Aquascape Tutorial: HUGE XL Discus Islands Fish Tank (How To: Planted Aquarium Step By Step Guide)

Aquascape Tutorial: HUGE XL Discus Islands Fish Tank (How To: Planted Aquarium Step By Step Guide)

Love how this turned out. Some people showed concern about the tank size in an instagram post (think it could have been the photo to be honest). In my opinion and the opinion of many reputable discus keepers/breeders, the tank is plenty big enough. It's 114 gallons, 4ft x 2ft x 2ft. As you can see, the fish can loop around the whole scape and they do so at a very nice steady pace and really seem to enjoy their laps haha. Rule of thumb suggests 10 gallons per adult fish (10 fish for 100 gallons)...I've gone for 6 fish to air on the side of caution and I think 6 is a good number for discus.

Links to equipment (all affiliate):

Awesome MEMBERSHIP Community:



(All links are affiliate links)

Items i use regularly:

You can buy the bowls i use here:

Gooseneck Clip on lamp (similar as product is now discontinued)

Mini Water Pump:

LED FLoodlights:

#plantedtank #aquascape #mdfishtanks

[MDFishTanks]

Love how this turned out. Some people showed concern about the tank size in an instagram post (think it could have been the photo to be honest). In my opinion and the opinion of many reputable discus keepers/breeders, the tank is plenty big enough. It's 114 gallons (430 litres), 4ft x 2ft x 2ft. As you can see, the fish can loop around the whole scape and they do so at a very nice steady pace and really seem to enjoy their laps haha. Rule of thumb suggests 10 gallons per adult fish (10 fish for 100 gallons)...I've gone for 6 fish (114 gallons) to air on the side of caution and I think 6 is a good number for discus.

Links to equipment (all affiliate):

[Bobbitthehobbit]

I think the cover actually looks really good and doesn’t look bad on film, and of course the scape looks awesome

[SatchPatch]

I started watching this with my younger sister yesterday and walked away for a bit and came back and thought to myself "oh my goodness! What a beautiful piece in that tank!" I thought it was all one piece until I rewatched it thoroughly today and realize that it was tons of individual pieces that you pieced/placed together!! Absolutely stunning work!

[EduStarling]

Greetings from Rio, Brazil!
I'm following your videos for some time and as I'm about to mount a 225l discus tank, I think I've seen this video a couple of times. My 5 year old daughter watched it with me and asked me to tell you: "I'm really excited with this video of your aquarium, I want to buy the very same rocks, wood, plants and discus you used. Congratulations!"

[hilltoptanks]

I apologise for my comment yesterday, after seeing the video and seeing them swim around the tank they have plenty of room. Another great tank md. it’s always been a dream of mine to build a 2000-3000 gallon tank for discus. One day

[nickybee]

I love seeing the split wall behind the tank! That is so unique and beautiful. Those fish have such gorgeous markings and color patterns! Seeing your little darlings faces light up when they saw the fish for the first time was so precious!! What a fun family!! ❤️

[Vtwinmax]

Thanks a lot MD.... Now you've built the absolute most perfect discus tank I could ever dream of.... stainless filtration, white sand, tons plants and perfect balance of colored discus. Thanks a lot... Now I have the worst case of discus envy ever. Absolutely breathtaking setup. Thanks for all the notes in the description and pointers on the tetra food. Dream shopping list obtained. Now to find the disposable income. Thanks for being an inspiration to us all. Love your channel and tanks!

[taskindegirmencioglu]

It is a privilege to feed Discus and create their living environment. You instill a love of fish and responsibility in your children. Thanks for your posts

[boogoodie]

Your discus tank is beautiful. I'm so jealous. I used to keep discus, in a 5foot by 2foot by 2foot tank. It was a huge tank and I adored my beautiful discus. Funnily enough my discus were almost the same colour as yours. I did have a turquoise and a red malbora(excuse the spelling). I managed to successfully breed my two pigeon blood. The whole process was incredible. I ended up with 5 beautiful babies. I would have had more, but daddy ate the rest. Naughty daddy. I had the pair in a breeding tank, so I took dad out and popped him back into the community tank.

Sadly I now have several disabilities and I had to sell my whole setup. I was devastated. I used to love to just sit and watch them swim about and interact. They are such peaceful fish and beautiful. I wish I could still have them. I guess I'll watch yours instead. 😊

[HeRo-qdtk]

At 1st it looked small but you have experience with Discus and then i saw them go round and around. Bravo again!!

[dragonrage]

My mind is blown. Absolutely stunning scape. It really makes the colors of the fish stand out. Great job.

[ninoarellano]

I can totally tell that he is so happy and excited about setting up the tank.

[christinaalphabet]

Absolute stunning tank once again. My four year old watched this with me and stated that we need to do this to our little tank. ❤️

[nicolecose]

These have to be the most beautiful fish I’ve ever seen... such a beautiful tank

[brandyolin]

Love the lid, I have a tank with a similar driftwood above the rim situation, and I have been fighting the evaporation (high temp tank relative to the room). This looks better than I would have expected and I am super happy to see how simple and inexpensive this can be. Thanks for including that bit! I was afraid anything less than glass would block too much light.

[andimoraru]

Beautiful Discus Tank, mate! Having the dark background might make them go dark, but I think because you have the bottom bright white, it makes them not go dark. Also, having the wood makes them feel better by having a place to hide. Keep it up!!

[ShouldBeWiser]

They are really gorgeous fish and they stand out so sharply against the green. Love the scape also, simple but beautiful.

[tomoavfc]

Ah man what a build! What a result, everything looks amazing, can see why you were so excited. This studio is quickly becoming a thing of legend!

[CMK_Patriot]

These are the most beautiful fish I’ve ever seen!! 😍 I can see why you had to have them. Great looking tank too. Keep up the good work MD! I also ❤️ when you get your littles involved, so sweet.

[XtremeChiliPepper]

Damn ... have very much enjoyed your journey from beginner to semi-pro designer! Such beautiful fish, all friends, all happy. Just keep doing what you love man, you're rocking it! Keep your mind open for ideas, don't let the flury of media distract you, or change you.