For My 48" Tank Will This Be Ok?

[gsta13]

FOREGROUND
5 Red Ivy
5 Bacopa Monnieri
5 Red Water Rose
5 Ech Tenellus
5 Pygmy Chain Sword
5 Green Water Rose
5 Crypt Wendtii
BACKGROUND
5 Hygro Polysperma
5 Vallis Torta
5 Elodea Densa
5 Cobomba
5 Water Wisteria
5 Stardust Ivy
5 Crypt Ciciata
MIDGROUND
5 Hair Grass
5 Red Ludwigia
5 Red Ambulia
5 Vallis Corkscrew (sml)
5 Creeping Jenny
5 Aqua Fern
5 Rotala Macrandra
SPECIMEN PLANTS
3 Nymphea Stellata
1 Crinum Thianum
1 Clump Java Moss

This is a direct copy from a website says its ok for a 48" any thoughts?

Greg

 

[George Farmer]

That's an odd list, what a shame the supplier cannot name the plants properly.

For instance I do not know what Red Ivy, Red Water Rose, Green Water Rose, Stardust Ivy and Aqua Fern are.

The others sound ok, most are undemanding. You have such a broad selection that you will soon learn what suits your set up, whatever it may be in terms of light etc.

From experience I find it better to stick to larger quantities of three or four well-known easy species that are fast growing when setting up a planted tank. These can then be gradually replaced with more demanding species, appropriate to the set up (light, CO2 etc.)

Collections are ideal for the beginner who fancies an eclectic selection so they can see what suits. Unfortunately some collections may be filled with poor quality cuttings that need ideal growing conditions to stand a chance. Ironic that most beginners so not have such ideal growing conditions though.

What are your tank specs? Light, CO2, substrate etc.

 

[gsta13]

my tank is just as it came. the rio 240 no extra lights or anything i think he substrate i will be getting is sand with tab roots as you have suggested before, but with this many plants i will need alot i guess. what site do you get plants from George?
Maybe you could help me compile a list that will require little upkeep? i dont mind adding ferts but not so keen on the cost of te co2.
Thanks
Greg

 

[Themuleous]

For a 240lt tank I would get a substrate rather than using root tabs. You'll find it works out much cheaper, as root tabs cost a fortune and need changing every few months. A box of laterite wouldn't cost very much at all and will last years. Or the tropica substrate would be even better and again would be cheap and last years.

The best plants come from aquaessentials.co.uk which stock tropica plants, which are widely regarded as the best you can get, but they are more pricey, and you'll need lots for your tank. You could also try greenline, the quality isn't as good but the cost is lower and they do good collections if you want lots of plants. Or there is java plants or tropica/ aquarium plants.

Sam

 

[gsta13]

For a 240lt tank I would get a substrate rather than using root tabs. You'll find it works out much cheaper, as root tabs cost a fortune and need changing every few months. A box of laterite wouldn't cost very much at all and will last years. Or the tropica substrate would be even better and again would be cheap and last years.

The best plants come from aquaessentials.co.uk which stock tropica plants, which are widely regarded as the best you can get, but they are more pricey, and you'll need lots for your tank. You could also try greenline, the quality isn't as good but the cost is lower and they do good collections if you want lots of plants. Or there is java plants or tropica/ aquarium plants.

Sam

cheers sam that list is from java, ill have to have a look into the substrate then, how much would i need for a 240? i think i will go with that. substrate then sand/gravel. cheers
Greg

 

[Themuleous]

5lt of the tropica one would be enough, thats only £22.99 when its in stock. If it were me I'd get gravel, sand can be tricky and inevitably the substrate and gravel will mix over time, and this'll look stupid if you use sand IMHO. Normal gravel will hind this fact better in the long run

Sam

 

[gsta13]

5lt of the tropica one would be enough, thats only £22.99 when its in stock. If it were me I'd get gravel, sand can be tricky and inevitably the substrate and gravel will mix over time, and this'll look stupid if you use sand IMHO. Normal gravel will hind this fact better in the long run

Sam

ah ok thanks for the heads up on that.

what about this one
http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/index.php?...products_id=487
tht one look ok?

i guess i wouldnt have to cover the entire of my tank with it, just where the plants atr goin right?
Greg

 

[Themuleous]

Not used it myself, but I've heard of people who've had good results with that tetra substrate, might get around to trying it myself one day. Good colour as well.

You could just put it where the plants are, but what happens when you want to move the plants? and I'm sure you'll have some spare so might as well put it everywhere

Sam

 

[Glod]

I have the tetra substrate in my tank (under sand, but the colour / texture is very similar). Can't really comment on how good it is as the tank's only been running for 6 weeks as planted, all my plants are growing well and nice and green tho. The substrate itself has a texture like coarse sand / very fine gravel and is sandy coloured.