My Planted and Marine Tanks

[FC]

Hi everyone,

Just an update. Below is my planted tank. Nothing fancy but this is the tank that is maintenance-free now - no water change needed, just weekly mild fertilising.





My newly setup Marine Tank.



I would appreciate any comments and suggestions. Thank you.

[hwchoy]

need bigger pics.

[Piscesgirl]

I think they are quite beautiful -- but no water changes?

I've always felt that weekly water changes were beneficial whether the tank 'needs' it or not. But, I'm curious as to the whys, hows, and whatfores behind no water changes....

[hwchoy]

I've always felt that weekly water changes were beneficial whether the tank 'needs' it or not.

maybe it is because there is apparently few if any fish in there!

[FC]

Thank you (Koh?) for changing the picture size.

Planted Tank
For bio load, I have 3 medium size discus (one died 2 days ago), 12 Blue P. Killies (always hungry), 4 Cardinals, 2 cories, 2 ottos, 1 SAE, some snails.

I like the result of the tank being maintenance-free, the glass walls don't even need to be cleaned now. It served me well as I am very busy lately and will be till the foreseeable 2006. I need only to clean the filter every 4~5 months. Water top-up is a daily routine though.

Marine Tank
It is surprisingly easy to keep marine tank, thanks to the technology and internet information. The materials (salt, etc) and equipment (skimmer, filter, etc) prices had came down to easier reach. The fishes, anemone, shrimps, live rocks are more affordable now too.
The water is surprisingly sparkling clear almost from day one.

[TyroneGenade]

Why did the 2 discus die? Did they by chance need the toilet flushed?

I ran Walstadt style tanks as well with lots of plants, lots of bioload and a water change every few months or so. I do (had) very soft water and could get away with simply topping up but if you water is hard then the topping up may be causing salt imbalances... which are killing the discus. Get some rummy nose tetras. If their noses don't shine BRIGHT red then the water quality is not right for the fish (i.e. filthy).

Also, Otto's can sometimes infuriate discus by sucking on their sides... Ancistrus are a much better option.

The tank is very nice though. A nice layout with lots of green and open spaces for swimming. But I don't like the gravel in the left side front. Not very Amano-ish... :-)

P.S. how old is that discus? his eye doesn't match his body size (it should be smaller) suggesting it may not be growing right.

[FC]

Hi Tyrone,

The discus (one) died from old age, I think. I like the Rummy Nose Cardinal idea.

My previous few ottos did attack the discus, I cannot tolerate this and gave them away.

There are 2 discus now, the one you can see is about 3 years old. I feed them with Sera/JBL dicus pallets and frozen blood worms.