First The Fish, Now The Plants

[dgwebster]

ok, im currently thinking of plants. What to get. I dont want total cover, cos i quite like my gravel when the light hits it. thinking of covering about 50% by making a U in the tank, cleaving a clearing in the middle for my ornamental log.

But I dont know what plants to get.

To try and describe what i'd like:

at the back of the tank: something fairly tall and grass like, light enough to be moved by the water flow created by the filter. doesnt need to reach the top of the tank (15") but maybe about 10". this is going to remain fairly lightly planted to enable the background to also shine through.

sides to be fairly heavily planted with light thin planting in front of the taller plants as well:

Something that can create an almost canopy like effect, a few inches (3"-6") tall, to create shade for those wanting to hide under it.

Considerations if required:

Fish I am going to have in tank are:

zebra danios
tetra (neon)
otocinclus affinis/dwarf sucker catfish
dwarf gourami

Water parameters:

very soft water. think bottled water, evian for example.

natural ph 7.2 but i dont doubt the fish will effect that.
no gh gk etc levels yet, no testers for this.

any suggestions of plants?

I could research this all myself, going through every plant listed, but that is very time consuming. maybe a few pointers to some types you know off your head, then I can start researching in a more limited, productive area?

 

[BLASK]

Tank size?
Filter type?
Co2 or no?
Do you actually use evian water in your tank or were you just making comparison?
If so whats the actual KH degree of your water? Soft is like 1,2,3,4,5, maybe a lil higher.

You say your ph is 7.2? If you will use co2 (with certain plants you will need it) your co2 will go down. We can measure your co2 levels with KH and PH. Look at gf225 signature on his posts, he has a link to a nice chart.

Finally your light - what you got?

Certain plants need different amounts of light levels, which are measured in watts per gallon WPG. So for example if you have a 50 gallon tank then a 100watt light will yield 2wpg. However depth of the tank also matters as how light penetrates it.

If you use a higher amount of WPG, you will NEED co2, otherwise your plants die and algae will happily take over. Good thing your asking questions before you start because if you do everything by the book you will be happy with your tank.

There are many more things like ferts that are required if you want lush green plants. But your main concern is providing us (the planted section folks) with some more info.

I am not experienced with names of plants, but by what I know and from what you want, it seems like Vallisernia (sp) would be the plants for you.

Good luck and I look to hear from you.

 

[dgwebster]

Tank size? 20US gallon/15 imperial - 24"x12" widex15" high
Filter type? Fluval 2 Internal.
Co2 or no? None at the moment.
Do you actually use evian water in your tank or were you just making comparison? Comparison. The reservoir my tap water actually comes from is actually bottled and sold in shops too.
Tube is an aqua-glow to encourage plant growth, but is standard intensity. will double check its wattage in the morning.

I've purchased a test kit for the KH but will probably be after xmas for the delivery. Yay (sarcasticly.) But we are talking very soft, comes from some of the finest water hills in scotland. Is also one of the remaining supplies proud to not have flouride in our water.

meant to add, i quite like the corkscrew vallisneria. it certainly is giving that backgroubd look i was looking for and appears i can thin it out to really create a "weaving" plant for some ofthe mid and upper fish.

 

[anvil63]

meant to add, i quite like the corkscrew vallisneria. it certainly is giving that backgroubd look i was looking for and appears i can thin it out to really create a "weaving" plant for some ofthe mid and upper fish.

Unfortunately, Vals grow much better in hard water. When I've lived in places with soft water my vals never really thrived. They wouldn't die exactly, but grew really slowly compared to when I lived in a different state with really hard water.

Carl

 

[dgwebster]

i'll be honest here, if i puchase it highly grown here im not to bothered about that one growing too fast. in fact, slowly may be good. however, from what i have read the mid/foregound type that im looking for would have to be a good grower to keep algae down, also this is one that i would like to thinken and grow.

 

[BLASK]

anachris (sp) would look preety in a U.

Planted 3/4" side to side with another layer in front that would be 3/4" side to side as well but covering the gaps. That way no gaps and preety look!