Cant Decide On What To Do

[garyspence84]

Currently, in my 55g tank, I am running a discus community tank, which is heavily planted, and needs a lot of time and attention, which, with my 2 jobs and 17month old daughter, time is pretty scarce.

I am doing a 40% water change, with big clean, every Sunday, and a small 10% water change mid week if needed. And feel that's it no where near enough maintenance. Every day the plants need a we clean up and pruning, gravel given a good going over and glass cleaned.

Before I started the discus tank, I kept severum, silver dollers, and some various other fish, so plants never lasted the night, it was all rocks, wood and the odd plastic plant. And it was Sooooo easy to maintain. 1 weekly 35/40% water change and a quick brush down and it was done. Water was always perfect and tank spotless.

I'm now thinking of going back to this set up, but keep some of the bigger plants that have 'thick skin' and well rooted.

I love my discus, and have loved watching them grow. But also miss the easier set up.

I'm not ooking for answers, just looking to have a rant about my fish. And since the Mrs couldn't care less, you guys the the "lucky" ones I get to rant too.

G

 

[minnnt]

Stick imo. Choose plants that are low maintenance. By the sounds of things you have a lot of fast growing stem plants. I would look towards a Cryptocoryne themed tank. You could fill it from front to back with all the different kinds available. You can also add shed loads of Java Ferns and Anubias. Again, there are loads of different kinds from small to big. All the plants mentioned are slow growing and would require minimal care from you. That would also enable you to lower the lighting which in theory should help out with any algae issues.

Hope that helps a little.

 

[garyspence84]

Cheers minnnt.

I have a mix of fast growing and slow growing plants, but it seems to be all the slow growing plants that get the most muck on them, and bba, which tends to grow on slower growing plants.

Would the input of extra co2 make any difference maybe?

I'm going to strip the tank right back over the weekend, take everything out, go over with a fine tooth comb, bin some stuff and give it 1 last go. As I really do love my discus, and coincidentally, found a really good discus dealer, who is very reasonable.

 

[minnnt]

Hi Gary, there is obviously something that is contributing towards the algae. What kind is it? Do you know?

Slow growing plants often attract algae but lowering the light intensity and possibly the photo period could really help.

When you say input more co2, what do you mean? Are you running pressurised and dosing ferts?

Discus are great fish, they're worth the effort over a bare (non planted) Sev tank. IMO.

 

[garyspence84]

Sorry, I meant running a pressurized co2 cylinder. I have a power head, dose daily with plant feed and have the lights on timed for 4 and a half hours a day. As far as I can tell, its black bush algae.

About a month or 2 ago, I stripped the tank, cleaned everything and completely blacked out the tank for 5 days, and it kind of got rid of it, but after a day or 2 it re appeared and now I'm back to square 1.

I no discus and a nice planted tank are totally worth it, and believe me, I will give it an other go, just having a bit of a 'rough patch' rigjt now

G

 

[minnnt]

This is a great article on BBA.

http/www.thekrib.com/Plants/Algae/red-algae.html

If you have no co2 running atm then introducing it and creating a balanced tank will work well.

 

[garyspence84]

Waw man, that is a pretty, good, in depth link. Nice 1!

Cheers minnnt. As always

Will look at some prices to run co2, and will do as the link says, with the bleach and water.

Will post updates as it gets done.

G

 

[minnnt]

I found that running any plants under the hot water tap works a treat as long as it isn't too hot. Also spot treating with liquid carbon can aleviate the problem on the plants. As to what is causing it is upto you to find out.

A DIY fire extinguisher setup will set you back about £80-£100. It can be done cheaper but you get less control over the system with regards to solenoids etc. There are some really good threads around with regards to setting one up and sourcing the bits and pieces.