Tank Plant Composition.

[Danbarb]

My tank has plants where I thought they would look good, but just want some ideas about composition, etc. It doesn't look right but I'm not sure if it's because I need to wait till the plants grow a lot more?

My valliseria gigantis has been quite a grower for me, and I just planted some new plants today. Perhaps I have too much ludwiga? Not sure! Something doesn't look quite right. Any suggestions I would be very grateful for.

Thank-you.

EDIT: Sorry just realised meant to post this in the planted section, apologies. If a mod could move it for me I would be grateful.

 

[ian]

Welcome to the planted section, this is how most of us start off with plants, Dan. The 'chuck em in method', personally i think this is the best method to start with. This is how you learn to grow plants. There's a couple of things in your tank, personally i would change. I would take the lead weights from around the bottom of the plants, this will give the root structure chance to do what it's supposed to (you have left them on haven't you?lol). The next is to try and aim to get a area in the tank that'll fit in with the 'golden ratio' have a read here.

PS do you what is that plant on the far left??

pps is that algae in the bogwood?

 

[Danbarb]

OH. "insert swear word here".

I left lead weight on only one of the plants, the rest I just pushed into the substrate. The baby tears plants were extremely awkward to get into the soil (and get them to remain there) but managed this.

The bogwood on the right does have algae on it, rather a lot. (However that greenish look I think looks natural and OK) I'm finding that when I do get a little outbreak of algae that I control it tends to come from that area. Is that the algae sort of spreading to the valliseria gigantis? If it is, that bogwood is coming right out and being bleached (only a little bleach 5 percent, and scrubbed) then thoroughly rinsed! (In tapwater with conditioner rather a lot afterwards)

Plant far left that looks like long grass is Cyperus Helferi. The one floating is frogbit.

I'll read about golden ratio, I have a feeling it's the same as when I studied photography. (rule of thirds, etc) Thanks. That is a good starting point.

Do you think I should remove the green algae on the bogwood on the right, to prevent an outbreak? I've noticed that area of the tank does attract some algae but also it's where the Co2 diffuses to - so I possibly need more circular flow in the tank to diffuse the co2 around the tank more evenly. (I have a koralia nano I can put to work on this). The green on the crack of the bogwood is actually moss, that's been there for over a year!

PS: Just read rule of thirds applies to dutch style tanks. Which originally was my idea, as to be honest (no offence to the dutch stylers) it is sort of mentally chucked in plants that are allowed to "overgrow" which to me sounds easier. However, I am open to suggestions and really just want my tank to have a focal point so am reading and doing the formulae for my tank for focal point placement!

 

[Danbarb]

Read through that link, it was extremely helpful. My target is a jungle style scape now. I have a lot of hard work ahead of me, this wasn't quite as easy as I thought it would be!

It's a bit like floristry in a fish tank!

I think what I might do is work out what plants I have already, write them all down and create an excel chart based on S-M-L. (Small medium or large growers) and L/B leggy or bushy. Then draw a picture on paper of what I want to do, and try and arrange my tank around that. I never sort of thought of putting more leggy/taller plants in front, as it seemed a bad move... but some of those scapes look amazing with tall plants in front.

New project time! On another note, I just got an Aquael 30 litre tank. That is going to have to wait! Haha! It'd be ok to do some plant transfers to that tank if my main tank has extra cuttings I'd imagine?