my cleaning, so I don't think I will see any problems.

 

[DevotedToDiscus]

I decided to try and minimise the stress on my fish and have done a midnight move in the dark. They are looking really settled. I will leave the lights off until midday tomorrow so as not to startle them. So pics of them in their new home tomorrow evening.

 

[Ch4rlie]

Lol - toilet training fish!

Not a problem then!

Good, that makes me more confident if I evere decide to use two coloured substrates/sand in future.