Misers 850ltr build

[Simundo]

Decided to convert my discus tank to a low maintainence natural planted.

Most of the substrate is from the garden centre. Built up with 20 and 10mm shingle, moler clay and aquatic compost in bags where I want to plant, topped with Alpine grit and some feature stones. Alpine grit is quartz, intert and 5 quid a sack as apposed to the ridiculous rates some of the aquatic centres are charging for substrates. Thank is 5ft and 28" wide, so needed quite a lot.

Are there any forums where people sell plants - just to continue in the budget conscious nature of the build!

 

[arcturus]

https://www.ukaps.org/forum/forums/for-sale-swap-wanted.23/ and plenty on ebay. But if you are not buying from a reputed source, then <what seems cheap might turn out to be a waste of money>. You can also buy a handful of pots of in vitro plants. Each pot is not cheap, but you will get a lot of plants per pot. The cost per plant might not end up being much higher than buying them in forums. Looking forward to see how this monster tank will end up!

 

[Simundo]

Thanks arcturus. For some reason I do not have access to that sale/swop forum.

 

[arcturus]

Thanks arcturus. For some reason I do not have access to that sale/swop forum.

Ah! Yes, You need to have 25 messages posted on the forum before you can use the sales/swap section.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

For some reason I do not have access to that sale/swop forum.

Only accessible after 25 posts,

cheers Darrel

 

[Simundo]

Thanks Darrel.....(thats one more)

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

Thanks Darrel.

Welcome to the forum, we have a <"few Discus threads"> you might be interested in commenting on.

cheers Darrel

 

[Simundo]

Up and running.

The Sagittaria I bought from ebay. Nothing like the Tropica one, this one has broader leaves at the tips and doesn't look that happy, which is surprising as I've always found it's very tough and quickly gets going.

 

[Hufsa]

The Sagittaria I bought from ebay. Nothing like the Tropica one, this one has broader leaves at the tips and doesn't look that happy, which is surprising as I've always found it's very tough and quickly gets going.

That sounds like emersed grown leaves, which would also explain why they are looking unhappy
The plant is draining nutrients from the old leaves that are not made for submersed living, and putting it out into new roots and new adapted leaves.

Tank looks lovely so far, im really liking the different sizes of gravel and pebbles you have, it looks very natural

 

[Simundo]

That sounds like emersed grown leaves, which would also explain why they are looking unhappy
The plant is draining nutrients from the old leaves that are not made for submersed living, and putting it out into new roots and new adapted leaves.

Tank looks lovely so far, im really liking the different sizes of gravel and pebbles you have, it looks very natural

Thanks for the Sag explanation. Pleased with the tank so far - not going to waterchange unless it shows signs that it needs it.

 

[heliophyte]

Looking nice! I recommend adding some floating plants as well, those will have access to CO2 from the air and can lock down a lot of nutrients that way, so algae don't get a chance.

 

[Simundo]

Starting to get some brown dusting - so waterchange this weekend. Some plants going really well like the Hygrophilia, some not so - Ludwiga. No crypt melt and they all look good and the moss is getting going.

 

[the1dogbikes]

That is an absolute monster of a tank thought my marine tank was big its only 700lt lol