Need comments on new tank setup

[wks]

Hi guys, I have decided to set up a 4ftX1.5ftX2ft (deep) discus planted tank in my new home after much consideration. Since it is going to serve as a divider between the dinning room and the entrance, I have also decided to use the sump (no exposed canister’s input/ output hoses and CO2 tubing) which will be divided into 4 chambers.

a) First chamber: Japanese mat followed by bio foam and ceramic rings. Reason- To trap and breakdown bigger waste (mechanical filtration). Ceramic rings to disperse and slow down water flow to facilitate biological filtration.

b) Second chamber: Eheim EHFI SUBSTRAT PRO followed by filter wool. Reason- To complete biological filtration and trap smallest particles.

c) Third chamber: Eheim EHFI TORF. Reason- To get crystal clear water and stabilizes pH. According to Eheim this is good for discus. This chamber will also house an internal CO2 reactor.

d) Last chamber: Return pump to pump water back into main tank.

I would like to do a water change of 50% once a week. The flora will be mainly java ferns, Anubias barteri var. nanas, Vallisneria americana, Echinodorus tenellus and another yet to decide red Echinodorus plant. The fauna will be discus (5, may increase to 10 in future), cardinal tetra (50), apistogrammas (2 pairs) and malayan shrimps (100).

Please comment whether this proposed type and arrangement of filter media can support the tank.

[illumnae]

it might just be me, but you might want to consider foregoing the co2 totally

your plants are low maintenance ones that don't need the co2, and given that you're using a sump, you're gonna have to pump in extra co2 to counter the effects of outgassing due to the water splashing around. further more, discus in a planted tank is a delicate balance that's hard to achieve...1 less parameter to fiddle with will make your life that much easier

[wks]

Hi illumnae, I will take your comment into consideration. Given the proposed bioload, do you think I can add another 5 adult discus in future?

[eddyq]

Looks workable set-up, I hope you are using base fert. Maybe get the biggest CO2 tank that your tank cabinet can hide. I would use zeolite/carbon to absorb unwanted chemical build-up.

Shrimps will alway be apistos's food unless there alot of hiding.

[illumnae]

i wouldn't recommend another 5 discus. your tank is about 75-80 gallons, and generally the rule of thumb is 10 gallons per full grown adult discus in a bare tank. it'll probably be less in a planted tank. however, this is just an estimate after all. my recommendation would be no more than 7 adult discus as your final number. this is even so if you don't add any other fish, as the main constraint is not bioload but the space that discus need.

[wks]

Looks workable set-up, I hope you are using base fert. Maybe get the biggest CO2 tank that your tank cabinet can hide. I would use zeolite/carbon to absorb unwanted chemical build-up.

Shrimps will alway be apistos's food unless there alot of hiding.

Hi eddyq, I'm thinking of trying out without CO2 supply first. I intend to use the newly introduced GEX substrate without base fertiliser. If the plants are not doing well, then I'll consider using CO2. I planned to use PL lights 2X54W.
I don't mind letting the apistos to hunt shrimps.This will allow me to observe their natural behaviour in the comfort of my new home.

i wouldn't recommend another 5 discus. your tank is about 75-80 gallons, and generally the rule of thumb is 10 gallons per full grown adult discus in a bare tank. it'll probably be less in a planted tank. however, this is just an estimate after all. my recommendation would be no more than 7 adult discus as your final number. this is even so if you don't add any other fish, as the main constraint is not bioload but the space that discus need.

illumnae, thanks for your advice. Looks like I will have to leave the discus alone.
Do you use CO2 for your discus planted tank? Can I use the GEX substrate without base fertiliser? Hows your plants faring at the moment?

[illumnae]

with 2x54W lights, you'll be running at 1.4WPG...it's alright for the ferns and anubias, but i'm not so sure about the vals and swords...i think it's a good idea to go without CO2 with lighting so low.

my discus tank went through 7 months without CO2 and just anubias as the flora and after rescaping it late July, it now has CO2 pumping so both work ok for me.

my Gex substrate is now being used without base fertilizers and my plants are flourishing. hairgrass lawn has spread after 2 months, lotuses are palm size and blood red, swords are putting out new leaves and blyxa is thick and lush. i'm very satisfied with Gex overall i just bought another bag for my upcoming nano tank project.