discus experts please comment

[discusfav]

the tank size is 7'x2'x2.5'.it is planted with pots containing soilrite covered with gravel.
flora details
anubias barteri
anubias nana
crinum aquatica
crinum thaianum
cryptos 5 kinds
echinodorus ruben
echinodorus (cant identify)
vallisneria giant and normal
aqua rose
moss balls-not doing well

fauna details
13 discus 3-5"
20 congo tetras
4 otocinclus
35 rummy nose tetra
wild snails

lighting is 2 70w metal halides for 8-10hours.
filtration-2 sponge filters on in the night only
overhead filter working 24 hours 900l/h capacity.
power filter at lower level for water circulation only.(600l/h)
heating 500w.
no aeration in winter.sponge filter in the night only.
aeration in summer was through a 2' air curtain.

please comment.

discus peppering is not disappearing.
colour pattern has disappeared/faded in few specimens.the fish have been with me since april 2011.their diet comprises of tetrabits,discus bio gold,brine shrimp flakes,f.d.tubifex,spirulina flakes,hikari algae wafers occassionaly,chicken keema with garlic.

[discusfav]

some more photos

[maaz]

Nice tank...good setup i like to see more closeup pic full tank pic...

[adesh8028]

That is a huge tank.

Well the only reason I see for peppering is tha plants. Can you try to remove the plants and discus only tank for a week or so to check if peperring is reduced?
Also, update us with your WC/Feeding schedule.
Also congos are fast for discus when it comes to feeding.

[Romi]

nice tank!

arent we pushing stocking limits though?

[discusfav]

Nice tank...good setup i like to see more closeup pic full tank pic...

thanks i am a bad photographer but i will post some pics.

[discusfav]

adesh-removing the plants is a tough task,because i need such a big area for placing the plants.
i change 25-30% water weekly that is roughly 200 litres.
i feed them any of the above 3-5 times a day as much as they can finish in 5 mins.chicken keema is 3 times a week till their stomachs appear slightly bulging.
the back glass is painted sky blue on shiva's suggestion.
i had started off bare bottom-- but it was too empty.

congos are fast

i feed a mix of floating and sinking food.congos do not like feeding at the lower level,while discus take their pick at all levels and enjoy the sunk food the last.

[discusfav]

arent we pushing stocking limits though?

i dont know,i always feel a planted tank always balances out little overstocking.please comment.

[Romi]

i have put my two cents on overstocking in the pond thread, discusfav.

[apuda2010]

Discufav,

I have a planted tank far lesser in size than yours - my tank is approx 60 gallons.

I have 6 discus in them - they are big enough but I never bothered to find out their exact size. 5 of them are very happy , eat well and chase each other all the time. One is shy and stunted - a bad purchase from the LFS. Dont know what to do with it.

I too had two of the larger specimens peppering when I purchased them. However , one difference between my setup and yours is that I have a very dense carpet of M.Hirsuta. This plant is bright green in colour. Over time , the peppering has reduced and I have noticed that the fish display very bright colours most of the time.

One more observation - in nature , these are shy fish which like to hide away from light. Metal Halides , while good for plants may simply be too strong for the fish. While 140W for 10 hours may sound OK for a 7' tank , the intensity of light may be on the higher side. I guess the lighting experts on this forum can tell the exact colour temperature and intensity levels etc.

Last point. I put my discus after keeping the tank planted for almost 6 months. I allowed the plants and the tank to settle down before I put the discus in. Let me know of your experience...