MartinBlank
Aquarium Advice Freak
So I have a 75 FW community tank that has been up and running with fish in it for close to a year now. I have decided I want to go from fake to live plants. I plan on keeping this a low-tech (and low-light) set up.
I have upgraded my light so am now at 1.44 watts per gallon or thereabouts and they are on for 11 hours per day. The tank is in the basement so gets basically 0 sunlight. I have not had any algae issues so far.
My substrate is sand (pool filter sand to be precise). I do a 20-30% water change weekly and work the sand over then, but there is still the remnants of a year's worth of fish poop in there Hoping that helps.
I will be dosing liquid ferts (Flourish)
I have done some reading and looking and these are the plants that I am currently planning on "giving a go" so to speak:
Java Moss - Vesicularia dubyana
Dwarf Hairgrass
Dwarf Anubias (Anubia Nana)
Giant Anubias - Anubias barteri
Dwarf Sagittaria - Sagittaria subulata
Cryptocoryne spiralis
Java Fern - Microsorum pteropus
Amazon Sword - Echinodorus amazonicus
Water Wisteria (Hygrophila difformis)
Cambomba
On to my questions:
1. Are there any plants on that list that fit into the "You're insane if you think that plant will work in your set up" catagory? I have a feeling that the Amazon Sword may be the biggest "if" in the list, but my wife loves sword plants and so I have to at least try
2. Are there any plants that I am missing? Any plants that are great low-light candidates that are attractive and a good beginner plant?
3. Flame Moss? I have seen some pictures of it and I like it a lot, but can't seem to find any US sellers and have heard stories about dealing with customs etc. Anybody out there have a source?
4. Filling out a 75 with plants will be a large undertaking (and a lot of plants). Any advice on good places to get plants? Checked LFS in my area. They don't have all the kinds of plants I am interested in, and the ones they have don't look to swell. I have bought a few plants (java ferns, a bit of dwarf hairgrass and a single amazon) from the local Petco. But that is going to get pricey quick. Anybody use Aquabid? Or Ebay? Any other sources out there that I should know about?
I am probably missing some other important questions but that is what I have now. I know I know that I should have pictures for the "before" shots. Ah well.
Thanks
I have upgraded my light so am now at 1.44 watts per gallon or thereabouts and they are on for 11 hours per day. The tank is in the basement so gets basically 0 sunlight. I have not had any algae issues so far.
My substrate is sand (pool filter sand to be precise). I do a 20-30% water change weekly and work the sand over then, but there is still the remnants of a year's worth of fish poop in there Hoping that helps.
I will be dosing liquid ferts (Flourish)
I have done some reading and looking and these are the plants that I am currently planning on "giving a go" so to speak:
Java Moss - Vesicularia dubyana
Dwarf Hairgrass
Dwarf Anubias (Anubia Nana)
Giant Anubias - Anubias barteri
Dwarf Sagittaria - Sagittaria subulata
Cryptocoryne spiralis
Java Fern - Microsorum pteropus
Amazon Sword - Echinodorus amazonicus
Water Wisteria (Hygrophila difformis)
Cambomba
On to my questions:
1. Are there any plants on that list that fit into the "You're insane if you think that plant will work in your set up" catagory? I have a feeling that the Amazon Sword may be the biggest "if" in the list, but my wife loves sword plants and so I have to at least try
2. Are there any plants that I am missing? Any plants that are great low-light candidates that are attractive and a good beginner plant?
3. Flame Moss? I have seen some pictures of it and I like it a lot, but can't seem to find any US sellers and have heard stories about dealing with customs etc. Anybody out there have a source?
4. Filling out a 75 with plants will be a large undertaking (and a lot of plants). Any advice on good places to get plants? Checked LFS in my area. They don't have all the kinds of plants I am interested in, and the ones they have don't look to swell. I have bought a few plants (java ferns, a bit of dwarf hairgrass and a single amazon) from the local Petco. But that is going to get pricey quick. Anybody use Aquabid? Or Ebay? Any other sources out there that I should know about?
I am probably missing some other important questions but that is what I have now. I know I know that I should have pictures for the "before" shots. Ah well.
Thanks