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Any suggestions for a planted tank?

2K views 5 replies 4 participants last post by  redchigh 
#1 ·
Im going to setup my 3ft tank as planted along the back and sides, with maybe a few foreground plants. Im already using wisteria and pennywort. Do you guys have any suggestions on what to use. The light is fairly bright but Im using the wisteria and pennywort to try and diffuse some of the light. The photo Ive attached is the current setup of the tank. Its only half filled because thats the filter's and the heater's capacity. Ive been waiting for the sale at the pet store thats happening today. Im going to buy another heater and filter, as well as pennywort and wisteria and any other plants that you all may suggest. The plants you see in there are just some milfoil (I think thats what it is) from my other fishtank. I placed those in, in an attempt to take up as much nutrients as possible to stop an algae bloom. The water hyacinth is also temporary and will be moved into a bucket of water outside. Theres some java moss on the driftwood as well and ill probably leave that as it is. My plan is to have the whol area at the back planted with mid and foreground plants along the sides, leaving quite an open area in front of the driftwood pieces. Another question, should I let the filter current blow the lenght of the tank or to the front or should i use the drizzle pipes that are supplied with it. Ill be using a bigger filter as well as the smaller filter, so I could even do a combination of drizzle and current. I just need advice. All suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance.
 

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#2 ·
Well if your not using CO2 i would use the drizzle tube you are reffering too, if the current is very minimal for the large tank might want current movers but i doubt it.. Have you tryed plants befor?
I like your tank nice n big :), Ive had real good succes without CO2 using most if not all the plants ive had in the past, You should maybe try a Echinodorius Plant (Sword plant) a Amazon sword would be nice in this tank givin the huge amount of room for it too grow (mine is about 2 foot in width and the leaves are about 22 inchs in length :) ) Hygrophila Diffomorious i think its called lol, Anubias Java Fern Java Moss are all great for your drift wood, along the middle I would try a Pygmie Chain Sword with your sand substrate that would doo amazing, and as for forground maybe a crypt Parva or Crypt Nevilli.. Beautiful tank man post more pics when done :)
 
#3 ·
If you're intending a planted tank, unless you have (or plan on having) specific fish that require more current (some do, but most don't) minimal water movement is preferable for the fish and plants. Down the length of the tank is effective at creating a slight flow such as in a small stream, and provides good water flow throughout for better temp stability. I tend to aim the spraybar against the end glass and slightly down so there is less "obvious" current.

Byron.
 
#4 ·
I would love to try an amazon sword but I hear that they need a pretty deep substrate and fertilisers as well? How deep does the substrate have to be and Ive never used fertilisers before. I have had plants before though but no fertilisers and they grow really fast. I wouldnt mind trying anubias and java fern but I thought they dont do so well in bright lights and like they get 'burnt' or something? Also, what would be a good plant to carpet the substrate a bit? Im going to try some java moss with some mesh but what else can I use? Im planning to keep kuhli loaches, peppered corydoras, a bristlenose catfish, female fighting fish and maybe some tetras later on. They dont need strong currents yea?
 
#5 ·
Correct, those fish are what I refer to as forest fish, they occur in forest streams that are generally slower rather than faster current, and for half the year the forest floods and there is little or no "current".

One comment on the fish, I would not recommend Betta with other fish like tetra. I consider Betta to be worth their own space. And if females, a group works better.

What is your light? You mentioned bright, so I ask.

Larger swords need a deeper substrate, but you can achieve this by terracing the substrate. Push some of the substrate from the front towards the rear; as it is unlikely to stay like that, some inert rock or even wood to make small terraces (steps) works well. The the larger swords would be planted at the back in the deeper substrate.

Front cover would be good with the pygmy chain sword, it only needs 1-2 inches of depth.

Most plants need fertilizing because there is unlikely to be sufficient nutrients in the tap water, fish food, and organics. Substrate-rooted plants tend to be higher nutrient plants. A good liquid fertilizer is sufficient, I recommend Flourish Comprehensive Supplement for the Planted Aquarium. I believe it is the best complete preparation. Nutrafin's Plant-Gro liquid also seems to work, though it takes more of it. Flourish uses very little, in a 33g 1/2 a teaspoon once or twice a week is sufficient, so long-term it is less expensive.

Byron.
 
#6 ·
I would actually reccomend hairgrass (eleocharis) for a sand substrate... or dwarf sag if you prefer the look.

You're right, algae can sometimes grow on plants like anubias and java fern if they're in a bright area, but this can be remedied by planting a tall plant nearby- aponogetons and echinodorus come to mind.

Crypts are a nice way to add color to a low-tech tank...
 
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