first aquascape: 55g

[HalfMoon B]

Real plants is the way to go for that. And lots of time and trimming!! I am waiting on my 40 gal to start to fill out...

 

[zooking12]

I want to see! Post some pics! And also, I can't ever fit all my plants into the tank, yet it never looks quite lush enough. Is there a trick to it?

 

[HalfMoon B]

Time and patience! I daunt my plants pearling yesterday, so they are liking my light and co2 treatment.
In the interest of not hijacking your thread, mine is here:
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f24/new-40-gal-breeder-158912.html

 

[zooking12]

Your aquarium looks perfect! Do you really "need" CO2 fertilization, though? Would fish be enough for my tank?

 

[HalfMoon B]

I have high lighting and a few plants that require that. Co2 just helps the plants get what they need to really get growing.
Low light plants like mosses, anubias and java fern don't require it, but could still benefit from it.

 

[zooking12]

Ok, thanks. and could you tell me how you got your tank setup figured out? I can't ever get it right.

 

[HalfMoon B]

Just play with it. I am forever tinkering.

 

[zooking12]

Ok. I'l try that. But whenever i do I end up spooking my kribs. I'm really trying too make it long lasting. I want my kribs to bring out their fry

 

[HalfMoon B]

Just focus on making it pleasing to your eye. They will carve out their territory.
Typically it looks better with taller plants in the background and sometimes on the sides, medium sized and bushy plants in the middle, and short ground cover plants in the front.
It's just about what you like.

 

[zooking12]

Unfortunately my budget sometimes doesn't allow aestetically pleasing things. Thats why I breed fish; to sell them for upgrades. That's why I need fast-growing plants; so I only need to buy 1 and it'll spread on it's own.

 

[HalfMoon B]

Java fern, java OSS, anubias are great low light plants. Anacharis and nor woot should do okay as well.

 

[zooking12]

Noor woot? I'll have to look that up. I've never heard of it. But the rest sound ok. thanks

 

[HalfMoon B]

sorry! Hornwort. iPad autocorrect at its best....

 

[zooking12]

Oohhh hahaha! Well, I do have some hornwort. It won't get eaten, will it? Bolivian Ram, various tetras

 

[HalfMoon B]

The tetras won't bother it. Not sure about the rams though, I have never kept them myself

 

[zooking12]

Neither have I. I'm planning my next aquarium. I currently have a pair o kribs, cardinals, and cories. I'm gonna move the kribs, get some rams, black phantoms, some platies and some cherry barbs or zebra danios.

 

[HalfMoon B]

Just be careful with the barbs and any long finned tank mates, I have heard they are nippers, but someone will hopefully chime in o. That. I don't keep them either...

 

[zooking12]

You don't keep what either?

 

[HalfMoon B]

The cherry barbs.

 

[zooking12]

Cool. I had them about a year ago. The male became aggressive so I took them back. It turned out that they were just spawning. Oops! theyre pretty little fish really. I'm still trying to decide if the tank should be a nice planted community or a strict south american biotope.