My planted Discus tank

[LizStreithorst]

I took the plunge a few weeks ago.  I wanted something pretty and eye catching in my fish room.  This is the middle tank of my 3 100's on the top rack and in front of the sofa.  It goes against all the expert advice on Simply but I told them that although I know what's right, what I want rules.

[Mugwump]

... beautiful, Liz.....great job..

[LizStreithorst]

The big driftwood was a gift from a fish friend in Florida.  It's so large that she had to make a box big enough to fit it in.  Now that's a friend!  All the plants except a little Rosette Sword that's out of the frame I propagated from plants that were mostly given to me.  I've been very lucky with having good fish friends.

[Mugwump]

The big driftwood was a gift from a fish friend in Florida.  It's so large that she had to make a box big enough to fit it in.  Now that's a friend!  All the plants except a little Rosette Sword that's out of the frame I propagated from plants that were mostly given to me.  I've been very lucky with having good fish friends.

..Yes, 'fish people' are good people..

[Barb]

It is beautiful Liz!

[Ron Sower]

Really nice, Liz!...

[LizStreithorst]

Thanks folks.

[wsantia1]

Great looking tank Liz.

[waterboy]

I agree, looks great. Love the Discus too but they wouldn't last very long in my water.

[Mugwump]

..needs more cow bell...?

[BillT]

..needs more cow bell...?

It would not be good for the fish if it had any copper in it.

[LizStreithorst]

What's up with your water, Dale?  Discus are not as particular about water as much is folks think.  People fail because they don't understand how much WC is required for Discus.  When their fish get sick and die they blame it on the wrong thing.

[waterboy]

What's up with your water, Dale?  Discus are not as particular about water as much is folks think.  People fail because they don't understand how much WC is required for Discus.  When their fish get sick and die they blame it on the wrong thing.

The PH is 8.4 and it is loaded with iron and lime.  Basically what people call liquid rock. Fish I raise do OK in it but fish I get elsewhere have a hard time acclimating. Can't keep any "soft water" fish. Rams and Apistos especially. I wouldn't even think about trying Discus. And I am too cheap to get an RO setup.

[LizStreithorst]

The iron is the biggest problem.  I had iron in my well water once before we got community water.  It turned my white laundry yellow-brown it was so bad.  Is your iron that bad?  I honestly don't know how many PPM of iron Discus can handle, but I could find out if you like.  The biggest thing wrong with your pH is that ammonia is more toxic at higher pH.  You would have to do daily WC of around 30% for adults depending on the stocking level.

[waterboy]

The iron is the biggest problem.  I had iron in my well water once before we got community water.  It turned my white laundry yellow-brown it was so bad.  Is your iron that bad?  I honestly don't know how many PPM of iron Discus can handle, but I could find out if you like.  The biggest thing wrong with your pH is that ammonia is more toxic at higher pH.  You would have to do daily WC of around 30% for adults depending on the stocking level.

It is worse than that. Everything that is supposed to ne white is brown, Toilets, shower etc.  If I fill a new tank with water it is cloudy for a day and then there is a layer of iron on the bottom. I put fresh water in a bucket for fry water changes and the inside of the bucket has iron so thick that it flakes off in big chunks. I am on a well and septic system and already have had septic problems once so I am not about to get an RO unit with all the waste water they produce.