Planted Tank in New Zealand

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo

BlueNZ

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 27, 2006
6
0
0
NZ
I've had a small project going since moving to the new house back in December. First I was allowed a 460L (115G) tank in the living/dining room and then I had the task of making it presentable and definitely awe-inspiring for my discus and plant customers that come by. No, it's not a full time business but has definitely become a part time job!
So this is my tank. Sadly enough the Metal Halide light prevents me from taking a decent pic from below the water line to show off the wood and other fish, but here's a quick snap to share with you all.
As for what fish are in there - mainly discus, cardinal tetras, corydoras sterbai and Royal Plecos (Panaque Nigrolineatus). There's a few others that come and go but that's the starring cast :)

DiscusTank28Julyweb.jpg
 
that is a really nice tank, i like the micro sword (i think that is what it is, in the front on the left)
 
Thanks! It's Dwarf Sag (Sagittaria Subulata). I'd offer you some, but importing/exporting anything to/from New Zealand is a bit of a nightmare ;)
 
very nice discus tank
 
Everything looks great, really nice setup. I like the emergent plants and the nice school of cardinals.
 
very nice looking tank
 
Thanks everyone :) Yup, another kiwi. Wish I had more "monster fish" but aside from big royal plecs and foot long clown synos nothing very HUGE lurks in my tanks. I'd hate to think what would happen to my discus if they ever had to face off with some of the fish I've seen around here!

Yup, it's a breeding cone! I do 20% cold water changes twice a week and the discus go mental spawning all over the place. As the tree trunk is only so large there's a bit of a struggle for good spots so I threw in the "traffic cone" to add some egg-laying surface.... no discus have used it to date, much preferring wood, intake tubes, heaters and sword leaves. :confused:

So about the tank - 460L kept at 28C. CO2 injection via 2x 8 coil glass diffusers with ceramic discs and a 3.5kg bottle with solenoid.... I rig up CO2 setups for customers as well so have all the toys in that respect... no DIY jobbies, either...

Plants include but not limited to (I'll use common names here) - tiger lotus, fine leaved java fern, red rotala, marble swords, red melon swords, leopard swords, copper swords, dwarf sag grass, fine leaved indian fern (needs to go, but such a great cover plant!) and a bit of cabomba.

Lighting is a single Arcadia Series 3 150W MH at 5200K. I find that this is enough light for the entire tank even though I was recommended to use a 150W light every 2ftx2ft surface area by the salties. Perhaps for corals, but this is plenty for this tank!

Filtration is via a Fluval FX5 with the output nozzles pointed at the glass walls to diffuse the current for discus. That's plenty for this tank... at 2500L per hour the water in this tank is CRYSTAL and only takes 10 minutes to clear up even when tons of mulm is stirred up by ripping out swords that grow too large.

So... the emersed marble sword(s) in the back... too much? I love the natural feel of the tank but hate looking at leaf stalks across the back of the tank.... may soon rip out the big swords and replace with baby marble swords or val (eel grass).

Thanks for looking and the compliments. Y'all have a great site here and I'm happy to meetcha! :headbang2

P.S. - I'm a kiwi that was raised in Cali and spent 4 years in the USMC before heading back here to finish Uni and stuff.
 
MonsterFishKeepers.com