Cooler Water Plants For New Setup

[Squirrelbuddies]

As mentioned in another topic, I'm just about ready to take down the 38 gallon tank -- almost there now. I have my old 55 gallon set up in the basement which remains consistently cool all year round. I am dedicating this tank to my common plec - he's about 6-7 inches big now.

Anway -- I'm keeping the water temp at 72F and I've added the following plants from other tanks:

Anubias (nana and frazeri)
Vallisneria gigantea
Vallisneria spiralis
Aponogeton crispus
Nymphaea lotus
Egeria najas (anacharis)

From what I've read these will do well at this temperature. I also have a big clump of corkscrew vallis to move.

Any other ideas for cool water plants? They need to be plec-friendly (either attached to wood or heavy root systems. He does well with the ones I have currently - meaning, he doesn't uproot them.)

CO2 will only be from a single nutrafin at this time and the lighting is just under 2WPG. Fertilization from root tabs only. Basically, a low-tech tank.

What about aponogeton madagascariensis? I think this plant does well in cool water and shade -- Perhaps it would do well planted under the tiger lotus leaves (or under the shade of the jungle vallis?)

And BTW -- the plec won't be totally alone. I have 5 upside down catfish (Synodontis nigriventris) that have been "hanging" around with him along with a school of white cloud mountain minnows!

(editing to add proper name for catfish)

 

[lljdma06]

All my plants were kept at around 72 degrees during the winter in IL and you know what I kept in there. Now, I know most of them weren't pleco proof, but I never kept plecos. My crypts did really well during that time and they should do well in a low-tech situation with a pleco. That's all I can think of off the top of my head right now. (Goes to get more cuban coffee )

llj

 

[BWBettas]

Id love to see a cooler water tank with a plec etc... must look good. Pics please when finished!!

Bret

 

[Squirrelbuddies]

llj -- the crypts are a fine idea! I could plant those in front of the bogwood on the right side. (off-topic - but I thought of you the other night when I was playing scrabble and I had the letters "llj" in my tray! Such an exciting life I lead!)

Bret-- I will indeed post pics - probably this weekend. Right now the the tank only has the white clouds in there and about 2/3 of the plants. Tomorrow night (or Sunday AM), I will be moving the plec, the 5 little upside down cats and the rest of the plants and bogwood. And oh yes, the filter, too.

I think tonight I'm going to order two madagascar lace plants. I've wanted these for a very long time! My tanks have always been too warm for them. Plus I'll order a bunch of little crypts, too!

-sb

edited for spelling