Low-Tech Tanks

[Shaman]

Hi

I'm quite new to this fish keeping malarky and am looking at adding a few plants to my tank. Im starting to like the natural look and I'm sure my fish'll appreciate it!

Currently ive got a few java fern fronds which seem to be thriving. Two new shoots coming up of the rhizome and each of the leaves has a couple of daughters on (when will these detach?).

I'm wanting to add a few more plants in a lo-tech setup and after reading a few articles on here was thinking a bit of java moss, some more java fern and some cabomba. The substrate is gravel but I'm looking at changing it for sand. The lights are 2 x 35w T5s (I think!).

Current stock is 6 x Silver Tipped Tetras and 1 x Bristlenose. I'm going to get a couple of Bolivian Rams in the future. Will these leave my plants alone?

Can anyone add any more suggestions?

Cheers

Shaman Dan

 

[Ashley1991]

vallis (twisted and normal) anubias nana and berta (or something like that)java moss java fern and i have something else in my 2 low tech tanks but no idea what there called sorry lol

ash

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

Currently ive got a few java fern fronds which seem to be thriving. Two new shoots coming up of the rhizome and each of the leaves has a couple of daughters on (when will these detach?).

Just pull them off when they are big enough. I've pulled a few tiny ones off and put them in another tank and they are doing fine; although I'd advise pulling them off when they are a big bigger. They come off really easily.

 

[GrayScale]

Hat size tank have you got? I know cabomba usually likes medium lighting to properly grow. The valliscwould be a great addition. Most anubias can grow in lower light but should be attached to bogwood or a rock for best growth. Java moss will grow in any lighting but it takes about a month or so to really start growing. I've got something in my display tank now that grows tall and pretty fast I'll have to look it up and get back to you.

 

[GrayScale]

Hygrophila Angustifolia

it says moderate lighting required for this plant but I have about 2.5 wpg and dose with tpn+ daily and it grows fine. It's very easy to split too. Just have to cut the stem. Remove leaves off the bottom and plant into the substrate. Within less a week it'll have a healthy root system and grow about an inch with new leaf growth.

Live Aquaria

have a gander at that link. They some good stuff and I've ordered from them before. It's nice since they have the filtering function to narrow down the types of plants your looking for.

 

[Shaman]

Thanks for the answers!

The tank is 180l and now has two Bolivian Rams (Since this morning!!)

I currently have the lights on between 12pm and 4pm (4 hours) after I had a major algal bloom. I suppose I can up the hours now, espcially as my Bristlenose keeps the algae in check.

I think I'll spend some time this weekend having a good look and a "re-plan" of my tank. I sort of rushed into buying ornaments for it!

This is my tank, with the Java fern attached to the bog wood.

Any planting suggestions would be appreciated! I'm definately going to replace the plastic "ferns" on the stone archways with java fern and add a bit of java moss to the bogwood/bristlenose cave.

Shaman Dan

 

[GrayScale]

That fern looks great lots of little plantlets on it. As mentioned before, you can separate them from the leaf manually and replant the little ones. Just take a littl caution and be sure not to damage or bruise the rhizome otherwise it won't grow properly or might die. I've been thinking of a rescape myself and lucky for me, there is a convention/ auction 20 minutes from my house this weekend. Hoping to pick up some new plants and fish.

Hornwort is a fast grower as well and it's good to have if you have algea problems since it outcompetes it. Do you dose with any ferts or nutrients?

 

[Shaman]

No ferts or nutrients. Would I need these if I increased the planting (I assume so as they'll be competing for the nitrates!) What do you recommend and how much for a lo-tech tank.

I originally just bought the java fern to help get rid of the ammonia whilst my tank was fish-in cycling. With the algae problem, I originally had the lights on for 12 hours with plenty of ammonia so it went mad.

The java fern was going to be a short term thing but it's grown on me! (pun intended!)

I'd quite like some plants that'll sway gently in the current!

Shaman Dan

 

[GrayScale]

Ferts aren't usually necessary but plants grow faster and overall look a little more healthy.

Algea is to be expected in fresh cycling or cycled tanks it should go away as fast as it came. Ive had brown hair algea and diatoms in my display for about a two weeks and it just disappeared.

The spiral vallis and the plant I linked above are some of my favorite tall low light plants. They're easy to clean up to if some leaves fall off in a strong current unlike some of the tall plants with needles that get everywhere. Keep it upvthe tank looks good. Keep us updated on the rescape if youdecide to pick up new plants

 

[Shaman]

I've just rehomed some of the java fern daughters! Added two clumps to my bog wood and another to the fake fern clump. Nothing to tie them down with so I hope they anchor soon. I've strategically placed them in crevices! We'll soon see.

I'm going to pop into my local pets@home (for a veggy clip) as it's convenient too work. I'll see if they have any spirallis. Just off too google it's requirements but does this need any particular care?

Shaman

 

[GrayScale]

Just light and fish poop.

have a look at flourish or tpn+. Can't remember the full name for it but that's the abbrv. It definately helps plant growth and color.

 

[Shaman]

Update!

Not much has happened yet! Had a bit of a break over Christmas.

Had a bit of a problem with the Java Fern, some of the tall leaves turned a browny colour and started to rot so I've removed these (they were the original leaves). However there is plenty of new growth on all over the tank from the ferns.

I'm going to have a look at getting some Spiral Vallis and some Hornwort. I'm also going to look at getting some ferts (TPN+). I'll post some pictures when I get around to it!

*edit* Is this stuff any good? http/www.aquamania.co.uk/product.asp?numRecordPosition=1&P_ID=1811&strPageHistory=cat&strKeywords=&SearchFor=&PT_ID=115

Cheers

Shaman Dan