Planted Discus Tank - 470 ltr.

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Most popular comments
for Planted Discus Tank - 470 ltr.

Live comments
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Bob Saget - 6 years ago

Beautiful tank just need that background filled in with something... takes away from it

Chandan M N - 7 years ago

Snow leapords are like wowwww

Martin F. - 7 years ago

My favourites too!

sameer. sheikh - 7 years ago

hello sir my name is muhammad sameer sheikh from India

sameer. sheikh - 7 years ago

I like the color full fish

sameer. sheikh - 7 years ago

plants is very important

sameer. sheikh - 7 years ago

it's really to good tank very nice beautiful

Martin F. - 7 years ago

thank you.

William Mc Donald - 7 years ago

Wow, beautiful.

Martin F. - 7 years ago

Thank you William

Danial Ghofrani - 7 years ago

nice video. what is the temperature?

Martin F. - 7 years ago

Hi Danial, the temperature is 29c, as the Discus need the higher temperature.

Joricano - 8 years ago

nice tank

Martin F. - 8 years ago

+Joricano -- Thank you.

10. comment for Planted Discus Tank - 470 ltr.

Lawrence John Yap - 8 years ago

Very beautiful. =) That is just... heaven

Martin F. - 8 years ago

+Lawrence John Yap

Thanks very much Lawrence.

Victoria Obricki - 8 years ago

Amazing tank and beatiful discus!!!

Martin F. - 8 years ago

+Victoria Obrycki
Thank you Victoria.

Chathura Wijewardana - 8 years ago

very beautiful

Watch it - 8 years ago

Your tank and fish are majestic. Subbed and liked. Later man.

Martin F. - 8 years ago

+Watch it - Thank you.

Simon Carr - 8 years ago

Hi Martin. Given your parameters, what plants do you find grow best? Do you think this system could work on a drip feed if EI salts were added throughout the day with a dosing pump? Amazing tank. Being Algae free and feeding BH takes some serious aquatic skill. You seem to have it beautifully in balance.

Martin F. - 8 years ago

+Simon Carr
Hi Simon I have answered part of your question on Facebook but didn't comment on on the idea of using a dosing pump. It would indeed work absolutely fine and I know of one or two that are just about to go down that road to give it a try. Personally, I mix the salts into 500cc bottles then dose daily, macro one day then micro the next and so on for 5 days, its a manual version of the auto dosing system. Its my own home brew mix based loosely on the standard EI mix but just fine tuned to suit the water quality where I live, its very hard but nitrate free, so I mix the salts to redress that. As for serious aquatic skills, I couldn't possibly comment, but I have been keeping fish for 60 years! Have you seen the seahorses I'm breeding?

karanshortusdisplay - 9 years ago

wonderful tank indeed.............pls mention the bubble count per sec and the lighting arrangement....cant keep ma eyes off ur tank...just gr8!!!!!!!!!!!!

Martin F. - 9 years ago

Yes I'm on Facebook and belong to a couple of Discus groups and I also run a Seahorse group - another passion! Search for 'Seahorse Help and Advice' or go here https://www.facebook.com/martin.fletcher.5

karanshortusdisplay - 9 years ago

ohh......u r too modest....my tank is nothing in front of urs...btw....will post some of my latest soon...may I know if u r on facebook...???

Martin F. - 9 years ago

Yes, its possible. I make my own mix up from dry salts and providing the mixing water has a PH of below 6 (achieved with a little Ascorbic Acid) then the Trace salts (can be also included in the mix. You finish up with an All in One, very similar to the 'TNC Complete' product. My own mix is based on this but better matched to our very hard water and the potassium nitrate and phosphate is better balanced. By adding daily its very much the same as EI dosing, I too miss Sundays and then do the water change on Mondays. But I've just looked at your tank and thats really nice, I can see a plant in the background pearling, I love to see that!

karanshortusdisplay - 9 years ago

ohh really............is it possible???...as I dose (EI) NPK three alternative days and Trace in between days...sunday rest...and monday 50% water change... btw...am very impressed with ur co2 dosing 3 bbl/sec in a Discus tank.... while the Discus are quite happy with it...

Martin F. - 9 years ago

+karanshortusdisplay
I'm adding ferts daily so I do one water change weekly, of at least 50% sometimes I'll do 75%. To do it more frequently, as some Discus keepers do, would strip out all the nutrients I'm putting in for the plants. I use a 'home brew' mix of ferts and add about 50ml of it daily. It's an 'All in One' mix that contains both macro and micro ferts.

karanshortusdisplay - 9 years ago

ohh.....thats gr8!!!!!!!!! what about the water change per week....????

Martin F. - 9 years ago

Thank you, the bubble counter is running at about 3 bubbles per second. The lighting is 2x 80w T5 tubes, one is a Daylight tube of about 6500k and the other is a blue tube. The lights are on for 10 hours a day.

MrTmac0626 - 9 years ago

So do you mix the sand with the plant subtrate ?or put the silica sand on the top?

