November '06 - Altino Knopp's 200 L Discus Tank. (Brazil)

Owner:	Altino Knopp, 48, from Porto Alegre, Brasil.
Setup:	May 2004.
Dimensions:	100x40x50 cm.
Volume:	200 L (nominal), 175 (effective).
Filtration:	Canister Resun AE 308 (900 L/h).
Lighting:	6x30 W fluorescent: 2x Aquaglo, 1x Sunglo, 1x Resun blue, 1x Resun white 10000 K, on between 8:00 and 19:00.
Substrate:	1 kg treated earthworm compost, 2 kg laterite, 2x100 g Azoo Condensed Basic Fertilizer.
Heating:	Tetra 250 W.
Water:	Temp 27°C, pH 6.6.
Maintenance:	I change 30% per week. I use deionized water filter by a tap water purifier. I only add tap water conditioner.
Fauna:	5 discus, serpaes, rummy noses, pristellas, and a few others.
Flora:	Just common plants: higros, bananas e others.
Comments:	I've been an aquarist since 1987 and I've started and deactivated this tank several times. Soon after the last setup in May 2004 I had several problems with excess phosphate, where I had to redo it all removing all the plants that were covered in algae. I did a lot of water changes, decreased the photoperiod, until I finally got things right. Maybe because I don't have many plants I haven't used fertilizers, in fact, whenever I've used fertilization I've had algae problems. The biggest problem I have right now is brush algae, but I have it under control. I've had the 5 discus for 7 months and they're looking very good.

If you'd like to submit an aquarium for Tank of the Month, just contact me.

Photos taken by Altino Knopp and displayed here with his permission.