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