plants and discus

Hi all.
I am sure that this question has been asked many times before however, could not find the thread or threads on it. As some of you may have read on my previous thread, I am getting a 1.6m tank for my discus that are out growing their current home. As it is a display tank, I would like to make it a planted tank.

What I want to know from some of you plant experts, is what plants will thrive in those warm temps 29/30 dgs.and the soft water that is required to keep the discus in.

Any help and comments will be appreciated.

 

Here is a very nice article on Discus in a planted tank.

Tropica Aquarium Plants - RÃ¥dgivning - Akvarietyper - Fiskeakvarier - Discus i planteakvarier

 

TX good article

 

Any other comments guys? Do any of you have such a setup. A planted discus tank. If you do post some pictures need some ideas.

 

Been reading up on this and will be setting up my planted discus tank with in the year... the general way is to use easy plants with slow growth so you don't fiddle with the tank 24/7.

In my tank I will be using Java ferns, various anubias and a couple amazon swords

 

Thanks for that. I could use a few nice pieces of Spider wood with those plants. Just need to go find some nice wood.

 

Our discus tank @ Dorry Pets

 

@Ryno love that tank. What size is the tank and what light fixture have you got on there. Can you take a few pictures of the discus in that tank.

 

Tank is 200x100x60 I think not sure. It runs a t5 mh combo. Will take pics today.

 

Thanks @rryno

 

Thanks @Ryno

 

Forgot to take photos was a very very busy day at the shop

 

All good @Ryno when ever you get a chance.

 

Probably only next weekend

 

whats was the name of that thread again the one from the start of this tank I am keen to see a update?

 

I have know idea what was the name. Also cant remember who started the thread. Probably sean.

 

Hi I started the thread called my 1.6 discus tank but I can't find the link for it for some strange reason.

 

my 1.6 soon to be discus tank

 

@Seanj do you have any comments on such a settup with regards to plants and where to get them

 

Discus and plants... I did not know, at the outset, that the dorry tank was going to be a discus tank. It just kind of happened. But, I will say this much:

Plants and juvenile discus is not something I would even attempt. I am growing out my rio Xingus in a tank that has virtually no plant life. The odd anubias, and java fern are in the tank. This is due to the amount of food I feed them. I have very little light over the tank, as they are skittish as hell. But having said that, I am growing them out for a big display tank that I have been dreaming about for a long long time.

With regards to plants that would be suitable for a discus system, look at what plants originate in the areas that discus come from. As well as species that come from similar tropical areas. Obviously Java Ferns and Anubias will do well. I even had Bolbitus doing well with my guys at a temp of 30 degrees. I think the best plants in a discus system are the following:

Java Fern
Bolbitus
Anubias
Ludwigia
Echinodorus
Aponogetons
some Rotala species

Plants t avoid would be moss. Mosses do not really tolerate high temps and turn brown and die very quickly.

It is definitely possible to have planted discus systems, but just remember one thing. Cool water hold gasses for a lot longer than warmer water. This means Oxygen as well as Co2. So in warm water you will have less oxygen and Co2. So by increasing the Co2, you are potentially increasing the odds of gassing your discus. Also, how to you keep the water well oxygenated without dissolving the Co2 out? It's a conundrum. But there are ways and means to work around it. By picking plant species that dont require a heck of a lot of co2 in order to survive.