aquascaping advice?

[dudeofrude]

I'm just looking for a little advice on what live plants to add to my tank, i have java fern already in there and I also have some java moss being soaked to kill hitchhikers.
I know aquascaping is down to the individual but I've been got no design skills (as you'll see from the pics lol)
I'm happy with the bogwood but I'm open to different placement. Also the fake plants are coming out when I get a more live ones

I've uploaded a pic of the bulb, that is the only light source, not even a window near the tank.
I'm just looking at making the tank more natural and cosy for the fish. Also something that's fairly easy to maintain?

 

[adadkins1]

Okay, so this is an 18W T5 (?) fixture, the Kelvin wasn't listed on their website so hopefully this pink bulb will still grow plants well. What are the dimensions of the aquarium you are putting this lamp over? That way we can help determine some more plants suitable for your tank.

 

[dudeofrude]

Okay, so this is an 18W T5 (?) fixture, the Kelvin wasn't listed on their website so hopefully this pink bulb will still grow plants well. What are the dimensions of the aquarium you are putting this lamp over? That way we can help determine some more plants suitable for your tank.

I'm pretty sure it's a t5 but I'm not sure of the wattage? It's not pink either that's just the way it's come out on the pics? It's actually more blue? The tank is an 163litre bowfront and its 50cm deep although with substrate etc its probably best closer to 40

 

[adadkins1]

Okay, I looked and it says that the bulb diameter is 1" which would mean this is a T8 bulb and it is listed as 18W (that is what the F018 means on the bulb end). Your tank is roughly 43 U.S. gallons, and about 20 inches to the substrate, so really that light will keep you restricted plant wise. You can keep the Java Fern/Moss that you already have and maybe some Crypts and Anubias. Other than that, I don't really know too much for a very low light tank.

 

[adadkins1]

http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/plantfinder

Put "Low" in the "Lighting Requirements" and those are the bulk of the plants you could have.

 

[dudeofrude]

That's fine, I'm happy with low light plants, i was looking at anubias so that's cool, thanks
now I just need to find the best best places in the tank to place them?

 

[adadkins1]

Well Anubias, Java Fern, and Java Moss are most often tied onto things like wood, rocks, etc. in the aquarium. You can tie them on with sewing thread or fishing line (not so tight it harms the rhizome) and over a few weeks to a month or two it will attach to the object. If you were able to get Crypts, they do well in low light and can be buried in the substrate. They are heavy root feeders though, so watch for any signs of nutrient deficiencies.

I noticed you have a Dwarf Gourami, they love floating plants. You could always take some of the Java Moss and just let it float in the tank. This provides them with a feeling of security.

 

[dudeofrude]

Ok thanks, do you think I could not get away with any floating plants?

 

[adadkins1]

Hornwort and Java Moss are definitely your best bets from what I know.

 

[dudeofrude]

Ok thanks for your help

 

[adadkins1]

Your welcome, put up some pictures when you get everything done!

 

[dudeofrude]

I've put more java fern in my tank but it's still lacking..... Are there any low light plants I can plant directly into sand instead of attaching to wood?

 

[adadkins1]

You can attempt to plant Anacharis and see how it goes. You can also plant Cryptcorynes in the sand.

You may also try planting Hornwort, however it has such thin stems that it often floats from the substrate. They have a mind of their own.

 

[dudeofrude]

Great ill take a look.. Cheers

 

[dudeofrude]

I've bought what I hope are crypts, they were labelled that way but I honestly haven't a clue lol

 

[dudeofrude]

Here's my tank fully planted, do we think my lighting will be adequate to keep this lot alive? Also do I need to do anything with regards to Co2 or ferts?

I just found out that my light tube is a 7500k, apparently 'ideal' for plant growth

 

[adadkins1]

Wow! It is amazing how good your tank looks with all the live plants. I think those might be some type of sword or they may in fact be crypts. I haven't had much dealing with the latter of the two.

 

[dudeofrude]

Thanks, any idea about ferts, Co2 etc?

 

[adadkins1]

Well, since you have such low light, you don't need to worry about CO2. As far as ferts, it wouldn't hurt to purchase some root tabs to put around you heavy root feeders (Swords, Crypts, etc.). Other than that, your tank should be good to go. Just don't expect any exponential growth since this is a "low-tech" tank.