Hello Everyone,
I'm building my dream setup - a massive 500 Gallon in-wall tank, viewable from both sides. I've got some work-in-progress pics and the full setup design below. This tank won't have live plants; just white sand substrate, rocks, and driftwood.
I've kept African Cichlids before in my old, smaller tank. This is my first time with a large setup. I've always wanted to keep Discus, but I was warned about how complicated and sensitive they are.
Now, with this new setup, I really want to make it a Discus Tank. I'd love to hear your feedback on the setup and what I need to know/do to keep these amazing fish.
500 Gallon project, Dreaming of keeping Discus but afraid!
Re: 500 Gallon project, Dreaming of keeping Discus but afraid!
Re: 500 Gallon project, Dreaming of keeping Discus but afraid!
Wow, I'm seriously impressed by the sheer scale of your tank. The planned aquascape looks amazing, I'm loving the design. Could you tell me a bit more about your sump setup - what's the capacity and how much water can you store underneath the tank? I'm not an expert by any means, just genuinely curious.
Wow, I'm seriously impressed by the sheer scale of your tank. The planned aquascape looks amazing, I'm loving the design. Could you tell me a bit more about your sump setup - what's the capacity and how much water can you store underneath the tank? I'm not an expert by any means, just genuinely curious.
Re: 500 Gallon project, Dreaming of keeping Discus but afraid!
Re: 500 Gallon project, Dreaming of keeping Discus but afraid!
Your project looks fantastic, I'm excited to see how it progresses. Keep us posted on the updates.
I came across a thread that might interest you, it's about a similar project - a 300-gallon build. You can find it here: http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showth...0-gallon-build
Tobi is someone who'd be more than happy to answer any questions you might have, I'm sure.
Your project looks fantastic, I'm excited to see how it progresses. Keep us posted on the updates.
I came across a thread that might interest you, it's about a similar project - a 300-gallon build. You can find it here: http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showth...0-gallon-build
Tobi is someone who'd be more than happy to answer any questions you might have, I'm sure.
Re: 500 Gallon project, Dreaming of keeping Discus but afraid!
Re: 500 Gallon project, Dreaming of keeping Discus but afraid!
I really like the direction you're heading with the aquascape - plenty of open space for the Discus to roam, and some nice hiding spots to reduce stress. A couple of things caught my eye, though. Having set up a few large systems myself, I've learned that easy maintenance access is crucial. From your pics, it looks like the space between the sump and display is pretty tight - you might want to consider that for future cleaning and maintenance. Can you easily get to all areas of the sump, too, especially between the baffles? Being able to get a siphon to all areas is key for removing detritus. One more thing - water storage. If that chamber on the right is for top-offs, that's cool, but if it's for water changes, you'll likely need something much larger. I'm doing 110-gallon changes on my 400-gallon system, and I'm thinking of increasing that. Looking forward to seeing how your project comes along!
I really like the direction you're heading with the aquascape - plenty of open space for the Discus to roam, and some nice hiding spots to reduce stress. A couple of things caught my eye, though. Having set up a few large systems myself, I've learned that easy maintenance access is crucial. From your pics, it looks like the space between the sump and display is pretty tight - you might want to consider that for future cleaning and maintenance. Can you easily get to all areas of the sump, too, especially between the baffles? Being able to get a siphon to all areas is key for removing detritus. One more thing - water storage. If that chamber on the right is for top-offs, that's cool, but if it's for water changes, you'll likely need something much larger. I'm doing 110-gallon changes on my 400-gallon system, and I'm thinking of increasing that. Looking forward to seeing how your project comes along!
Re: 500 Gallon project, Dreaming of keeping Discus but afraid!
Re: 500 Gallon project, Dreaming of keeping Discus but afraid!
Thanks for the interest and feedback, everyone. I appreciate the suggestions and concerns. To answer a few questions, my sump is 47 inches long, 19 inches wide, and 19 inches tall. As for water storage, I have a 55-gallon tank set aside for that purpose.
Thanks for the interest and feedback, everyone. I appreciate the suggestions and concerns. To answer a few questions, my sump is 47 inches long, 19 inches wide, and 19 inches tall. As for water storage, I have a 55-gallon tank set aside for that purpose.
Re: 500 Gallon project, Dreaming of keeping Discus but afraid!
Re: 500 Gallon project, Dreaming of keeping Discus but afraid!
Originally posted by Coastal
I like the scape you are going with, it leaves plenty of open space for them, yet gives escapes in case of any chasing that may occur. I do have a couple of concerns and suggestions. Having set up several large systems both fresh and saltwater, having easy access for maintenance is a huge key to success. From the picture you posted it looks like a very small space between the top of the sump and bottom of the display. Having space to work to clean without hitting your head will help make life easier down the road. Also is there enough room between the baffles in your sump to be able to clean? Getting a sipLion to all areas to remove detritus is a must. One other thing is water storage, if the chamber on the right side is for top off from evaporation cool, if it’s for water change you will definitely need something much larger. I am currently doing 110 gal changes on my 400 gal system and am considering on increasing that. Looking forward to seeing your progress!
I appreciate your input, but unfortunately, space is limited and I'll have to make do with what I have. I can fit a sipLion and maintain the sump, although it's a bit tight. The 55-gallon chamber will serve both as an auto top-off and water change reservoir. Given its size, I'm planning to do daily or every-other-day 10% water changes. I'm not sure if this will be sufficient for Discus, but I'll have to see how it goes. If not, I might need to consider other fish.
