Middle tank plant ideas needed

[TheresaM]

This would be for my 16g bowfront. Low-medium lighting, no CO2, I use root tabs and Flourish.

Back of the tank I have a bunch of jungle vals and a few Amazon swords; front is all dwarf sag. Currently in the middle I have a few stems of both moneywort and ludwigia repens. Those two grow quickly and I'm frequently trimming. I wouldn't mind removing them if I have the option(s) for something else. Between those and the vals I have a lot of long thin plants right now. Is there something shrubbier, bushier (can't think of a better word!) that would work for me? (no crypts please)

edit: I do have dwarf water lettuce floating, so far hasn't affected lighting for the other plants

Thanks!

 

[azmodan]

Not a ton of options for lower light tanks when you eliminate crypts, but maybe look into the following:

Wisteria
Water sprite
Echinodorus parviflorus
Short leaved Java Fern like "philippine"


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[SpaceFish42]

Any type of Java fern is great for the type of tank you are describing.

 

[TheresaM]

Ok here's a pic of the tank if that helps in any way...

 

[SpaceFish42]

Wow! Some mosses might look nice in there. What kind of fish do you have?

 

[Alexwm125]

Really nice tank. Maybe a line of hygrophila corymbosa would look good there. The leaves would break up the grassy look into separate parts.

Really nice setup though, love it!




I love my fish!!!

 

[RightTurnClyde]

I second the nomination for Java Fern. They need very little attention aside from trimming off the old leaves when they turn brown. They also tend to propigate a lot of baby plants that you can grow out and place elsewhere. It's the plant that keeps on giving.


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[SpaceFish42]

I started with five java ferns and have never needed to buy any more, even though I got two (and a half) more tanks. I now have about ten in each aquarium.

 

[TheresaM]

Wow! Some mosses might look nice in there. What kind of fish do you have?

Thanks! CPDs, 2 sparkling gouramis, a trio of cherry barbs, 4 furcatas.

 

[TheresaM]

Thanks again for the comments. I don't feel confident at all with aquascaping and was very hesitant to post a pic.

As far as the java ferns would you suggest just placing a few in the middle between the ludwigia and moneywort?

 

[SpaceFish42]

I think this might help.
http://aquariuminfo.org

 

[RightTurnClyde]

Thanks again for the comments. I don't feel confident at all with aquascaping and was very hesitant to post a pic.

As far as the java ferns would you suggest just placing a few in the middle between the ludwigia and moneywort?

Sure, just not EXACTLY in the middle, left to right. Always shift things a little bit to one side or the other. The Rule of Thirds. And just in case you aren't familiar with Java Fern, they should be tied to a rock or driftwood. If you bury the rhizome under the substrate, it will rot and the plant will die. They feed entirely from the water column.

 

[crazy4fids]

I'd go with a red tiger lotus. It will add some color and the large lobed leaves wull add contrast and texture.