My First Journal....

[Fish_Newb]

Actually, I lied, it's my first fish tank, planted or unplanted!!

A very kind soul recently advised me to create a journal after answering a few questions I had, and well, here I am.

Fundamentals:

Aquarium: 25L (6.6USG) Corner Tank.
Lighting: 1x 8W (1.21 WPG)
Filtration: Sponge Filter with TetraTec APS 50 Airpump
Heating: Interpet 25 Watt
Substrate: 4kg White Gravel
Additives: What do I need?
Plants: Not decided (Need help) Currently: Java Moss and Cabomba ordered. In Tank: Amazon sword? There are 7 shorter stems and the rest will be cut off as its grown quickly.
Fish/Inverts: Originally a Betta tank. However, I am now 90% settled on either a Dwarf Puffer Tank, Scarlet Danios or some form of Rasboras. All with 5ish Cherry Shimp.

Picture (Bear with me)


The idea is...
1) The filter attached to the tank will be removed once some of the bacteria have passed to the sponge filter.
2) Heater will be moved to left hand side.
3) A 'wall' of Cabomba inbetween Sword and the sponge filter to hide it somewhat.
4) The bogwood will be cleaned, weird vine thing taken off. Whether I attached moss to this is to be decided; I may just bin it.
5) I have around 10 of the rocks around the Sword leftover. They will be turned in to a rocky mountain effect (I hope) where the heater is now, with the bottom layer covered in moss and then a 'blanket' from there to the centre ish of the tank; only the left hand corner will remain white gravel. The Moss will either be on a custom shaped piece of plastic (guid on UKAPS) or on slate. I think the slate and white gravel will blende nicely.
6) I think a slightly redder plant inbetween where the sponge filter is now and where the rocks will add some much needed colour other than green. I would like to be fairly tall, thin leaved but very bushy and dense. Hopefully it can tower over the cabomba. I'll try and find a picture of something that is similar to what I mean.

Hopefully that all makes sense. The Cabomba should arrive tomorrow so I'll add another pic once I have added it.

Any questions or suggestions, fire away!!

Ross,

 

[Biulu]

What about red rotala to get colour? It grows quick, will be able to keep up with the cabomba and is easy to maintain. You simply cut off large ends and stick them into your substrate again.

 

[flyhawk]

rotala indica-grows fast, good color

sword might get big?....idk
i would get some fert tabs under the sword, and if you get stem plants look at doing DIY co2

 

[Truck]

I doubt red rotala will grow, for it to maintain the red colour it needs intense light, because it's red, it lacks chlorophyll so therefore needs more light to photosynthesize properly, if this light isn't available more chloroplasts are produced in the cells in order for them to photosynthesize faster, which is why it will be a green colour.

If you want a red plant try cryptocoryne wendtii red or mi oya.

 

[flyhawk]

normally i wouldnt argue with you truck, but rotala has been extremely easy to take care of for me, even without ferts or co2
just saying other wise i would say you were right!

plus, i would like to see some new pics, see how its going!!!!

 

[Truck]

Is it remaining red?

 

[flyhawk]

look at my journal add judge that for youiself

 

[lljdma06]

What about red rotala to get colour? It grows quick, will be able to keep up with the cabomba and is easy to maintain. You simply cut off large ends and stick them into your substrate again.

Rotala rotundifolia is good. Which is similar to red rotala and rotala indica. Mine blushed a nice salmon in a non-CO2 environment.

llj