Like a kid in a candy store - Aquarium Advice

flushingfish · 11-20-2006, 02:46 PM

It's the best way to describe myself. I am currently waiting on a load of Java Fern, Parva crypts and undulata crypts that I just purchased. Hoping to make my tank look like a forest. I also don't want to screw up the planting. Does anyone have any tips as to how to plant thes i the substrate? The Java fern is going to be tied to some driftwood. So i'm specifically looking for advice on the load of Crypts the I should have in the next day or two. Any thoughts for success? If you check my gallery you can see how sparsely planted I am currently.

I am still waiting on some crypt retrospiralis

Jchillin · 11-20-2006, 05:27 PM

Planting crypts depends on the density of your scape. If you want them "close" together and want to give them some room for the runners, a couple of inches apart are fine. You will have to eyeball the distance between leaves as well since you don't want them overcrowding each other while growing out.

newfound77951 · 11-20-2006, 05:52 PM

My advice would be to be patient....don't try to plant the tank full now, or when everything grows in you won't have any space left! I have a hard time not filling in every square inch but the plants definitely do not like to be crowded, they need their space, and some will complain loudly if they are not getting enough room. I have an Aponogeton crispus that gets all stressed out, tattered and sends out flower stalks when it is crowded. Crypts aren't the fastest growers but they do look great when they fill in!

flushingfish · 11-20-2006, 06:01 PM

I won't be packing it too tight. The tank already has 2 Java Ferns and 2 Anubias in it.
I will be adding 4 groups of crypt undulata red for accent and 6 groups of crypt parva for foreground. I will also be planting a hex 5 with narrow leaf java fern and crypt retrospiralis. The hex 5 will probably be a betta tank. I think just one male betta and maybe a japonica shrimp for that one. I guess once its all said and done I'll have to post some pictures.

newfound77951 · 11-20-2006, 07:15 PM

Quote:

I guess once its all said and done I'll have to post some pictures.

Yes, I believe it's mandated somewhere in the AA user agreement!

Sounds like a nice planting arrangement. I think I need a taller crypt for my 5 gallon hex as well....keep me in mind if that retrospiralis ever needs splitting. I have C. parva in my 55 and it is nice, bright green and spreads fast under my higher light. Also have C. wendtii "green gecko" and C. petchii and a couple more for which I don't know the names....lemme know if you ever want to trade some crypts!

Mosaic · 11-21-2006, 08:12 AM

I definitely want to see pics! I'm doing a 10g in crypts, anubias, and java fern and I need some inspiration!

flushingfish · 11-22-2006, 09:08 AM

Sorry Newfound He didn't get the retro crypt in. I will have to wait for that one. But I planted the rest last night and the fish are kind of going nuts trying to figure out what happened to their house. Pics will follow this evening.

flushingfish · 11-22-2006, 10:23 PM

Here are the pics of the new planting. I'm going to rig up a DIY CO2 system and judging from my nitrate readings ( just 10ppm) I will probably have to start a fert program real soon.
As you can see from thje castle I am in the middle of a diatom outbreak and of course the planting just stirred everything up so my water is a bit cloudy right now.

Jchillin · 11-22-2006, 10:27 PM

Nice Flushingfish! That Castle looks huge. Have you considered covering some of it with some moss? I think it would look great.

As time goes on, you will see if you need to rearrange anything due to growth. Don't be surprised if you see a tiny crypt leaf sprouting out of the substrate. You may want to consider potassium dosing with your nitrate. If so, get GregWatsons KNO3. It is cheaper and lasts a long time.

rich311k · 11-22-2006, 10:27 PM

Looks nice. I think it will grow in well.

11-20-2006, 02:46 PM	#1
flushingfish Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: flushing, ny Posts: 241 Images: 12	Like a kid in a candy store It's the best way to describe myself. I am currently waiting on a load of Java Fern, Parva crypts and undulata crypts that I just purchased. Hoping to make my tank look like a forest. I also don't want to screw up the planting. Does anyone have any tips as to how to plant thes i the substrate? The Java fern is going to be tied to some driftwood. So i'm specifically looking for advice on the load of Crypts the I should have in the next day or two. Any thoughts for success? If you check my gallery you can see how sparsely planted I am currently. I am still waiting on some crypt retrospiralis __________________ It swims therefore it is 20 Gallon planted community 4 neon tetras 3 head and tail light tetras 4 white cloud minnows 2 marble hatchets 4 poleatus cories 1 freshwater flounder 1 japonica shrimp 4 Otos

11-20-2006, 05:27 PM	#2
Jchillin Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New York, NY (The Big Apple) Posts: 12,970 Images: 47	Planting crypts depends on the density of your scape. If you want them "close" together and want to give them some room for the runners, a couple of inches apart are fine. You will have to eyeball the distance between leaves as well since you don't want them overcrowding each other while growing out. __________________ _________________________________

11-20-2006, 06:01 PM	#4
flushingfish Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: flushing, ny Posts: 241 Images: 12	I won't be packing it too tight. The tank already has 2 Java Ferns and 2 Anubias in it. I will be adding 4 groups of crypt undulata red for accent and 6 groups of crypt parva for foreground. I will also be planting a hex 5 with narrow leaf java fern and crypt retrospiralis. The hex 5 will probably be a betta tank. I think just one male betta and maybe a japonica shrimp for that one. I guess once its all said and done I'll have to post some pictures. __________________ It swims therefore it is 20 Gallon planted community 4 neon tetras 3 head and tail light tetras 4 white cloud minnows 2 marble hatchets 4 poleatus cories 1 freshwater flounder 1 japonica shrimp 4 Otos

11-21-2006, 08:12 AM	#6
Mosaic Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: May 2006 Location: Georgia Posts: 646 Images: 3	I definitely want to see pics! I'm doing a 10g in crypts, anubias, and java fern and I need some inspiration! __________________ I just want my planted tanks to be perfect. Is that so much to ask? 55g: (Mostly) African riverine species: Alestes Chaperi, breeding pair of Kribs, and rhino pleco 30g: Newly established reef tank 10g: Planted but fishless 5g: Unplanted with various snail species 2.5g: Heavily planted with betta.

11-22-2006, 09:08 AM	#7
flushingfish Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: flushing, ny Posts: 241 Images: 12	Sorry Newfound He didn't get the retro crypt in. I will have to wait for that one. But I planted the rest last night and the fish are kind of going nuts trying to figure out what happened to their house. Pics will follow this evening. __________________ It swims therefore it is 20 Gallon planted community 4 neon tetras 3 head and tail light tetras 4 white cloud minnows 2 marble hatchets 4 poleatus cories 1 freshwater flounder 1 japonica shrimp 4 Otos

11-22-2006, 10:27 PM	#9
Jchillin Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New York, NY (The Big Apple) Posts: 12,970 Images: 47	Nice Flushingfish! That Castle looks huge. Have you considered covering some of it with some moss? I think it would look great. As time goes on, you will see if you need to rearrange anything due to growth. Don't be surprised if you see a tiny crypt leaf sprouting out of the substrate. You may want to consider potassium dosing with your nitrate. If so, get GregWatsons KNO3. It is cheaper and lasts a long time. __________________ _________________________________

11-22-2006, 10:27 PM	#10
rich311k Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 8,972 Images: 35	Looks nice. I think it will grow in well.

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