Originally posted by Coastal
I like the scape you are going with, it leaves plenty of open space for them, yet gives escapes in case of any chasing that may occur. I do have a couple of concerns and suggestions. Having set up several large systems both fresh and saltwater, having easy access for maintenance is a huge key to success. From the picture you posted it looks like a very small space between the top of the sump and bottom of the display. Having space to work to clean without hitting your head will help make life easier down the road. Also is there enough room between the baffles in your sump to be able to clean? Getting a sipLion to all areas to remove detritus is a must. One other thing is water storage, if the chamber on the right side is for top off from evaporation cool, if it’s for water change you will definitely need something much larger. I am currently doing 110 gal changes on my 400 gal system and am considering on increasing that. Looking forward to seeing your progress!
I appreciate your input, but unfortunately, space is limited and I'll have to make do with what I have. I can fit a sipLion and maintain the sump, although it's a bit tight. The 55-gallon chamber will serve both as an auto top-off and water change reservoir. Given its size, I'm planning to do daily or every-other-day 10% water changes. I'm not sure if this will be sufficient for Discus, but I'll have to see how it goes. If not, I might need to consider other fish.
Re: 500 Gallon project, Dreaming of keeping Discus but afraid!
Re: 500 Gallon project, Dreaming of keeping Discus but afraid!
Originally posted by Jumper
Very nice project and goals you have going on! Please keep us updated as you proceed!!!
You might find this thread to be of interest. It's a similar project... http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showth...0-gallon-build
I'm sure Tobi would be happy to answer any questions you may have...
Brian
Thanks for the support and the link, I will definitely check it out and keep you updated on my progress.
Originally posted by Jumper
Very nice project and goals you have going on! Please keep us updated as you proceed!!!
You might find this thread to be of interest. It's a similar project... http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showth...0-gallon-build
I'm sure Tobi would be happy to answer any questions you may have...
Brian
Thanks for the support and the link, I will definitely check it out and keep you updated on my progress.
Re: 500 Gallon project, Dreaming of keeping Discus but afraid!
Re: 500 Gallon project, Dreaming of keeping Discus but afraid!
So my main concern with this setup, given the limited space I have below the tank, is whether it's suitable for keeping Discus. I've never kept them before, but I do have experience with African Cichlids, which I know will thrive in this system. However, I've been told that Discus are more delicate and require more specific care. Will this setup be enough to meet their needs, or should I reconsider and stick with a species I'm more familiar with?
So my main concern with this setup, given the limited space I have below the tank, is whether it's suitable for keeping Discus. I've never kept them before, but I do have experience with African Cichlids, which I know will thrive in this system. However, I've been told that Discus are more delicate and require more specific care. Will this setup be enough to meet their needs, or should I reconsider and stick with a species I'm more familiar with?
Re: 500 Gallon project, Dreaming of keeping Discus but afraid!
Re: 500 Gallon project, Dreaming of keeping Discus but afraid!
Hi Maged, welcome to the forum. That's one heck of a tank you're setting up. The size is impressive and your planning seems solid too. Is the scape with rocks in the photo your planned design?
I think it's doable to keep discus with a light bioload - 15-20 full-grown discus and a school of 100 dither fish should work. However, you'll need to figure out how to keep the bottom clean of debris, food, and waste with your stone structure.
I wish there was a bigger aging tank, at least double the size. But if you don't have a big pH swing in your tap water, you might still be able to do 50% water changes if needed.
Good luck, and please keep us updated on your progress.
Hi Maged, welcome to the forum. That's one heck of a tank you're setting up. The size is impressive and your planning seems solid too. Is the scape with rocks in the photo your planned design?
I think it's doable to keep discus with a light bioload - 15-20 full-grown discus and a school of 100 dither fish should work. However, you'll need to figure out how to keep the bottom clean of debris, food, and waste with your stone structure.
I wish there was a bigger aging tank, at least double the size. But if you don't have a big pH swing in your tap water, you might still be able to do 50% water changes if needed.
Good luck, and please keep us updated on your progress.
Re: 500 Gallon project, Dreaming of keeping Discus but afraid!
Thanks a lot, Lippyton. The scape in the photo is just a sample, I used it to explain my plan for a white sand substrate with rocks and driftwood only, no live plants. My actual planned scape will be simpler.
I've always planned for a light bio-load, I prefer it that way, it looks much better to me. I was thinking of keeping a max of 20 fully grown or semi-fully grown Discus, maybe even less. I wasn't planning to have any schooling fish, just a few service fish like Placos or Red Tail Sharks, so a total of around 25 fish in the tank.
I wish I had more space for a larger aging tank, but it's just not possible. I might try to fit two large barrels in my laundry room and use them for aging water for water changes, and then use a long hose with a pump to get the water to the tank.
I've always planned for a light bio-load, I prefer it that way, it looks much better to me. I was thinking of keeping a max of 20 fully grown or semi-fully grown Discus, maybe even less. I wasn't planning to have any schooling fish, just a few service fish like Placos or Red Tail Sharks, so a total of around 25 fish in the tank.
I wish I had more space for a larger aging tank, but it's just not possible. I might try to fit two large barrels in my laundry room and use them for aging water for water changes, and then use a long hose with a pump to get the water to the tank.