Plant Tank Set-up -- Any Suggestions?
- Thread starter DTs
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During a recent Google binge when I was looking into substrate heating, someone mentioned that they used slabs of styrofoam on the bottom of their tank, and it helped a lot with keeping heat in.
That's the outside of the tank btw.
I guess not all stands will let you do that, but it is worth checking out. It's certainly cheap enough to try if your stand permits it.
My stand has a solid plywood bottom with maple veneer so it would easily accommodate a foam bottom, BUT... I'd have to tear the whole thing apart to do it and that definitely is not a consideration.
Plus, my tank has an open top, so I'm going to loose a good bit of heat regardless. That's something I'll just have to accept. At least the metal halide lamp heats the water up a bit, and in the summer, I won't have any problems keeping my tank and 80 degrees.
Using an acrylic tank helps keep heat in really well too. I used to keep a lot of discus in multiple glass tanks and my electricity bill was really high. Then I replaced a couple of the tanks with acrylic, and it helped immensely.
Plus, my tank has an open top, so I'm going to loose a good bit of heat regardless. That's something I'll just have to accept. At least the metal halide lamp heats the water up a bit, and in the summer, I won't have any problems keeping my tank and 80 degrees.
Using an acrylic tank helps keep heat in really well too. I used to keep a lot of discus in multiple glass tanks and my electricity bill was really high. Then I replaced a couple of the tanks with acrylic, and it helped immensely.
I have to agree with every one about discus in a planted tank. They look much better.
I bought my 1st discus about 3 weeks ago.
My tank water is now up to 83 degrees. I'll have to see long term how the plants will do. I used the hard foam like insulation on the back of my tank to try to keep the heat in.
I bought my 1st discus about 3 weeks ago.
My tank water is now up to 83 degrees. I'll have to see long term how the plants will do. I used the hard foam like insulation on the back of my tank to try to keep the heat in.
Elgecko - very organized, nice website. Nice plant tank too. As far as temperature goes, you may be able to keep the water at 80 degrees which your discus should do fine in. It depends in part on the health of your fish and genetic robustness. If your plants start suffering at 83 degrees, try turning the temp. down a bit and just keep an eye on your discus.
Several years ago I used to keep discus in a big way and bred them in a limited capacity for fun. They are absolutely my favorite freshwater fish to keep.
So far in my 90g planted tank, I love the rummy nose tetras. Man, do they swarm food and will stuff themselves until they're bellies are round which makes them look funny. Very active swimmers and they stay in a school mostly which is cool. I must say I'm very surprised at their coolness factor. I was going to add cardinals but then liked the way the rummys move. They are much more "wiggly" when they swim compared to cardinals, and follow me as I walk by the tank.
I have a silver hatchet too. Do you still have yours? These are legendary carpet surfers. Because my tank is frameless, I keep the water level a few inches below the top of the glass which keeps the hatchets in the tank. They love to stay in a constant mild current at the top of the tank. Not much personality, but very neat fish.
Now, if I can just get hold of a healthy batch of true altums.... (sorry, I'm wandering...)
Several years ago I used to keep discus in a big way and bred them in a limited capacity for fun. They are absolutely my favorite freshwater fish to keep.
So far in my 90g planted tank, I love the rummy nose tetras. Man, do they swarm food and will stuff themselves until they're bellies are round which makes them look funny. Very active swimmers and they stay in a school mostly which is cool. I must say I'm very surprised at their coolness factor. I was going to add cardinals but then liked the way the rummys move. They are much more "wiggly" when they swim compared to cardinals, and follow me as I walk by the tank.
I have a silver hatchet too. Do you still have yours? These are legendary carpet surfers. Because my tank is frameless, I keep the water level a few inches below the top of the glass which keeps the hatchets in the tank. They love to stay in a constant mild current at the top of the tank. Not much personality, but very neat fish.
Now, if I can just get hold of a healthy batch of true altums.... (sorry, I'm wandering...)