Martin F. - 9 years ago

No Mate, put a layer of the plant substrate down first, but no more than 1 inch (25mm) deep, and then about 1.5 inch (40mm) on top of the plant substrate. The sand holds it down and in place. When you fill the tank lay a dish on the sand and direct the flow of water into the dish so it slowly overflows. The idea is to ensure you dont disturb the sand too much at this stage. When planting the tank, push the roots well down through the sand into the plant substrate.

MrTmac0626 - 9 years ago

So how many bags of plant subtrate did you use and how many silica sand bags?

Martin F. - 9 years ago

Hello Mate, I used one 5kg tub of of the Tetra Plant Complete, and I bought two 25kg bags of the Silica sand. The tank is 470ltr, 5ft long. Although I bought two bags of sand I only used about 1.5 bags.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tetra-Plant-Complete-Substrate-5kg-Aquarium-Fish-Tank-Soil-Fertiliser-/371200414369?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item566d44d2a1

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200643190522?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

MrTmac0626 - 9 years ago

Where can I buy silica sand

Martin F. - 9 years ago

Hello again, this the one I always use for my planted tanks, but basically its a natural river sand. Swimming pool filter sand is also silica sand and can be used safely. Don't be tempted to buy cheaper 'childrens play sand' though, because it compacts and traps gasses which pollutes the water. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AQUARIUM-SILICA-SAND-25KG-TROPICAL-FRESHWATER-FISH-TANK-SUBSTRATE-/201226900300?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item2eda0ed34c

MrTmac0626 - 9 years ago

Trying to start a discus tank what kind of substrate are you using?

Martin F. - 9 years ago

Hello MrTmac0626, The substrate I use is 'Tetra Complete Plant Substrate' with a cap of natural silca sand on top of it. Hope that helps, good luck with your project.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tetra-Plant-Complete-Substrate-Aquarium-Fish-Tank-Soil-Fertiliser-/371186953190?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&var=&hash=item566c776be6

20. comment for Planted Discus Tank - 470 ltr.

A Solo - 9 years ago

I love your fish they are so colorful. Beautiful setup..

JKD CARNAGE - 9 years ago

WOW!!!!! I always wanted a discus tank and am very envious of this setup! I am limited on the size of tank and am looking at taking the plunge to invest in one. I am looking at a tank with low maintenance BUT obviously the welfare of the fish come first. I am looking at a 2.5 ft tank and am open to suggestions on possible tank manufacturers.... Help and guidance welcome.

David

Tropictank - 9 years ago

Huge and beautiful tank! Discus fishes and plants look very healthy, great job Martin :) subscribed and liked.

Pavol Kulanda - 9 years ago

absolutely amazing tank Martin. Plants, fish, water clarity, overall balance is amazing. I am planning the very same size of tank at the minute for my discus. I want it to be planted, but my tank comes with 4 x 36W T8 tubes. What lighting are you using on this tank and what kind of substrate do you use under your sand, if any? Great job

girldevon - 9 years ago

love it! :)

Francisco Villeda - 9 years ago

Preciosos!

sunkhiu bong - 9 years ago

Cantik cantik ikannya

Jerry Thomas - 9 years ago

Great aquarium...can u gv me ur email..i need ur advice in growing fresh water plants and discus..Can u tell me the names of discus.

wtf79779 - 9 years ago

great great great men is some kind of art the plants beauty and fishis toooo

Aarons Aquarium - 10 years ago

Wow great tank. Check out my 650 litre planted Discus tank. I'm trying to put the rumour to bed that you can't grow out Discus in a planted tank. I believe you can and still have a lush planted tank.

Martin F. - 9 years ago

Great tank! I'm not convinced about growing out young fish in a nicely planted tank because of the frequent (daily) water changes required to prevent stunted growth. The water changes will strip the nutrients out the water that the plants need, such as Co2 and nitrate - however I'd be very interested to see how you get on with it. be sure to pop back in and let me know. Martin.

30. comment for Planted Discus Tank - 470 ltr.

Martin F. - 10 years ago

Hi PlantedMN, Thank you. I dont think you could grow out young fish in a planted tank because of the constant water changes which would not suit the plants as they need a steady supply of nutrients such as nitrate, which would be lost with regular water changes. I have not bred any Discus so therefore not had to grow an on. I think bare bottom would almost certainly be best for that.

Tom's Fish Tanks - 10 years ago

Very beautiful tank and fish. Have you ever successfully grown discus out in a planted tank? Many claim that bare bottom is the only way to grow discus out. Just curious what your thoughts are on this.

Simon Carr - 10 years ago

Your discus tank is beautiful. Just setting up something similar myself. Can I ask about your C02 and fert dose? How long and at what level does your c02 run for? what ferts do you use? Any algae problems?

Simon Carr - 10 years ago

+Martin F.
Hi Martin. Where are you in the UK? I'm using HMA as well. Pretty hard in Essex, 12DH. I'm still cycling the tank. It's a bit of a test, to be honest, I just can't see how you can have a planted tank, heavily stocked with discus and keep it algae free....you're doing an amazing job with that aquarium. I'll make a short video of mine to explain what i'm up to.

