Plans For A discus Planted Tank

[stingray man]

I did some reaserch and during my search i was finding that if one thing changes everything change (ie: tank high, wattage, and co2 levels). So i figured better be safe and ask. Im looking to have heavy cover with plants, somthing like this, http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76023&page=18 (kingborris wild's), but i dont want plants above the water line.
What i have to work with is a 60 gallon tank (48*12*24*) (basicly a 55 gallon show). I was looking at this for lighting- http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+9871&pcatid=9871 (48 inch freshwater light). Second i was wondering how many diy jello co2 i would need to go along with that lighting. Next, i was wondering what kind of substrate i need. Any other tips would be well appreciated. Dont hesatate to tell me what you think about my idea thanks.

 

[oOMO3NOo]

i am no expert on discus or planted tanks i have been doing research on discus. i hope to start a discus show tank when i get the cash. but ill put my 2 cents in and people can say yes or no to them.

for co2 i would recomend not doing the diy and doing presurized for a few reasons the major one is that it is easier because it is constant. diy changes alot this can give you algea when you dont want it. and presurized will keep a more stable set up for the discus. also i think you would need atleast 4 2L bottles and thats a pain to deal with.

lighting that is a good light i would recomend looking at HO T5s bulbs are cheaper and they can reach plants that are in deeper tanks but cf are good lights as well i have used both prefure the T5 but they are a little more expensive

substrate i have used the seachem plant substrate and i like it so far (only had it a short while) but i would guess any would be ok. some are said to change water conditions so watch out for that.

and i am not sure if you have the discus or how your going to buy them but this is what i plan on doing and would recomend somthing similer im going to get young discus and grow them in a barebottom tank tell they are all adults or close to it. the day i put my discus in the barebottom is when i will have my "show" tank set up and started. i will then put the cardinals (or some fish to cycle it very very well) let the show tank run with fish in it the whole time my discus are growing out then when the discus are large enough they will go in the larger tank. or you can avoid all the work by buying adult discus but thats expensive.

well hope that helps and im sure other will have things to add. (if anyone wants to tell me anything that i said that was false im always up for learning.)

 

[stingray man]

Thanks. Does any one know where i can get the co2 bottles

 

[oOMO3NOo]

most welding shops will have them or bars will sometimes have them for sale but i wouldnt recomend getting them offline caz i have heard of them being sent without stickers on it and it cant be filled tell you get stickers on it which isnt very much but its just a pain to get them put on. also some co2 systems are ran off paintball bottles which you can get almost any place. mine was a 5lb bottle and i payed about $58 for mine hope that helps