My ten gallon low light

[TheCrazyFishLady]

Nope. No openings until March apparently, which is disappointing. My class schedule is rough anyway. Probably don't need a job.

 

[Marconis]

Yeah, this semester is gonna be rough for me, too. Good luck!

 

[TheCrazyFishLady]

Good luck to you too!

 

[Marconis]

Moved the Java Fern to the back, moved a clump of Baby Tears in its place. I still want Vals for the back. I also really need to touch up my background, the gray speckles are starting to bother me. Sorry for the out of focus Fern as well, the lens I was using wasn't cooperating with me.

 

[fort384]

Interesting looking scape. I like it!

 

[tyspot1000]

Nice tank! Keep us updated!

 

[Marconis]

What do you guys think of the longer stems on the Crypts? Do you think I should trim the longer ones off? They look kind of crazy...not sure if I like some being much longer than the others.

Also, I'm going to be ordering some Excel. My plants have been looking a little limp and I feel it'll help. I dose Flourish twice a week in small doses; should I dose these two together at the same time?

 

[fort384]

I like the longer stems... looks interesting.

Excel is good stuff. I would dose them on alternate days.

 

[Coleallensmom]

+1 on keeping the longer stems...I think they look great up against the driftwood!

 

[Marconis]

Cool, thanks for the input, guys!

 

[Marconis]

Alright so I was watching a video by Dustinsfishtanks (on YouTube, awesome planted channel) and he was talking about Crypts, and how if they start to get all bushy you can successfully separate them. I'm doing a water change right now and I decided to pull all the Baby Tears; they were all slowly dying so there was no point. I pulled up the Crypt on the left and decided to separate it. Stems felt a little flimsy, but the roots underneath were enormous and healthy. I noticed a nice chunk with an almost separate looking rhizome, so I separated it there. I'm expecting both pieces to melt pretty profusely, but they will recover most likely. I know it currently looks centered, but I need to see how things grow in.

The right side of my tank is pretty bare. I don't know what to put there. I'm still planning on Vals in the back to surround the Java Fern. I guess for the right side, I want a sort of ground cover like a carpet, but I've heard that's hard to achieve with low light. What do you guys think would look nice to fill the foreground of my tank? If you can envision it, I am going to try and go for a "step-like" scape; low plants in the front, the Crypts to fill the middle, and the Val and Fern along the back.Thanks!

I'm lovin' these Crypts, man. Gorgeous plant!

 

[Marconis]

Maybe a better picture will help you guys offer some advice for me!

 

[daileene]

would you consider micro swords? they look beautiful to me...that's just me of course. and i think it will go great on the right side.

 

[fort384]

I think the microswords would look great if you have the light to support it.

 

[Marconis]

I think the microswords would look great if you have the light to support it.

If they require any light like Dwarf Baby Tears, then no.

 

[tyspot1000]

I believe they need Moderate lighting.

 

[daileene]

oppsss my greatest apologies...i forgot about the low light. :-(

sorry for the suggestion..

 

[Marconis]

It's a shame because it's such a cool plant.

 

[Marconis]

Alright so I am looking to order plants. From what I can see, there are tons more options for low light plants on the net (obviously) than at my LFS. I have been browsing Sweet Aquatics, but I am curious of other good sites? Somewhere preferably with cheap shipping...I'm a broke college student, after all.

 

[fort384]

I have had great luck with aquariumplants.com

I have bought from them many times... and they usually have a good selection.