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Some advice on improving my aquarium please.

2K views 18 replies 10 participants last post by  DiscusFan 
#1 ·
Hi Guys . I'm looking at improving the plants in my tank . I want to keep what i have but maybe add something small and make the bottom of the tank more attractive . Could i get some ideas of what to use and get please .

 
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#3 ·
If you give us the parameters of your water and the amount of light you have, we can better help you. These plants may not work (we need to know your parameters), but you could try dwarf hairgrass, dwarf sag, or HC. You could also try some floating plants like duckweed or amazon frogbit.
 
#5 ·
Substrate plants would really make a difference. Pygmy chain sword would be ideal. You can read about it in our profile, click on the shaded name. Other plants are there too.

Floating plants also would be good; Water Sprite if you can find it, or the stem plant Brazilian Pennywort which makes a lovely floating plant.

Have you considered replacing the substrate? I would suggest a fine gravel or sand, in a dark shade, would work to soften the brightness and the fish would be more colourful.

Byron.
 
#7 ·
My Ph is 6.6 to 6.8 ( pet shop i buy from has thier discus tanks at 6.8 )I really can't take it any lower than that with the other fish i have . My ammonia is 0.00 . Temp is 78 to 80 . Because i work some long hours the tank lights are only on for maybe 3 to 4 hours a day .

I'm probably more interested in a fine gravel rather than a sand. I like the idea of the darker gravel to help make it feel more natural to the fish . And to get rid of some of the brightness for less stress to them also .
 
#10 ·
hi, i think u can add depth effect first before add bottom plants. many aquascapers usually sloop their substrate from the back (higher substrate) to the front (lower), or mound substrate at 1 spot (third person rule is the best, u can goggle it to find more) to create higher ground. for bottom plants i suggest u small leafed plants like echinodorus tenellus which undemanding and can create bushy effect to your tank. and sorry for my english.
 
#14 ·
One must go cautiously here with increasing light. The plants in the photo appear to be Anubias species [not sure about the one in the centre planted in the gravel]. Anubias are low light plants, and very prone to developing brush algae in direct light. They do best in shade, such as provided by floating plants. So when the light is increased (duration) I would suggest adding some floating plants like those I and others mentioned earlier.

Six hours is minimum for most planted aquaria. Depending upon plant species you add, increasing the light to 6-8 hours will probably be sufficient, at least initially. The other thing is nutrients, without sufficient nutrients to balance the light you will have issues with algae. Do you have any fertilizers? I can expand on this later, or you can check out some info here:
http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/...approach-natural-planted-aquarium-part-34861/

The substrate change would make a big difference to the fish and to you viewing the aquarium. I realize the discus probably swim about now and then, but it is not simply co-incidence that in the photo they are in the darkest areas of the tank. You can read some background on light and its effect on fish here:
http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/freshwater-articles/lighting-how-affects-freshwater-fish-81982/
 
#15 ·
Thanks again for all the info . The Anubias does have brush algae and i'll be off down to the local shop to get some floating plants for more shade . I bought the bigger plants for shade as you have mentioned Byron . I just didn't realise how much shade they needed .
 
#17 ·
That's much more natural. And the discus seem brighter coloured...;-)
 
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