How Can I Improve This Setup?

[giganova]

Hi there!

Do you have any ideas how I could improve my 29 gallon (US) setup? I like lush planted tanks, but the rocks take away a lot of space, and the fish seem to like the hiding places.

Cheers!

 

[cane76]

i think it looks sweet as it is sand would look better tho

 

[giganova]

i think it looks sweet as it is sand would look better tho

I agree, sand would have been better ... but it too late now. Not sure if I should get rid of one of the stones on the right-hand side and put more plants in it.

 

[Ginge]

Nice tank being honest id say
1-change to a natural substrate
2-get rid of the saltwater seashells and the fake stone
3-get a few more plants to fill up the background

 

[Fillet 'O' Fish]

Your tank looks great m8
I would also suggest loosing the shells...they do look a little tacky. The stones on the left look great though. Some tall plants at the back would look good.
I think your fine gravel looks Ok, Despite what people say you can get good results with plants in ordinary gravel so long as you keep up Co2 and add plant fertilisers like the Seachem Flourish, and root tabs for your amazon swords etc.
If you check my journal in the planted section, you can see how I started with a tank similar to yours and now it looks like an overgrown jungle.

My planted journal

 

[giganova]

Fillet 'O Fish: I just read your diary, which is frantastic and very helpful, especially since you have almost the exact same setup -- even our rock caves look the same! I, too, have a pair of Gouramis, and the same plant who's leaves are floating at the surface of the water. What plants are those?? I found mine in an outdoor pond and they growing like crazy.

I have a "high-light" tank with 4 watt/galon, I guess. During the first month, the plants were growing nicely, but now plant growth seems to have stopped and I am getting a hair algea proglem. However, I have no CO2 injection (couldn't afford a $150 kit so far). Since I read in your diary that Co2 reduces the Ph level (mine is 7.6), I will consider this.

I agree with you and will get rid of the shells, the artificial stones and put some more higher plants in the background. I will also add Co2 injection to enhance plant growth.

 

[Fillet 'O' Fish]

Fillet 'O Fish: I just read your diary, which is frantastic and very helpful, especially since you have almost the exact same setup -- even our rock caves look the same! I, too, have a pair of Gouramis, and the same plant who's leaves are floating at the surface of the water. What plants are those?? I found mine in an outdoor pond and they growing like crazy.

I have a "high-light" tank with 4 watt/galon, I guess. During the first month, the plants were growing nicely, but now plant growth seems to have stopped and I am getting a hair algea proglem. However, I have no CO2 injection (couldn't afford a $150 kit so far). Since I read in your diary that Co2 reduces the Ph level (mine is 7.6), I will consider this.

I agree with you and will get rid of the shells, the artificial stones and put some more higher plants in the background. I will also add Co2 injection to enhance plant growth.

Try adding some Seachem Flourish and fourish Excell. This will help to feed your plants and hopefully remove your hair Algae problem. It cleared mine up. It will also help with the yellow spots on your amazon sword leaves, which is a sign of iron deficiency. tr adding some root tabs under your sword roots.

 

[giganova]

I just came back from my aquarium store, added root tabs to the amazone swords, bought Flourish and installed a Co2 injection system. Lets see how that turns out!

 

[Fillet 'O' Fish]

Good luck m8 Keep us posted on progress.