Transformation

[phishyphil]

Thank you so much phil for all of the input! it has been a great deal of help!

basically its me standing at the poolside WANTING to jump right in... but all i wanna do is dip my feet in! lol what i mean is i really like the 'natural' concept tanks and understand all of the benefits of live plants, but im not ready to take the plunge and go all out super planted! id rather get a few real easy plants to start out with and get the feel of things.

the ones you listed as hardy i have heard of before, so shouldnt be a problem finding.

I think in a way i do just need to 'dive in'. just try some things out!


I did check my lighting, still have the boxes. they are 15 watt, T8 floramax bulbs. I have one bulb over each side of the tank.


I will be doing a bunch of reading over the next few days per your advice and probably be making a trip to the city this weekend

again , thanks for all the help! if there are any other tips, hints, suggestions, please feel free to drop them in! Ill post some pitctures when i get things settled!

No worries mate, thats what the forums for. What Volume and size of tank do you have by the way? This way we can figure out your WPG (watt per gallon)input in your tank.

When you buy your plants, the best thing to do is trim them down to promote new growth, also, if they have roots, trim them slightly before you plant them, this once again will promote root growth. Check the link below for details

Check these pages out mate will be a massive help to you I think
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/298133-back-to-basics/
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/211715-pruning/

 

[thisguyek]

its a 55gal. 48X12X24. something like that, not exactly sure

 

[thisguyek]

hey phil...

can either the java ferns or anubias be attached to rocks? I've read in a few places that they can be... have you heard/experienced differently??

 

[mark2109111]

About three months ago, I ended up COMPLETELY redoing my tank. I was plagued by something... that almost wiped me clean out! I really had an itch to re-scape, so it was as good a time as any. Finally got around to putting some pics up been busy busy busy!!

The two plants front most and left back corner are fake... planning on taking them out in the near future, but Id like to figure what I wanna do first. Thinking about some grassy looking plants in front of the driftwood and maybe some nice tall corkscrews in the back.

So, we go from this:

To this:

O my gosh is that the legendary mt wna hak a lugy lol (finding nemo)


So if anyone has any ideas on what i could do for plants, or anything to better the tank, feel free to comment!!

 

[phishyphil]

hey phil...

can either the java ferns or anubias be attached to rocks? I've read in a few places that they can be... have you heard/experienced differently??

Yeah both can mate. All i do is Lay the roots in a crack or somewhere to keep them secure, then tie them on with fishing line. Some use cotton thread and hope that when it rots and breaks away the plant has stuck but i prefer to use fishing line and cut the line off when I KNOW it has attached mate

Just make sure not to tie the fishing line so hard you cut into the roots, Firm enough to hold it next to the woods is all it takes mate
Sp you got any plants yet for the tank and decided what your going with?

 

[thisguyek]

hey phil...

can either the java ferns or anubias be attached to rocks? I've read in a few places that they can be... have you heard/experienced differently??

Yeah both can mate. All i do is Lay the roots in a crack or somewhere to keep them secure, then tie them on with fishing line. Some use cotton thread and hope that when it rots and breaks away the plant has stuck but i prefer to use fishing line and cut the line off when I KNOW it has attached mate

Just make sure not to tie the fishing line so hard you cut into the roots, Firm enough to hold it next to the woods is all it takes mate
Sp you got any plants yet for the tank and decided what your going with?

yup finally jumped in and ordered some last night. bought two java ferns, two anubias nanas, and a few anacharis stems.

Planning to grow the ferns one on each side in the rocks, the nanas in the middle front of the wood, and the anacharis in the back obviously. From what ive read on the anacharis, itll be no time before i have a nice background! EVENTUALL... i would like the sides(rocks) to have several ferns on them. I realize this could take a while just hope they all take off! one of my swords is growing new leaves like crazy, while the other one hasnt given me one yet

Pretty excited about it. They should arrive middle of next week. will get updated pics when i'm done

 

[phishyphil]

hey phil...

can either the java ferns or anubias be attached to rocks? I've read in a few places that they can be... have you heard/experienced differently??

Yeah both can mate. All i do is Lay the roots in a crack or somewhere to keep them secure, then tie them on with fishing line. Some use cotton thread and hope that when it rots and breaks away the plant has stuck but i prefer to use fishing line and cut the line off when I KNOW it has attached mate

Just make sure not to tie the fishing line so hard you cut into the roots, Firm enough to hold it next to the woods is all it takes mate
Sp you got any plants yet for the tank and decided what your going with?

yup finally jumped in and ordered some last night. bought two java ferns, two anubias nanas, and a few anacharis stems.

