discus and planted tanks
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Discus and Planted Tanks
NEDA Fall 2009
Steve Colley
Thank you
Progression of Topics
Agenda Planted Tanks 101 - 25 min
Discus with Plants – 20 min
Wrap-up – 5 min
Good Company
Exclusions
Fact vs. Opinion*
My own pics
Lots to cover
CRS
PLANTED TANKS 101
Steve Colley
NEDA Fall 2009 Meeting
PT‟s do not mimic
nature
Everyone starts
somewhere
Plant Origins
Plant Types• Aquatic
• Marsh
•Emergent
•Submersed
• Slow dying
Plant Introductions
Macros, managed• Carbon
• Calcium
• Nitrogen
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Magnesium
Macros, unmanaged• Hydrogen
• Oxygen
Micros • Boron
• Copper
• Iron
• Manganese
• Molybdenum
• Nickel
• Zinc
Nutrients
Sequestration Locations
Fertilizers• Liquid
• Self mixing
• Dry dosing
• Root tabs
Fert sources • ADA
• Seachem
• RexGrigg.com
• Tropica
• others
Nutrients
Flourite / Laterite
Substrate
Flourite / Laterite
Eco-Complete
Substrate
Flourite / Laterite
Eco-Complete
ADA Aquasoil
Substrate
Flourite / Laterite
Eco-Complete
ADA Aquasoil
Turface / Soilmaster
Substrate
Flourite / Laterite
Eco-Complete
ADA Aquasoil
Turface / Soilmaster
Potting Soil
Sand
Substrate
“Light is the Throttle”
-Tom Barr
Photoperiod*
• 7-10 hrs
• w/ midday peak
Color*
Siesta*Light
Sources:Atmosphere
Excel
DIY Yeast
Pressurized
Voodoo devices
CO2
Concentrations:Ambient - @5 ppm
Ideal – 20-30 ppm
Trouble* - 50+ ppm
CO2
Temp*• 72-76 degrees F
pH*
• 5-9
GH (Ca + Mg)*
• 1-10, 3-5 ideal
KH (Carb/Bicarb)*
• ~ same as GH
Quality
Water Changes*
• 50% / wk or lessWater Parameters
Light• < 2.5 – 3 wpg
Ferts
• Few, none
Filtration
• Hang on
sufficient
Low / No testing
Low Tech Approach
Light• 3-5+ wpg
Ferts
• Required regularly
CO2
• Required, lots
Filtration
• Aggressive
• Closed loop
Test
Test
Test!
High Tech Approach
TypesGDA
GSA
Filamentous
Hair / Beard / Brush
BGAAlgae
LimitingPlant health
Dense planting
No “bottoming out”
No excess nutrients*
Limit sunlight
Limit silicates*Algae
CombatingPrevention
Natural
Manual
Chemical / Med
Starvation
Blackout
TeardownAlgae
EI = Success*
ADA = Easy*
Substrate heating matters*
Water temp is critical*
Phosphate does not promote
algae*
Excess CO2 does not promote
algae*
Myths
PlantsAnubias barteri
Anubias barteri v. „Nana‟
Anubias barteri v. angustifolia
Crinum calimistratum
Cryptocoryne wendtii
Echinodorus bleheri
Echinodorus „Ozelot‟
Echinodorus „Rubin‟
Hygro Corombosa
Hygrophila difformis
Nymphaea zenkeri
Taxiphyllum alternan
Current Tank
Lighting• 150w MH (2x)
• < 2 wpg
Substrate• ADA Aquasoil in
plastic pots
Current Tank
Algae• GSA
• Filamentous
Maintenance timeline• 5 hrs total in 8 months
• cleaned tank 6 weeks ago
• planted anubias 1 mo. ago
• cleaned acrylic last week
• changed 1 filter yesterdayCurrent Tank
Questions?
PLANTS WITH DISCUS
Steve Colley
NEDA Fall 2009 Meeting
Nitrogen Cycle
Solved!• Or is it?
Discus just too big
Natural Nutrients
Fish waste &
Food
Ammonia to Nitrite
Nitrite to Nitrate
Nitrate as Plant food
Plant Waste (O2) for
Fish
Plants love Discus waste
Excess NH4 triggers algae
Natural Nutrients
Cryptocoryne sp.
Sagittaria sp.
Anubias sp.
Vallisneria sp.
Crinum sp.
Hygrophilia sp.
Echinodorus sp.
• E. bleheri !
Microsorium pteropus
Push the boundaries
Discus Suitable Plants
Not a planted carpet• Feeding areas beneficial
• Compliments fish behavior
Pots / Planters
Sand
Bare substrate
Substrate Options
Temp
Water Changes*
Ferts
CO2
Med limits
O2 Supplement*
Feed Cycles*
Heavy Bio Filtration*
Good flow*
Less food*
Water Management
Food eaters
Snail control
Algae control
Clean-up Crew
Breeding
Controversial Topics
Breeding
Non native plants*
Controversial Topics
Breeding
Non native plants
CO2 injection
Controversial Topics
Breeding
Non native plants
CO2 injection
Injury
Discus sizeControversial Topics
Hiding
Jumping*
Personal Observations
Hiding
Jumping*
Stunting*
Personal Observations
Domestic Discus• Cobalts
• High-bodied Leopards
• 3R2s
• 3Rs
• Snow Whites
Green Neon Tetra• Paracheirodon simulans
Oto cats• Otocinclus affinis
Zebra Loaches• Botia striata
Schwartz Corys•Corydoras schwartzi
Bristle Nose Plecos• Ancistrus sp. (L-144)
Current Fish
Questions?
WRAP-UPSteve Colley
NEDA Fall 2009 Meeting
Paths to Planted Discus Tank Success
• Research THEN act*• Proper sequence*:
• Plants
• Inverts
• Ferts
• CUC
• 1st Fish
• Reduce inverts
• Repeat
• Gradual changes
• Change 1 thing at time
• Best to learn w/o Discus*
• Can‟t wait? Go low tech*
• Books
• On-line resources
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