Refugium

Start with low maintenance plants, Amazon swords, Java Ferns, Java Moss, Anubai you don't need to add anything because these plants can survive on the bare minimum and your fish will thank you for the greenery and hiding spots.

 

All of the plants in my tank are lowtech plants, DIY light, DIY Filter, DIY CO2:

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Yes Yes....... maybe so but think like this:

BSc (Masters) Symphysodon Aequifasciata with Submerged Floral Biology Summa Cum Laude has a....... long ring to it.....


Well Doesn't it?

PJAL

 

Lol

 

I have a large Amazon Sword you can have Mohamed - it will grow virtually anywhere.
You will need a big tank though with a corner +/- 50cm x 50cm for it.

Just call it and you'll be on your way.
PJAL

 

Hi Peter

Thank you for thinking of me with this kind offer. What sort of maintenance does this plant require. Can u send me some pics via pm plz

M

 

Hi Mohamed

This is an Amazon Sword - Echinodorus Amazonicus



This is a low maintenance easy to grow plant that will survive well in the water you are preparing for your favourite fish

 

Where does it get planted? I seriously don't want to add new things to the tank that might affect my fish. Can I tie it to some wood to let it latch on? Or is there another method?

 

Depends on the species, most are mid to background plants. Just plant under the gravel.
Google will give you other species.

 

Thank you Peter and Firefly

Peter I will call u later

M

 

If you looking for a plant to tie onto wood then get Java Fern or Anubias. Plus they are both pretty undemanding plants, especially the Anubias, so you don't have to change anything with your tank setup if you don't want to.

 

I have 3 teeny weeny java ferns I've attached to my wood and they have all latched on and are growing. Will the Sword do the same or does it need to be planted?

 

Nope, Echinodorus spp. ( Amazon swords)do not grow on hard substrates.

TO add to mattlamm
Anubias spp. , Java Fern in all it's guises, and Bolbitis spp. are pretty much your ONLY plants ..excluding moss and the like.. to be employed in that manner

For now, FIRST focus on navigating Discus - then work your way up to decoration/plant/fish combinations as it grabs you

A refugium is nice to have, however you'd do well to utilise conventional filtration and maintenance methods for predictable, good results.

Holler if you need some ideas or help

 

You could also try Hydrocotyle tripartita. Add a small piece of a sponge to some wood, and attach a bit to that and it should start growing down the wood with it's roots in the sponge.
Also needs a bit more light than the anubias and ferns.

 

Thanks Firefly

 

I have been thinking about this subject for quite a while now... I love the idea of a refugium on a discus tank. Especially one that is raising juvie discus...

I have a plan. Think of it more like an aquaponics system though. I am going to have to build a new stand for my one 3ft plant holding tank so it stands the same height as my discus tank. I'm then going to drill the one side of the tank to make sure it can overflow when the feed pump stops pumping, but not flood the place.

First I'm going to add Aquasoil to the tank, and ensure the tank is 100% cycled before I connect the 2 systems together.

Just thinking out the bits and pieces...

 

@Peter

Thank you for the kind offer inco the Amazon Sword. I however cannot at this point accept as I need to concentrate on growing my fish and really won't have time for plants. Maybe you could give it to someone more suitable.

Thanks

M

 

This is somewhat incorrect.. any plant will grow with the roots exposed, tie down to wood, or just floating if the following conditions are met:
- enough nutrients in the water column
- CO2
- light

I have grown crypts and echinodorus, plus many other plants attached to wood, and floating..

 

+1

HM is another good example, it grows floating...

 

Yes, HM is a good example.. left floating, it will be worse than duckweed to get rid off..