Planning to grow the ferns one on each side in the rocks, the nanas in the middle front of the wood, and the anacharis in the back obviously. From what ive read on the anacharis, itll be no time before i have a nice background! EVENTUALL... i would like the sides(rocks) to have several ferns on them. I realize this could take a while just hope they all take off! one of my swords is growing new leaves like crazy, while the other one hasnt given me one yet

Pretty excited about it. They should arrive middle of next week. will get updated pics when i'm done

 

[thisguyek]

hey phil, another questions!


This time its about my sword plants. I've noticed a few new leaves coming up already brown. Is this what they call melting? I've noticed it in one plant more than the other. As soon as the leaves are big enough, I have been pulling them out.

Any Suggestions?

 

[phishyphil]

hey phil, another questions!


This time its about my sword plants. I've noticed a few new leaves coming up already brown. Is this what they call melting? I've noticed it in one plant more than the other. As soon as the leaves are big enough, I have been pulling them out.

Any Suggestions?

I wouldnt have thought you would have brown "NEW GROWTH", I would keeo an eye on it for the next week or so for any Green new growth. IF none emerges, I would place Plant Root Tabs Beneath the roots of the swords. These plants are heavy root feeders in myopinion, and only had success with them if they are either in a dirt substrate mix, or with root tabs mate. Take a photo of the plant if you can so I can have a look pal

 

[thisguyek]

Here are a few pics. I hope you can see what I'm talking about!

Those fert tabs... can they be found at LFSs or are they the same thing what you would use in household plants?

 

[This Old Spouse]

First of all, WHAT AN IMPROVEMENT! Your tank is really starting to look good!

Second, just a quick word about attaching plants. I used to use fishing line, and once I had an albino cory get tangled up in it and almost died, so from that point on I started using Super Glue. I was hesitant at first, but now I'll never switch again.

Keep up the great work!

 

[thisguyek]

First of all, WHAT AN IMPROVEMENT! Your tank is really starting to look good!

Second, just a quick word about attaching plants. I used to use fishing line, and once I had an albino cory get tangled up in it and almost died, so from that point on I started using Super Glue. I was hesitant at first, but now I'll never switch again.

Keep up the great work!

thanks so much! I can be honest when i say i learned everything from this website! I am much happier with my tank now for two reasons... one: my fish are staying alive and two: my tank is much less cluttered and actually looks thought out!


as far as super gluing plants down... any more pointers? just goop it and drop it? lol do i need to soak it for a while or can it go straight in the tank? and are there certain brands better than other, or are they all safe to go in?

 

[This Old Spouse]

as far as super gluing plants down... any more pointers? just goop it and drop it? lol do i need to soak it for a while or can it go straight in the tank? and are there certain brands better than other, or are they all safe to go in?

You need to make sure the Super Glue is cyanoacrylate, period. And all I do is kind of gently daub everything with a paper towel so it's not dripping wet. Then put a few drops of SG where I want my plant, then CAREFULLY put the roots or rhizome on the glue and hold for a few seconds. The careful part comes in not gluing your fingers to the wood! Just wait a little bit until the glue has set, a couple minutes, then pop the works in the tank. Once it hits the water it's set for good.

Be sure to post more photos!

 

[thisguyek]

as far as super gluing plants down... any more pointers? just goop it and drop it? lol do i need to soak it for a while or can it go straight in the tank? and are there certain brands better than other, or are they all safe to go in?

You need to make sure the Super Glue is cyanoacrylate, period. And all I do is kind of gently daub everything with a paper towel so it's not dripping wet. Then put a few drops of SG where I want my plant, then CAREFULLY put the roots or rhizome on the glue and hold for a few seconds. The careful part comes in not gluing your fingers to the wood! Just wait a little bit until the glue has set, a couple minutes, then pop the works in the tank. Once it hits the water it's set for good.

Be sure to post more photos!

when you say make sure the Super Glue is cyanoacrylate... where do i find if it is? ingredients or what.

It does seem to make more sense to do it that way, then you dont have to worry about going back to cut strings out or cutting them too early.

Will Definitely post more pics

 

[phishyphil]

Good Morning pal

Can't comment on the super glue pal, but the plants would benefit here from root tabs, and yeah your LFS will stock these pal