Discus planted aquarium

[BruceStuart]

Hey guys just wondering how many of you have planted aquariums and if you would recommend it.
How do you vacuum the sub-straight? Or do you?
I think they are beautiful but I feel like it may compromise the water quality of the fish due to the larger bio load.. even though I know plants reduce some harmful factors they still produce waste right?

Just wondering, thinking about starting a planted discus tank but im on the fence.

[KatzeSlaugen]

the only time a plant would produce waste is if it died and you let it rot in your tank. plants do nothing but good for tanks, and will help water quality. i have 2 of my 3 tanks planted.

as far as recommending it or not depends mostly on if you want plants or not. just because i like something, doesnt mean i will recommend it to everyone.

as for the substrate i use to hover method to pick up loose debris, i leave the mulm in the gravel for my plants

[850R]

Hey guys just wondering how many of you have planted aquariums and if you would recommend it. I am just getting planted. & YES
How do you vacuum the sub-straight? Or do you? Cautiously.

I think they are beautiful but I feel like it may compromise the water quality of the fish due to the larger bio load.. even though I know plants reduce some harmful factors they still produce waste right?Katze covered this.

Just wondering, thinking about starting a planted discus tank but im on the fence.
Hop on over! Your fish will love you for it.

[funkman262]

When I first set up my tank, I purchased a bunch of fake, colorful plants and decorations. Later on, I decided to upgrade the lights, order some black flourite sand, and pick up some driftwood and live plants. The difference was remarkable. After making the change, I know that I would definitely never go back to fake plants. As far as substrate, the flourite sand was nice but now I'm using soil with the sand as a cap. I've never vacuumed my substrate since I switched to live plants as they use the waste for fertilizer. As far as deciding whether or not it's right for you, you need to determine how dedicated you're willing to get. You can get ultra-powerful lights with pressurized CO2 and an intricate fertilizing schedule, or moderate lights with DIY CO2 and infrequent addition of ferts, or low light with no CO2 and no ferts. And keep in mind that your selection of plants will vary based on which path you go. Low-light plants might burn in high lights and high-light plants won't be able to grow in lower light.

[Lady Hobbs]

Once you plant, you won't go back.

But, first comes proper substrate and lighting or all will be in vain. Plants don't need killer lights but they do need upgrades over just the standard lights that come with the tank. Even if you have just gravel, plants that attach to wood and floaters can make a tank look very nice.

The gunk in the substrate fertilizers the plants and no, you do not vac it.

[Spardas]

If you plan on doing planted with small discus fishes; then I'd highly recommend against it unless you're willing to put in extra work for water management or if not, you'd be willing to accept stunted discus.

But if you plan to get pre-adults/adults, they'll cost a lot.

But if you go with juveniles/smaller discus, they'll be cheaper. Even with a planted tank, it'll be hard to expect the plants to keep up with the waste from the food that is required to let the discus grow out properly.

So long as you're willing to invest in time and effort for your fishes; then they'll be fine. If you go with wilds, that's a little more demanding as well. :hmm3grin2orange:

[WhiteDevil]

Im agreeing with Spardas. They need constant fresh water and 6-8 feedings a day to get them up to adult size and healthy. I got 20 discus and yeah its a must to do it like this.

Jack Wattley has done alot of research on growth,quantity,tank size and amount of water changes. Ive grown my last 8 smaller discus out by his small tank/lots of pwc's method and now they are a solid 5" from 2" 3 months ago.

[Sandz]

WD, can you give us some in depth on that small tank process or a couple quality links?

[Spardas]

Not really rocket science here, get a small tank (say 20 gallon average), put in juveniles, power feed (6-8 times), and change water a lot (as in 80-100% water change several times a day)!

Sit back and observe the growth. :hmm3grin2orange:

[Cermet]

If you plan on doing planted with small discus fishes; then I'd highly recommend against it unless you're willing to put in extra work for water management or if not, you'd be willing to accept stunted discus.

But if you plan to get pre-adults/adults, they'll cost a lot.

But if you go with juveniles/smaller discus, they'll be cheaper. Even with a planted tank, it'll be hard to expect the plants to keep up with the waste from the food that is required to let the discus grow out properly.

So long as you're willing to invest in time and effort for your fishes; then they'll be fine. If you go with wilds, that's a little more demanding as well. :hmm3grin2orange:

Agree totally and says it all - great post:hmm3grin2orange: read carefully.