High Tech Co2 fully Planted setups?
High Tech Co2 fully Planted setups?
I'm curious if anyone's had success with high-light, high CO2 demanding plants and a school of adult discus. It's rare to see this setup, I know it's tough to keep demanding plants in warm water, which discus require. Has anyone got a heavily planted tank with discus? I'd love to scale up what I've built in my 15-gallon and add some discus. Those two pics are 5 weeks apart, by the way.
Re: High Tech Co2 fully Planted setups?
Re: High Tech Co2 fully Planted setups?
It might not be easy, but it's definitely doable. I've come across several threads discussing the challenges of maintaining a high-tech CO2 setup with discus. There's a wealth of information out there, and I found this particular link to be quite helpful: https://www.plantedtank.net/search/3449 ... =relevance. It's got plenty of advice on dosing CO2 in a discus tank.
It might not be easy, but it's definitely doable. I've come across several threads discussing the challenges of maintaining a high-tech CO2 setup with discus. There's a wealth of information out there, and I found this particular link to be quite helpful: https://www.plantedtank.net/search/3449 ... =relevance. It's got plenty of advice on dosing CO2 in a discus tank.
Re: High Tech Co2 fully Planted setups?
Re: High Tech Co2 fully Planted setups?
My experience with planted discus tanks has been with lean CO2 levels and a focus on hardy, adaptable plants such as Amazon Swords, Val, and Crypts. I've also had success with various carpet plants that can thrive in warmer water. For me, it's essential to prioritize the discus' needs over creating a showpiece aquascape. The stem plants in the example tank might be challenging for discus to navigate, which is why I believe biotype tanks are a better fit for these fish. In my opinion, a more natural environment with plenty of swimming space is more suitable for discus.
My experience with planted discus tanks has been with lean CO2 levels and a focus on hardy, adaptable plants such as Amazon Swords, Val, and Crypts. I've also had success with various carpet plants that can thrive in warmer water. For me, it's essential to prioritize the discus' needs over creating a showpiece aquascape. The stem plants in the example tank might be challenging for discus to navigate, which is why I believe biotype tanks are a better fit for these fish. In my opinion, a more natural environment with plenty of swimming space is more suitable for discus.
Re: High Tech Co2 fully Planted setups?
Re: High Tech Co2 fully Planted setups?
Thanks, I concur with your perspective.
Thanks, I concur with your perspective.
Re: High Tech Co2 fully Planted setups?
Originally posted by Bolden
All of my tanks are planted and high energy. I run lean CO2 in my discus tanks with plants like Amazon Swords, Val, Crypts, and various carpet plants. I would not want to put Discus into an aquascaped tank that is focused on the plants and not the discus. The stem plants in the tanks posted are not ones that discus can easily swim through. I think that planted aquariums for discus should be more biotype tanks rather than aquascape tanks. IMHO, YMMV.
Same here. For me, a healthy discus comes first. Plants are just an addition to the setup. I've found that running half the recommended CO2 dose does the trick - the plants grow, and the discus have enough oxygen.
All of my tanks are planted and high energy. I run lean CO2 in my discus tanks with plants like Amazon Swords, Val, Crypts, and various carpet plants. I would not want to put Discus into an aquascaped tank that is focused on the plants and not the discus. The stem plants in the tanks posted are not ones that discus can easily swim through. I think that planted aquariums for discus should be more biotype tanks rather than aquascape tanks. IMHO, YMMV.
Same here. For me, a healthy discus comes first. Plants are just an addition to the setup. I've found that running half the recommended CO2 dose does the trick - the plants grow, and the discus have enough oxygen.
Re: High Tech Co2 fully Planted setups?
Re: High Tech Co2 fully Planted setups?
Hi Greg,
I had success with a similar setup 15 years back. My tank was at 78 degrees, pH 6.0, with CO2 injection and 4 - 52W HO T5 bulbs. I used 50/50 RO to tap water and did 15-20% water changes weekly. NO3 was around 5 or unmeasurable. The tank was heavily stocked and planted with a mix of slow-growing Anubias and Java Fern, and fast-growing stem plants. Those fast growers did all the work. After major pruning, I'd notice a drop in water quality until they recovered.
I fed heavily, but this led to Black beard algae on the Anubias and Java Fern. The discus, however, were stunning.
I tried to recreate this in a larger system two years ago but failed. The CO2 levels got too high in one tank, and the discus suffered. A school of 7 Hemiodus argentus also outcompeted my discus for food.
I'm now planning a new system with a 125 biotope plumbed to a 125 sump/refugium with high-output plants. I currently have 8 Uatuma Blues from Snookn21 in a planted 75 without CO2.
I believe this CO2 technique can provide the best water quality with minimal maintenance, but it's not easy. I've learned from my mistakes.
Thanks to everyone who has shared their knowledge here. And a huge thank you to John at Snookn21 - you're a discus legend.
Hi Greg,
I had success with a similar setup 15 years back. My tank was at 78 degrees, pH 6.0, with CO2 injection and 4 - 52W HO T5 bulbs. I used 50/50 RO to tap water and did 15-20% water changes weekly. NO3 was around 5 or unmeasurable. The tank was heavily stocked and planted with a mix of slow-growing Anubias and Java Fern, and fast-growing stem plants. Those fast growers did all the work. After major pruning, I'd notice a drop in water quality until they recovered.
I fed heavily, but this led to Black beard algae on the Anubias and Java Fern. The discus, however, were stunning.
I tried to recreate this in a larger system two years ago but failed. The CO2 levels got too high in one tank, and the discus suffered. A school of 7 Hemiodus argentus also outcompeted my discus for food.
I'm now planning a new system with a 125 biotope plumbed to a 125 sump/refugium with high-output plants. I currently have 8 Uatuma Blues from Snookn21 in a planted 75 without CO2.
I believe this CO2 technique can provide the best water quality with minimal maintenance, but it's not easy. I've learned from my mistakes.
Thanks to everyone who has shared their knowledge here. And a huge thank you to John at Snookn21 - you're a discus legend.
Re: High Tech Co2 fully Planted setups?
Re: High Tech Co2 fully Planted setups?
I experimented with a high-tech, CO2-driven planted tank housing discus a while back. The plants thrived, but the discus only managed to do alright. It's crucial to understand that during the day, when the lights are on, plants utilize CO2. However, at night, those fast-growing stem plants consume oxygen from the water column for respiration. This can cause oxygen levels to plummet, and if you have a large number of discus, there might not be enough oxygen to go around. I learned this lesson the hard way when I woke up one morning to find all my discus struggling for air at the surface. From then on, I made it a point to run an air stone at night when the lights were off.
In my opinion, it's best to either have a high-tech planted tank with CO2 and dither fish like tetras or opt for a low-tech non-CO2 planted tank for keeping discus. Trust me, your life will be much simpler that way.
I experimented with a high-tech, CO2-driven planted tank housing discus a while back. The plants thrived, but the discus only managed to do alright. It's crucial to understand that during the day, when the lights are on, plants utilize CO2. However, at night, those fast-growing stem plants consume oxygen from the water column for respiration. This can cause oxygen levels to plummet, and if you have a large number of discus, there might not be enough oxygen to go around. I learned this lesson the hard way when I woke up one morning to find all my discus struggling for air at the surface. From then on, I made it a point to run an air stone at night when the lights were off.
In my opinion, it's best to either have a high-tech planted tank with CO2 and dither fish like tetras or opt for a low-tech non-CO2 planted tank for keeping discus. Trust me, your life will be much simpler that way.