Inspired For Some Plants!

[abz311]

Hi people,

I've been running my 180ltr tank for just over a month. I have around 50 small fishes but most of them are neon tetra. Well, after looking through the forum, I've been inspired to put plants into the tank.

But I have a few questions before I get carried away...

1. I don't want to plant the whole tank, just around a quarter. Can i do this?
2. Will the stones I have be okay for plants?
3. I would like to plant a triangle where the three live plants are in the corner (pic below), now do I take the plants i buy and place them into the stones (I feel they are too big for the roots to thrive) or do I make a triangle mesh and plant them in there and then place them on the rocks. Any other suggestions will be much appreciated.
4. Can I place all the plants into the tank while the fish are still in there, also by placing all the plants will this affect the water anyway?
5. I would like a lawn look where the rocks and the planted area will meet, which plant can I use also how would i go about planting this?
6. How many plants would I need to fill this corner? Also which plants would people recommend for a beginner?
7. Is there anything else i should consider before I go and buy?
   

Many thanks

 

[minnnt]

There is nothing wrong with planting a small amount of the tank, it can be very effective. My only advice would be to buy quality, rooted plants rather than cuttings. More money, but worth it imo.

 

[SLIM]

Agreed rooted plants do take alot easier. Having said that all stems will come as cuttings. Theirs nothing really wrong with cutting just that some are extremely hard to grow and will start to die almost straight away if the conditions aint right. Other stems will go bananas and grow instantly dispite being cuttings. The plants you use all depends on your experience and how far you want to go

As for your other questions... Your gravel is fine to plant in but if it concerns you that much, replace it with finer gravel or sand.
Yes you can plant with your fish in the tank and no it wont effect your water.
To get a lawn effect you can use Lilaeopsis Brasiliensis, dwarf hair grass or even moss on a net like java moss or xmas moss.
The only other thing to consider is ferts. A good trace mix like Seachem Florish or Easylifes Profito. I wouldnt bother with Seachem florish excel(liquid carbon) just yet until you get a little more experience

 

[abz311]

Great, thanks for the reply guys. I will defo go and get some plants next week, I'm going to place them in a mesh first and then cover them with the gravel.

I was also wondering...
How would i go about cleaning when I have planted them?
What sort of conditions will be good for cuttings to thrive?

Also the 3 live plants are starting to turn brown on the tip of the leaves only after placing them in 3 days ago. help!
They are bunched together...would be a good idea to take them apart and place them into the gravel...or is it best to leave them bunched up...

Sorry for the trivial questions.....feel like a complete noob

thanks once again!!

 

[SLIM]

Great, thanks for the reply guys. I will defo go and get some plants next week, I'm going to place them in a mesh first and then cover them with the gravel.

I was also wondering...
How would i go about cleaning when I have planted them?
What sort of conditions will be good for cuttings to thrive?

Also the 3 live plants are starting to turn brown on the tip of the leaves only after placing them in 3 days ago. help!
They are bunched together...would be a good idea to take them apart and place them into the gravel...or is it best to leave them bunched up...

Sorry for the trivial questions.....feel like a complete noob

thanks once again!!

When it comes to cleaning, just hover your syphon just about your substrate where your plants are. Iv got so many plants that iv actually stopped substrate syphoning. The crud that builds up under the substrate will act as food for your plants. Clean as well as you can tho where you dont have plants by pushing your syphon deep into your substrate

When i said "conditions" for stems, some like high PH, some like low, some like soft water, some like hard and some require CO2 to thrive and grow.
As your just starting out with plants i strongy advise you stick to easy to grow plants, at least for now until you get more experience

Good easy to grow stems are..

Ambulia Aquatica
Cabomba aquatica
Hornwort (can be planted but does best as a floater)
Bacopa Monniera
Elodea Densa
Bacopa Caroliniana

These will come as cutting but they shoud take and grow quickly.

As for rooted plants..

Crinum Thaianum
Crypt Wendtii
Crypt Lucens
Crypt Ciliata
Echinodorus Rose
Java Fern
Amazon sword (some people do have trouble with this but i never have)

What 3 plants are browning?
To be honest it doesnt matter if your plants are bunched close together or miles apart as long as they are recieving light.
Browning this soon after planting is common, some plants take awhile to adjust to your water resulting in brown dead leaves. Keep a close eye on them for now, if the new shoots start to go brown and rot then its probably either a Potassium or Iron deficiency.
A good plant fertilizer like Seachem Florish, Easylife Profito or TPN will contain these. Like i said before, try n stay away from Florish excel and TPN+ for the time being