Planting A Tank

Hi, I would like to ask some questions about planting a tank.

My tank is 25 gal and I don't want to pack it tight with plants. I would like to start out with a few and then go from there.

I am looking at Vallisneria, our LFS has some very lovely ones. I would like to add these to the two back corners of the tank with some Anubias nana just in front of it.

In the middle of the tank I would like to do a nice mopani piece with two small mopani pieces just infront of the Vall and the Anubias that would be in the corners.

Would this look okay to start with??

Now I have never kept either of these plants, I have not kept really any live plants except Java Fern. I do have a very large Moss Ball in there right now.

I would like to avoid the Co2 thing if I can, would this be possible with a light planting in this tank??

Tank has been running for years, to many to mention.

Yes, you can have a successful planted tank without CO2. What I need to know is how much lighting you have? With 1WPG, you should be able to grow anubias and possibly Vallis in the type of setup that you are looking for. If Valis doesn't work for you, there are several taller cryptocoryne varieties that will give a similar look to the vallis without requiring as much light. The growth won't be rampant, but that shouldn't have to be a goal. A healthy appearance is sufficient. You are better off with a nutrient-rich substrate, but I have not used it so far, barring a scattering of laterite, and have enjoyed success. I have some sparsely planted tanks, as I now enjoy corydoras which require a bit more substrate space that other fish. Anubias should be attached to wood, or if buried in the substrate, the rhizome must be above the substrate. If it is beneath, the rhizome will rot and the plant will die. So you would only bury the roots. They look fantastic attached to Mopani, though. That is how mine are.

Sorry I can't write more, but I've got to get ready for work.

lljdma06

bugsy66 said:

Hi, I would like to ask some questions about planting a tank.

My tank is 25 gal and I don't want to pack it tight with plants. I would like to start out with a few and then go from there.

I am looking at Vallisneria, our LFS has some very lovely ones. I would like to add these to the two back corners of the tank with some Anubias nana just in front of it.

In the middle of the tank I would like to do a nice mopani piece with two small mopani pieces just infront of the Vall and the Anubias that would be in the corners.

Would this look okay to start with??

Now I have never kept either of these plants, I have not kept really any live plants except Java Fern. I do have a very large Moss Ball in there right now.

I would like to avoid the Co2 thing if I can, would this be possible with a light planting in this tank??

Tank has been running for years, to many to mention.

Click to expand...

Thank you so much for your reply, I truly appreciate it.....

My tank only has the one light. It is a 20 watt, I need to replace this bulb and would first of all like to ask your opinion about what kind to get.

Flora-Glo 2800K
Sun-Glo 4200K
Life-Glo 6700K
Aqua-Glo 18000K
Power-Glo 18000K

I was reading in a Disucs book because I have a Discus in this tank that one should use a 5000K for a planted tank. What is your opinion about this??

And yes, I am going to get the Vallisneria today as they are big beautiful plants the store has in right now. Anubias I will check and see if they are in too. I thought I would start with these two types and just go from there.

I love the jungle look yes but not in my tank as it is only 25 gal and I need room for my fish to move around. I just cannot in anyway get rid of this Cobalt Blue Discus I have as I bought him when he was very tiny and now he is huge. I only have the one and at the time he did have a friend Angelfish whom was big as well but fight they two of them would and the Discus won so I had to get rid of the Angelfish as this is his tank and he is doing very well with his catfish. Another Discus added to this tank would spell trouble as he is very territorial and I use to breed Angelfish and know what a pain in the you know what a spawning pair can be. So I would just like to liven his tank up with some nice fresh live plants and get rid of the plastic ones.

Thanks again and if you can respond to the light question that would be great. With the light I can have in this tank I am looking at 1.25 watts per gal.

bugsy

I'm currently using 2 Aqua glo bulbs with my set up and the plants are doing very well. The grasses I have a spreading very nicely and as for the hornwort... well it's growing at 3inches a day. These are very good bulbs. I would definately recommend.

Thanks for the replies, that is interesting about the Aqua Glo. Everything I have read including the write up on this forum recommend the Life-Glo 6700K. I think I might give that bulb a try unless anyone does not recommend it??

Right now I have a PowerGlo on there and I know it will have to be changed. I also have 4100K. Should I use this one for the time being instead of the PowerGlo till I get the AquaGlo??

And lastley here are two photos of my tank. Today I put in 3 Vallisneria, 1 bunch Lutwigia, 1 bunch Comboda.

Should the Vallisneria be cut?? They are very long and I just left them as I bought them and need some advice now.

I would let the Vals settle in for a week or so before cutting them.

When you do cut them make sure to cut them diagonally.

If they start to go bad then don't worry because 'baby' Vals will eventually sppear and you can remove the older ones once this happens.

Hope you have better luck than I have with Vals. They seem to be the hardest thing to grow in my tank. Maybe the water hardness? I don't know my parameters other than Ph so no idea.

Andy