Need Some Suggestions

[Ian086]

I finally got a start on one of my planned shrimp/planted tanks. It's a 15g. A T5HO 2x24w fixture on the way. Ordering the liquid carbon and dry ferts(EI dosing) tomorrow. The substrate I have is Fluval Stratum Shrimp Substrate. Root tabs I can pick up locally if needed. My plan for fish is, Guppy fry, either RCS or Blue Pearl Shrimp and some Corycats. I would like some Nerite snails or Oto's if I can??. I will let it establish a bit first. Filter is a non-branded HOB(rated for a 30g). Cycled already, currently on my 10g to keep the BB alive. I plan on getting a Fluval C2(?) very soon. I just wanted to ask for a list of plants. Keeping in mind it's shrimp, I would like 'busy' type plants. I was told that my new light fixture would easily put me in the Medium/High light range. I don't mind which light range the plants are for. The tank, it's not quite finished, scaping wise. In the picture, the rocks on the left, I plan on banking the left back corner a few more inches, raising those rocks. Also the back right hand side I want to raise it a few more inches also. So basically the front right quarter of the tank will be flat, about 1-1.5 inches deep.

I will try and point it out in the picture, i'm not very good with words...haha
So in a nut shell, what would you recommend, bearing in mind i'm a newbie to plants. Also I don't plan on heavily planting....Thanks, Ian
**Click on the Picture to Enlarge!!**

 

[Old Scales]

Ian, read your PM. Two good options for a background thicket for the right rear section is first choice-limnophilia sensiliflora, fine leafed dependable grower with very true green color. Will bronze up on the ends in good light. Great for fry to hide in and raise in same tank as parents. Also a great place for shrimp to cruise through and nibble stuff that settles in the fronds.
Second choice if you can't find L.S. is one of the species of Cabomba. Same fine leafed structure. If neither of these is available, Hygrophylia Difformis(water wisteria) is good.
I have a type of Echinodorus(sword plant, Echinodorus parvilflorus) I got to try that I really like as it stays small and stays a very deep beautiful green. Two or three placed between your rocks would look great. I'll send you a pic of it so you can see if you like it.
As far as foreground plants for your front left side there are many options. I am loving my Alternanthera Reineki 'mini'. Its a red leafed carpeting plant. You can get it on that side of the pond from Tropica. Also a little patch of Rotala Indica(Ammania Bonsaii) makes an interesting acccent point. Stays about 8cm tall.
PM me your E mail address and I'll send you pics.
There's lots of other options, LOL we need Rivercats, Jetta and Mantelli to chime in here.
Take care, OS.

 

[Ian086]

Cheers OS, that's a nice list that i'll get to work on tomorrow(4am here at the moment!!). What's your opinion on the Fluval Substrate, and be honest, I can take it....haha. I've read mixed reviews on it and I know it clouds the water if disturbed but I got it at cost price, so I took the chance!!!
I'll PM River tomorrow, if she doesn't see this.....
PS...PM on the way....

 

[Old Scales]

My flora-max in my 29g tends to cloud easily. I put a light, 2-3cm cap of regular gravel over it and my water stays alot clearer. I just plant my stems through it to the flora max.
LOL 4 am? You sound like me now! OS.

 

[Ian086]

My flora-max in my 29g tends to cloud easily. I put a light, 2-3cm cap of regular gravel over it and my water stays alot clearer. I just plant my stems through it to the flora max.
LOL 4 am? You sound like me now! OS.

The only other substrate they have is that Flamingo stuff. The stores 'fish' expert reckons it too sharp for the Shrimp and Corys. He says it's cruised glass. I can't find any info on it, even on the company's website!!!. He say's it would damage their barbs??. It didn't seem sharp to me....

 

[Old Scales]

Yes I would stay away from anything make from glass. I would just rinse the Fluval well, put it in and see how it does. If you find you need a slight cap of gravel, you can always over lay it on later with no adverse affects. OS.

 

[Rivercats]

Since the tank is small and your doing shrimp I would use Hydrocotyle spec. ''Japan'' where you have open space listed and the Mini AR to the left of it. I would stay away from swords due to your tank size and limited planting space, it would just over power the tank. I would however get Hygrophila polysperma 'Rosanervis" (Sunset) since you have it available over there. Easy plant and really nicely colored. If you use any wisteria you are going to have to really stay on top of keeping it trimmed down or it will take over such a small tank. Cabomba Furcata would be good as would Pogostemon Erectus. Ludwigia Ovalis would work also. None of the plants are hard and should do fine in your set up.

Also you have ExtraPlant.com over your way that has a huge selection of plants. If you go to their website and click on the UK flag it takes you to the plants you can get.

