Need Some Help With Plant Stocking List

[lillykinloo]

Hi everyone! I have really enjoyed looking at everyone's beautiful pictures on this thread...very inspriational! I am a newbie, and I'm in the process of cycling my tank (on week 3 now). I originally thought that live plants would be too difficult for me, but now that I'm learning more and more about this hobby, I've learned how beautiful and beneficial live plants can be in my tank. So, I've decided to do a mixture of live plants with some silk plants. I've already invested a lot of money into my current tank, so I really can't afford to switch the lighting or add a CO2 injection system at this point in time. I can do more inexpensive things like changing substrate or purchasing fertilizer, so these things are an option for me. I have a 37 gallon "tall" tank. The substrate is black gravel. The lighting is two flourescent bulbs (I have no idea what the wattage is; unfortunately, it's not listed on the bulb). The temperature is set at 78 degrees. My plan is to stock the tank with 5-6 Cory Cats, 5 Diamond Tetras, 3 Pearl Gouramis (1 male & 2 females), and a pair of Killifish striatum. I have one piece of bogwood right now and a piece of mopani wood on order.

Here is what I have ordered for my tank so far: 4 two inch patches of Christmas moss, 1 bunch of Philippine Java Fern (1 bunch=40 leaves), 1 bunch of Java Moss (1 bunch=1 cup), and 3 Mopani balls (I love the look of mossy, lush aquariums-can you tell )

Ok, now here are my questions:

1. I've read that 50% of my plants should be live plants to prevent algea. Is this true?
2. I would like to add some other low-light requirement plants. I've read that anubias, vallisnaria, and ludwigia repens are good options for me. Is this correct? Or, are there other plants that you would recommend for me?
3. My Diamond Tetras, Gouramis, and Killifish all prefer some floating plants to shelter from the overhead lighting. Are there any live floating plants that would be suitable for my aquarium? (I currently have a plastic floating plant that really doesn't look bad at all, but it only covers up 1/2 of the surface. If possible, I'd like to get one other smallish live plant to float on top.)
4. Will the floating plants interfere with the other plants getting enough light?
5. Do I need to change my substrate?
6. I am terrified of algea. What can I do to prevent this? (I read Zig's Estimative Index article & George Wagner's Pinned Algea article, but both of these seem to be written for high tech tank set-ups)

Sorry for the tons of questions, but thank you so much for any advice you can offer! Best Regards!

 

[lillykinloo]

Just a little update: I also purchased 2 anubias plants after doing some more research. Can anyone help me figure out if I should add floating plants, and if so, what floating plants would be appropriate for my aquarium? Thanks again!

 

[George Farmer]

1. I've read that 50% of my plants should be live plants to prevent algea. Is this true?

Yes. 100% live plants is better though, covering most of the substrate.

2. I would like to add some other low-light requirement plants. I've read that anubias, vallisnaria, and ludwigia repens are good options for me. Is this correct? Or, are there other plants that you would recommend for me?

Yes. See hear too - http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=22604

3. My Diamond Tetras, Gouramis, and Killifish all prefer some floating plants to shelter from the overhead lighting. Are there any live floating plants that would be suitable for my aquarium? (I currently have a plastic floating plant that really doesn't look bad at all, but it only covers up 1/2 of the surface. If possible, I'd like to get one other smallish live plant to float on top.)

Duckweed is popular but can quickly over run. It's good if controlled. Riccia, water lettuce, Amazon frogbit, Salvania natans are others I can think of.

4. Will the floating plants interfere with the other plants getting enough light?

To an extent, depending on your lighting level. Control its growth by removing excess.

5. Do I need to change my substrate?

No. You could add root tab to target plants with roots.

6. I am terrified of algea. What can I do to prevent this? (I read Zig's Estimative Index article & George Wagner's Pinned Algea article, but both of these seem to be written for high tech tank set-ups)

Heavy planting with appropriate species for your lighting etc.

Good luck.

 

[lillykinloo]

1. I've read that 50% of my plants should be live plants to prevent algea. Is this true?

Yes. 100% live plants is better though, covering most of the substrate.

2. I would like to add some other low-light requirement plants. I've read that anubias, vallisnaria, and ludwigia repens are good options for me. Is this correct? Or, are there other plants that you would recommend for me?

Yes. See hear too - http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=22604

3. My Diamond Tetras, Gouramis, and Killifish all prefer some floating plants to shelter from the overhead lighting. Are there any live floating plants that would be suitable for my aquarium? (I currently have a plastic floating plant that really doesn't look bad at all, but it only covers up 1/2 of the surface. If possible, I'd like to get one other smallish live plant to float on top.)

Duckweed is popular but can quickly over run. It's good if controlled. Riccia, water lettuce, Amazon frogbit, Salvania natans are others I can think of.

4. Will the floating plants interfere with the other plants getting enough light?

To an extent, depending on your lighting level. Control its growth by removing excess.

5. Do I need to change my substrate?

No. You could add root tab to target plants with roots.

6. I am terrified of algea. What can I do to prevent this? (I read Zig's Estimative Index article & George Wagner's Pinned Algea article, but both of these seem to be written for high tech tank set-ups)

Heavy planting with appropriate species for your lighting etc.

Good luck.

Thank you for your help George! This is most helpful!!