Wild Discus Biotope... No Plants!

[zonkkie]

Had a couple of planted tanks previously including the one below. Like my shifu says, I can grow plants but still cannot get the right blend of plants to get a nice aquascape. Plus maintenance was getting into a pain with the trimming and all. Hence, decided to do a biotope aquarium.



Was captured by the beauty of wild discus brought in by JZX (too near my home). So so the journey began to build a biotope to house them. It will not be a strict biotope (some tankmates from SA but not the same region).

Ordered a big tank for them. Wanted some big DW but unfortunately, Green Chapter was in the process of moving and they didn't bring in any big ones.

So tried to combine a few small ones to get the effect of roots.



Filling up with water.



Full tank shot.



The discus seems happy enough but I am a bit irritated by the top of the wood. It is exposing the chopped off part.



With GC reopening recently, managed to grab a few pieces of bigger DW.



And final improvement, added a background to replace the black oyama at the back. So here it is, almost 3 months worth of work of searching and finding the right wood and inhabitants.



Nothing compared to the nice planted tanks on show here (especially the ADA top 200 ones) but something I am rather proud of. Comments and critiques on improving welcomed!

[Aquanoob]

Zonkkie, it is a very nice discus biotope. Is it possible to put some hardy plant like the Anubias or Echinodorus or will it spoil the whole scape?

[zonkkie]

Thanks Nicholas. Well, strictly speaking, the biotope has no plants... possibly some floating plants but if really want to go the authentic way, no plants.

[ichise]

Nice ~ love the background ... is it inside or a paste on behind ? looks awesome

[Shi Xuan]

Pleasant departure from the usual planted tank which is quite nicely done. Even the Manacupuru angels are beautiful but Heckel discus would make a nice addition too. I would suggest that you add a few more driftwoods & if the extra work doesn't bother you, some leaf litter. BTW, here are two videos that might give you an idea of discus habitat;



I think this is a good documentary but it's in German




BTW, are those wild Curuai discus?

Best regards,
Shi Xuan

[aquarius]

Some ideas for you to improve on your scape..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uckgh...watch_response

[zonkkie]

Nice ~ love the background ... is it inside or a paste on behind ? looks awesome

It's inside. Mine is a cabinet tank... so cannot do anything behind anymore.

Pleasant departure from the usual planted tank which is quite nicely done. Even the Manacupuru angels are beautiful but Heckel discus would make a nice addition too. I would suggest that you add a few more driftwoods & if the extra work doesn't bother you, some leaf litter. BTW, here are two videos that might give you an idea of discus habitat;

BTW, are those wild Curuai discus?

Best regards,
Shi Xuan

Thanks. yes, those are wild Curuai discus. Actually it's not recommended to mix different species of discus (i.e. Heckels and Brown Discus) so it will be just these. Yeah, will love to add more DW but maintenance will be a pain. So just sticking to these 2 big pieces.

Some ideas for you to improve on your scape..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uckgh...watch_response

Yup... saw his build before I attempted mine. I don't have that many DW as mentioned above, maintenance will be a pain since I am only using IOS filter to support this.

[blue33]

Nice setup. Center put some big branches of wood and rocks, corner with roots coming down would be nice. Something like the pic(something similiar) below. To get rid of the dirts below you can use a small wave maker and put it 2/3 below pointing down, dirts will be blown up and filter away.

[zonkkie]

Any suggestion on plants with nice roots?

[blue33]

Woods and rocks can liao. No plant!

[aquarius]

I noticed that you're using internal overflow system....... If possible use some leftover backing that you have or something to block the side where the filter medias are so that light won't shine on the medias and cause algae to grow on the medias thereby competing with the BBs for space.

[bryan]

This is very nice. A question about the artificial background. Is it styrofoam or some other material? Notice you added it after you set up the tank. How did you put it up with the water and fish already in it?

[florakid]

Nice set up. Perhaps a bigger dw or rock may do the job.

[stuz]

woo... really nice!

[vannel]

One of my favourite Amazon tanks has always been..



It's dark, as it should be in their biotope.. and the lighting employed really makes the tank look stunning.

[zonkkie]

I noticed that you're using internal overflow system....... If possible use some leftover backing that you have or something to block the side where the filter medias are so that light won't shine on the medias and cause algae to grow on the medias thereby competing with the BBs for space.

Hi bro, thanks for advice. I did think about using the backing to cover the IOS but it will disrupt the front view of the tank (i.e. see the side of the background). Hence, decided against it. No algae so far... experience in planted tanks helps!

This is very nice. A question about the artificial background. Is it styrofoam or some other material? Notice you added it after you set up the tank. How did you put it up with the water and fish already in it?

Hi bryan, the background is made of very high density polyurethane industrial foam. Its imported from the US and yes, the advantage of this is that you can wedge it between your tank bracing and it sticks. No silicon required. Removable too.

Nice set up. Perhaps a bigger dw or rock may do the job.

Yea, shall wait for the right rock when it comes by. Can't do bigger DW already. No space.

woo... really nice!

Thanks!

One of my favourite Amazon tanks has always been..

It's dark, as it should be in their biotope.. and the lighting employed really makes the tank look stunning.

Agree! It's really nice (and big!) Again, decisions on the us how true to stick to the biotope. Dim lighting is natural and probably makes the fish more comfortable but darn hard to get good pictures!

[BFG]

Saw this on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nvQcLY04V4

Might make zonkkie do some adjustment so don't blame me! Nice work Zonkkie!

[Eilsel89]

Saw this on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nvQcLY04V4

Might make zonkkie do some adjustment so don't blame me! Nice work Zonkkie!

Saw this article, quite nice zonkkie might take reference from it by adding some nice rocks

[aquaSynthesis]

I can watch the tank over, and over and over ,and over...

By the way, is this tank still running @zonkkie?

[aquaSynthesis]

GOODNESS!! I've post a reply to a 2012 thread!!