Martin F. - 10 years ago

+Simon Carr Hi Simon, No I'm not using soft water, just the opposite in fact it's very hard, probably the hardest in the UK! I do run it from the tap through an HMA filter to remove chlorine and heavy metals etc but that does not alter the hardness. How you going with yours, is it up and running yet?

Simon Carr - 10 years ago

Are you using soft water?

Martin F. - 10 years ago

Hi Simon, The Co2 is run from a 2kg fire extinguisher at about 3 bubbles per second which gives me a lime green colour on the dropchecker, thats approx 30ppm dissolved into the water. The diffuser is an inline atomiser thats fits in the hose from the external filter. The ferts are an 'All in One' by TNC, its a one dose weekly shot but I give a half dose every other day so the tank does get more but its spread throughout the week. The Co2 is running for about 10 hours and the lights are also on for 10 hours. The Co2 comes on an hour before the lights and goes off an hour before the lights go off. With the lights I have I have a 'watts per gallon' of around 1.7. My light unit has 4x 80w tubes but the WPG was way too high so now I only use two of them. I had a few minor algae issues when the tank was first set up and planted over a year ago but all the algae disappeared after about 4 weeks, there isn't a trace of it anywhere in the tank now. Hope that helps, good luck with yours.

Martin F. - 10 years ago

Thanks for those kind words Pete.

harley pete - 10 years ago

hi Martin F. i just love this tank its so peacefull & relaxing to watch,fantastic

Martin F. - 10 years ago

Hello 68love2dance, the temperature is 29c.

Fila Valdes - 10 years ago

what is the water Temperature on your tank ?????

Martin F. - 10 years ago

Thanks elvisaquarium, your planted tank looks amazing too!

Martin F. - 10 years ago

Thank you Akvarie, some interesting videos on your channel!

elvisaquarium - 10 years ago

Amazing!!! Really beautiful!

Akvarie Planten - 10 years ago

Nice tank! Please check my Channel! :)

Martin F. - 10 years ago

Fabio, Thank you.

Fabio Feitosa Moreira - 10 years ago

Hi!
I´m from Brazil and love aqua fish discs... Wonderful aqua with espetacular... Congratulation...

Martin F. - 10 years ago

Hello Tanveer, The aquarium is 5ft x 2ft x 2ft (152 cms x 61cms x 61cm) and it is 10mm glass.

Monkey Man - 10 years ago

Dear Sir,What is the size and thickness of the glass of your aquarium

Monkey Man - 10 years ago

Very Nice tank

AndrePeppers - 10 years ago

Very Nice!!

Martin F. - 10 years ago

Hi Mate, The music is 'Morning' by Grieg.

Kieron Young - 10 years ago

hiya marf what music is this ?

Martin F. - 10 years ago

Tushar Rane - With my Discus I have Rummey Nose Tetras, Cardinal Tetras, 2x Angel Fish and a pair of Holland Rams.

50. comment for Planted Discus Tank - 470 ltr.

Tushar Rane - 10 years ago

which fish keep with the discus fish?????????????

Martin F. - 10 years ago

Thanks very much BM Aquatics, just looked at yours and yours are looking good too!

Aquascaping the World by BM - 10 years ago

Your plants and fish are very beautiful. Nice and healthy. good job.

Martin F. - 10 years ago

Thanks Zaidi

Zaidi zain - 10 years ago

Nice tank.. awesome

Martin F. - 10 years ago

Hi BeautifulHazelEyes Acosta, the lighting is 2x 80watt T5 tubes. One is 10000K Daylight and the other one is a Blue Actinic more often used for marine tanks. The lights are on for 10 hours a day.

Martin F. - 10 years ago

Hi Roberto Saveri - I change 50% of the water once a week, that is about 230 litres. I add fertiliser two times a week. I also have Co2. There is no algae in the tank, none at all. I have 12 large adult Discus.

Roberto Saveri - 10 years ago

Congratulations for your aquarium, it is spectacular! I ask that you do maintenance for many pints of algae with many discus? how much water changes a week? fertilize? sorry for my bad english

BeautifulHazelEyes Acosta - 10 years ago

Beautiful!!!! What lighting do you use???

Martin F. - 10 years ago

Thanks Iaian

Iaian Houghton - 10 years ago

Stunning tank..a great contrast of colour and variety..could sit and watch this all day Martin

Martin F. - 10 years ago

Thanks Diane.

DIANE Smith - 10 years ago

Gorgeous Martin, love the video.

Martin F. - 10 years ago

Thanks David, Dale and dwsdarius - appreciate your comments.

David V - 10 years ago

Discus collection is amazing and plants look great!! Congrats man

Martin F. - 10 years ago

Dale Thomas - never need to clean it, there's an army of Cory in the clearing up any unrated food. When I feed the discus if any reach the bottom I stop putting it in. Never needed to clean up yet.