Plant Suggestions And General Scaping Help Please

[spongy]

Here is my 180l tank as it stands.........

I've only in the last 2 weeks upgraded to T5 lights and have had to do an emergency filter change today due to a failure.

I'd like to add more plants but I don't know which ones. I have Amazon swords in there, my Vallis is struggling and I have some java fern, a moss ball and the tangly one rear left, with 2 other unknowns, but its still looking a bit empty so what can I add in?

I've been thinking about maybe a smaller piece of wood to go front right with some java moss on it?

My LFS is rubbish with their plants so I need to buy online, I'm by no means a plant expert so if people could post up a pic with the name then I know what I can ask for when ordering!!!!

Cheers peeps

 

[shepherd88]

I tell you what sand substrate would make this tank really stand out pal....

 

[spongy]

I tell you what sand substrate would make this tank really stand out pal....

Cheers for the compliment

When I bought this set up I got it second hand and it came with white coral gravel which I originally used but didn't like it so I changed to this fine black quartz gravel only 2 months ago. I was really torn between this or sand and chose this as its dark and stops light reflecting up, I think personally the dark gravel brings out the colours of the fish and plants better...a bit harder to keep clean but I like it.

Any plant recommendations?

I've been doing a bit of reading and am thinking of a star grass? Just need something to fill in the holes in the background and some middle size for mid tank......

 

[shepherd88]

Im only a few months into the hobby myself pal so im no expert on plants ....i have java fern, anubias, amazon sword and a few others in ky tank my favourite being anubias....get yourself some and attach it with fishing wire to the wood...i did this tonight when i rescaped my tank...big leaved plant and mine has lasted months without any plant additives

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Dwarf sag is easy to care for and will spread with runners to fill in the gaps nicely.

Pic here.

http/www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http/www.plantgeek.net/images/plantpics/sagcarpet.jpg&imgrefurl=http/www.plantgeek.net/plant-189.htm&h=480&w=640&sz=156&tbnid=f3_QB3GnutBlDM:&tbnh=92&tbnw=122&prev=/search%3Fq%3Ddwarf%2Bsag%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=dwarf+sag&usg=__hTy3gObpHoVOLtUBFS7gxwrg584=&docid=gPwwP3ivFXLcHM&sa=X&ei=n9jeUPv-H8jM0AWv64CQDQ&ved=0CDUQ9QEwAA&dur=634

 

[spongy]

Dwarf sag is easy to care for and will spread with runners to fill in the gaps nicely.

Pic here.

http/www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http/www.plantgeek.net/images/plantpics/sagcarpet.jpg&imgrefurl=http/www.plantgeek.net/plant-189.htm&h=480&w=640&sz=156&tbnid=f3_QB3GnutBlDM:&tbnh=92&tbnw=122&prev=/search%3Fq%3Ddwarf%2Bsag%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=dwarf+sag&usg=__hTy3gObpHoVOLtUBFS7gxwrg584=&docid=gPwwP3ivFXLcHM&sa=X&ei=n9jeUPv-H8jM0AWv64CQDQ&ved=0CDUQ9QEwAA&dur=634

I really like the look of that, where do you planted guys buy your plants from? I'm really limited down here in stores so could do with a reputable online source......

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Lol your like 30 mins from me, I get mine from aquarium gardening, aqua essentials and some from maidenhead aquatics. There is a good maidenhead aquatics in Crawley just up the road from you.

 

[spongy]

Lol your like 30 mins from me, I get mine from aquarium gardening, aqua essentials and some from maidenhead aquatics. There is a good maidenhead aquatics in Crawley just up the road from you.

I didn't realise you we're so close, I've only ever used maidenhead at Hickstead as its closest, or the one at Brighton race course, I'm a bit indifferent about MA I bought 2 swordtails from them on the 21st dec and they're both dead already, don't know if it was me or them but i hope it's not my fault. Fishey Business in Portslade is better for plants but even they have limited stocks, perhaps a mutual visit is in order if you live this close? Only for my benefit obviously as you know a lot more than me,

And yes I'm still sulking about our result tonight

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Lol maybe, next time I visit my sister maybe we can check it out, she lives in Brighton so it's on my way home.