 

[Old Scales]

Hello Janis.
We were hoping you'd drop in and help us out here. OK Ian. Now you have a war strategy to work on.
I did some reading up on Drogheda. History, demographics, climate. Very interesting.
Formed in 1196 eh? Just a tad older than Fort Smith. LOL

 

[Ian086]

Hello Janis.
We were hoping you'd drop in and help us out here. OK Ian. Now you have a war strategy to work on.
I did some reading up on Drogheda. History, demographics, climate. Very interesting.
Formed in 1196 eh? Just a tad older than Fort Smith. LOL

Yeah, Two generals on my side. I've won the battle, now for the war...haha....

 

[Rivercats]

Hello Janis.
We were hoping you'd drop in and help us out here. OK Ian. Now you have a war strategy to work on.
I did some reading up on Drogheda. History, demographics, climate. Very interesting.
Formed in 1196 eh? Just a tad older than Fort Smith. LOL

I had relatives that lived about 30 minutes from where Ian is. I got out the old bible and asked Ian where this one county was and it turned out to be close to him.

 

[Ian086]

I had relatives that lived about 30 minutes from where Ian is. I got out the old bible and asked Ian where this one county was and it turned out to be close to him.

I'm hoping OS can find out what part his relatives came from. It would be cool if they were from the area too!!!. Good chance, it's a small country..lol

 

[Old Scales]

Hey Ian, I'm still a private in this army.
Hi Janis, Ian told me you had ancestors from not far from him. That's cool, world is smaller than we think it is.
I have the Ludigia Ovalis and it grows very well for me. It's a nice bronze color leaf that contrasts well by green or red plants. I've had mine about 10 weeks now and am fixing to have to trim it a second time and replant. This will double my small start and give me a really nice grouping. The limnophilia is just as fast a grower as wisteria so trimming it will be a weekly chore. But it is so beautiful I put up with it. OS.

 

[Old Scales]

Ian, I'll dig out my uncle's old ancestery book he made years ago for us. My great grandma was from a town towards the west side of the island. I can't say it now as I might remember it wrong. I'll let you know. Is there good fishing the river Boyne? If so what kind? OS.

 

[Ian086]

Ian, I'll dig out my uncle's old ancestery book he made years ago for us. My great grandma was from a town towards the west side of the island. I can't say it now as I might remember it wrong. I'll let you know. Is there good fishing the river Boyne? If so what kind? OS.

If your a private, I don't know what the hell that makes me then...lol.
Yeah dig out that book, i'm always fascinated to hear stories from our people who had to leave our shores in search of a new, better life. Your people could be from a great little village called Moneygall, where your Great President, Mr Barack Obama's family come from. You could be related, the population is only 300!!!.
Moneygall - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Ian086]

Right, so this is the latest update. This is the list of plants I was given by Old Scales and Rivercats and what I have chosen. I plan on changing the filter, lights and heater soon. The back of the tank will be painted black.
The filter to a Fluval C2.
The lights to 2x24w T5HO Fixture(currently being shipped)
The Heater to a Rena Smart Heater 75w
Opinions/ideas/suggestions are always welcome;

Sunset Hydro
Ammania Bonsai(5*)
Limnophilia Sassiliflora(5*)
Cabomba
Echinodorus parvilflorus(5*)
Alternanthera Reineki 'mini'(5*)
Rotala Indica

Right Background Plant
Cabomba Caroliniana(5*)
OR
Limnophilia Sassiliflora(4*)....

Mid Background Plant
Ammania Bonsai(5*)

Between The Rocks
Echinodorus Parvilflorus(5*)

In Front Of The Rocks
Alternanthera Reineki 'mini'(5*)

And some pictures,

 

[Rivercats]

Sounds like you've got a plan going. Can't wait to see it all planted!

 

[Ian086]

Well obviously all the credit goes to you and OS for the plants. I'd still be choosing them next year and still get them wrong...lol. It will be a slow build, as I have a bad habit of rushing things and making a balls of it. I obviously don't want to do that with this. So strap yourself in, this could be a long, bumpy ride...haha.

 

[Old Scales]

LOL i ASSURE YOU, you will make changes and adjustments as you travel on this journey. But that's the fun of it! Can't wait to see it. OS.

 

[bud29]

Hygro sunset is definitely another super fast-growing plant that will need lots of trimming. In a high-light setting, it is not uncommon to see 1" or more of growth per day. No wonder it's on the federal noxious weed list here


Your plant list looks good. I know I've always liked downoi, it's a good plant to consider if you're looking for something new down the road. I can't wait to see it planted!

 

[Ian086]

Hygro sunset is definitely another super fast-growing plant that will need lots of trimming. In a high-light setting, it is not uncommon to see 1" or more of growth per day. No wonder it's on the federal noxious weed list here


Your plant list looks good. I know I've always liked downoi, it's a good plant to consider if you're looking for something new down the road. I can't wait to see it planted!

Thanks for the suggestion Bud. I really like the look of that plant. Very unusual leaves. I decided not to go with the Hygro Sunset. I have another 12g I want to plant, whenever I get this one finished, so the Downoi will be on the list for that or as a substitute for this tank, if I can't get everything on my original list. What type of lighting does it require??