What Am I Missing/how Can I Improve?

[xamy_valox]

Hiya,
I recently re-scaped my tank after losing a load of fish and replacing my filter with a much better one. I am pleased with the outcome but I still feel its lacking, mainly in the plant department, and would like some advice as to what plants to add.
This is what it looks like at the moment:

Its a 125 litre Roma. I took a couple of plants out that we're just behind the bogwood on the right infront of the filter as the roots had died and were floating about. I want to bush that area out a lot more but don't know what to use? I also don't like the rocks I have in the middle and am considering some slate as I am hoping I get a Plec in a few weeks.
I love my two pieces of wood and their positions and really dont like backgrounds on tanks, but other than that I am open I opinion!

Also, if anyone wants to suggest any fish that would look good I would appreciate it!
Current stocking is:
1 Angel
7 Neon Tetra
6 Harlequin Rasbora
5 Platinum Tetra (going to be rehomed if I can catch the buggers!)
1 Large Platy
8 Corydora

I am definitely getting a pair of GBR's and am leaning towards a Pearl Gourami, but I am open to suggestions as to what Plec to get but I am quite smitten with butterfly plecs.

Thanks

 

[LucyB]

I think some moss/Anubias on the wood would look great!

 

[gregswimm]

I agree anubias would look good, you can stick them on the rocks (anubias shouldn't be buried past the rhizome). I would also move the val you have on the right to under the heater and put a sword in its place.

Panaque maccus would be a good plec to get.

Make sure your tank has been up for a while before you get any type of pleco, they create a TON of waste.

Also put iron rich root tabs under the plants with roots but put them heaviest under the vals and swords if you get any.

 

[Tuxyu3]

Some java fern, moss or anubias on the wood should do ok and would look nice. That space in the middle could fit a nice amazon sword or indian fern/wisteria.

 

[gregswimm]

Some java fern, moss or anubias on the wood should do ok and would look nice. That space in the middle could fit a nice amazon sword or indian fern/wisteria.

I disagree about the sword in the middle, an acent/center piece never goes in the middle of anything. Rule of thirds

 

[xamy_valox]

I was thinking of a short plant for the middle, but something that will bush outward a rather than upwards! And yeah I love the look of swords and Anubias. How do I attach the Anubias?

 

[Tuxyu3]

How do I attach the Anubias?

I recommend fishing wire or cotton string.

Gregswimm, i am familiar with the rule of thirds but the space does not look very central to me and even if it is the plant does not have to be put in the middle of the space in the middle, if that makes sense

 

[xamy_valox]

Ok so I went to 3 fish shops today and got very plant happy haha. I've bought more than I needed really but I'm not very good with my plants and so I expect some of them to wither and die =\

Here is as it looks after the new plants:

The Anubias is there, on the corner of the large bogwood, I'm hoping it will creep upwards and I can then remove the pot. I'm not as keen on the bushy plant far left, when it grows taller it might look nicer perhaps but all the rest of the plants were pretty short and got lost behind there. There are also a couple of java ferns that I have put in the sand. Will this be ok? They are infront and behind the wood, I just didn't want them attached to the wood as I prefer the Anubias to do that. I don't know what the plant is in the middle but love how it flows. My vallis are a bit bunched now but like I say, we'll see how it goes and might do another rearrange.

Got some slate aswell in place of the pebbles, for free! As I only wanted small bits they let me off and let me have it for free haha. What do you guys think?

 

[Tuxyu3]

Java fern need water flow over the roots or they will rot and die, the rhizome (root) can not be buried. Looks very nice otherwise

 

[xamy_valox]

Ahh, so it needs to be attached to the wood? Poo

I'll have to see if I can stick it somewhere tomorrow then. Would it be ok attached to a rock rather than my wood? That way it can stay where it is, but the roots wouldn't be buried?
Thanks

 

[Zikofski]

aaw wow looks stunning love the angel hmm if that was my tank i would try and hide my heater with something not sure what tho?

amazon swords may look good at the back?

 

[LucyB]

Woaaah the angel fish is in the exact same position in both pictures...

 

[xamy_valox]

I thought that Lucy haha! It tends to hang out there the most.
I am hoping that the plant in the middle will grow a bit taller and cover the heater? I couldn't find any amazon swords other than one near the filter which is very short at the moment.

 

[gregswimm]

Ok so I went to 3 fish shops today and got very plant happy haha. I've bought more than I needed really but I'm not very good with my plants and so I expect some of them to wither and die =\

Here is as it looks after the new plants:
There are also a couple of java ferns that I have put in the sand. Will this be ok?

There is no reason any of them should die.

Java ferns should be mounted. They will rot in the ground. Also, make sure the rhizome of the anubias is above the ground. Anubias also grow very very very slowly, don't expect them to creep anywhere anytime soon.

Also, nothing wrong with how you have your vals planted, they do better all bunched up.

 

[xamy_valox]

I just never seem to get my plants to last more than a couple of months
So if I attach the java ferns to some rocks/pebbles will that be ok? I just want the height from them rather than attaching them to my wood or it will get taken over! The Anubias is still in its pot, I have just hooked it onto the wood so that hopefully given time, it will attach itself to the wood.

The guy in the shop said it would be fine like that, is it so?

Glad the vallis will be ok, I was concerned it might lack light and shrivel!! Do you know what the plant in the middle is? And also the one far right in the front corner?