Blue Ram

In the next week or so I am going to redo my 90 gal discus (8 adult discus) tank that has been set up for a couple of years. I'm removing the gravel and a very large piece of driftwood that takes up 1/3 of the tank. I plan on creating a terrace in the back portion of the tank using mostly dark fluorite (not black) substrate. I'm considering using a piece of plexiglass to shape and hold the fluorite where I want and then in front of the plexiglass using some rocks to break up the line where the substrate will change to white pool filter sand. I'm hoping with this, I can keep the two substrates more or less separate. I'll use the fluorite to plant some plants although I prefer to keep the tank quite open as the discus are well accustomed to being out in the open. I'll have some small pieces of driftwood in the tank for hiding spots for the bottom dwelling fish.

Since the tank is open top, I thought I would try a plant that would grow out of the tank or something that doesn't need to be planted. Do not want anything too big. Have a 4' double T5HO light - no C02.

Looking for some suggestions and/or comments on what I'm considering.

My 90 gal discus tank has been running for 3 years and houses 8 big adult fish. I have never adjusted the tap water and do large water changes twice a week right out of the tap. The water is adjusted for temp and dechorinated only. No issues.

I need some advice from you plant experts! I recently upgraded my lighting on a 90 gal discus tank to a 48" double HO T5. I couldn't believe how much it lighted up the tank and brightened up the colours on the discus. It has a 10k and 6500k bulb on for 11 hrs in total with a 3 1/2 hour break in the afternoon. It is mounted on legs above the open tank. The tank has a couple of smaller sword plants and a large group of crypts. I do not fertilize the tank and do not have any CO2. I have always had hair algae growth on the large piece of driftwood in the tank but it was manageable and came off easily when I was doing water changes. I do 2 to 3 large water changes a week on this tank so I don't believe the nitrates are high. With the new light, the hair algae has increased and the plants are now getting covered with hair algae. I don't want the tank filled with plants because it will cut down the swimming area for the discus which are large fish - 5" plus. I'm wondering what my best options are for algae control:

- install pressurized CO2;

- start fertilizing daily with PPS Pro system;

- add a couple siamese algae eaters (not thrilled with this because as they get bigger they are competition with the discus for food)

- change bulbs or suspend lights from the ceiling?

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks,

This happened to me several years ago and I was shocked when I saw the tank in the morning. Surprisingly two large clown loaches survived but 3 beautiful plecos and all my rainbow fish died overnight. I have never used DIY C02 again. I did two large water changes and cleaned my filter really well and the tank was clear within 48 hours.

With this parasite, you always have to treat the entire tank and also take precautions that it doesn't spread to any other tanks. What did you treat with the first time? I would suggest checking with "Mykiss" on BC Aquaria as he sells the meds you need and also may be able to give you some advice on its safety. I know plecos would be fine.

I was able to purchase a "like new" used fluval for $65!! Will be setting it up this weekend. Need another tank like a hole in the head! It will be home to a pair of killie fish and a half moon betta. I think they will like the subdued lighting and will throw in some low light plants.

Just for your info - I have approximately 90 crystal red shrimp in my shrimp only tank - 90% A grade - 10% B for sale at $5 each. I started this colony 16 months ago and they breed like crazy. Can provide photos if requested.

Thanks for the info. I personally buy most of my stuff online. I'll support the local stores if they can be competitive but often the selection and variety of fish related items is poor.

Yes that is my main reason for the RO unit. Thanks for the suggestions.

Your tank is going to look great. Great piece of wood to work with. A pair of apistogrammas would love that tank.

I think I bought pool filter sand that I really liked from Oasis Pool in Calgary. They were close to Chinook Centre.

I'm up to 12 after my recent shopping trip in Toronto. 12 tanks ranging from 90 gal to 10 gal. I hope this is it because I will have to start lying to my friends soon when they ask me!

I'm considering purchasing an RO system to reduce the hardness of my water in some of my tanks. I have never used a system in the past and know very little about them. Can anyone recommend a system? I've heard EBAY is a good place to get a deal. How about this one? http://cgi.ebay.ca/5-STAGE-50-GPD-REVERSE-OSMOSIS-DRINKING-WATER-SYSTEM-RO_W0QQitemZ330423481858QQcmdZViewItemQQptZSmall_Kitchen_Appliances_US?hash=item4ceec63602

Thanks for any comments or suggestions.

Can I ask where you purchased them from? I have one male and would like to get a few more.

Nice fish - I agree! So much so that I purchased the bottom two fish shown in the photos! Thanks Ray.

How can you tell if messages you have sent to members have been read - some people have indicated recently that messages I have sent have not been rec'd??

I picked up a very nice pair of these peacocks at the auction which I would like to try and breed. The male is showing lots of colour but is only about 2.5 - 3" in length. I suspect they are of breeding age.

I need some advice on what would be the best size of tank to keep them in for breeding. Will the adults eat the fry if they are not removed from the tank? Will it be too stressful on the female being that I just have one? From what I've read so far, it would be better to have more females but I'm not sure that I will be able to find some.

Could I put some buffaloheads in with them or should I just leave the pair in the tank?

That is correct. More info can be found on the website I believe.

Anyone on here have success raising the young snails. I see several very small baby snails in one of my tanks. Not sure what the babies would eat as it would seem they are too small to eat other snails??

I would suggest spending some time reading through the reference material on this site - it is the best site for discus keepers - http://forum.simplydiscus.com/

Wondering if anyone could ID this. Over the last couple of days I have noticed very small white coloured round living beings in my shrimp tank. They are mostly on the glass but I can also see them on the substrate moving around. The tank is not over-run with them but I have not noticed them before. I looked at some images of hydra but I can see no tentacles and they are white not transparent. A few months ago, I actually had a couple of dragonflies hatch out of this tank!! A little concerned that if they are harmful or multiply quickly they may eat my crystal red shrimplets!!

Rainbowfish do not pair up and they are best kept in a school. A pearl or snakeskin gourami might be nice.

Unfortunately when using antibotics, you need to treat for at least 5 days. 3 days is likely not going to cut it. I would finish what you have, do a large water change and then treat with melafix.

They will be moving into their new location but not until December. They have renovations and set up work to do over the next several weeks.

Calgary tap water is ideal for these fish. I have not lost a tropheus in 20 months. One large weekly water change is all I do. I'd be more concerned about your tank dimensions. 36" long is a bit short for 40 tropheus. You would be better with at least a length of 48". Pool filter sand is much cleaner and does not require as much rinsing as play sand but both work fine. I use large pieces of holey rock and some smooth rocks rather than slate.

PS if you are unable to acquire the species you mention, I have duboisi for sale!!