Community tank advice

[Zantru]

Hey all, this is my 75 gal tank that I’ve had running for a few months now, and I’ve kinda been wanting to spruce things up a little bit. The plants in there currently are artificial, which kinda makes me want to take them out and plant some real ones. I just have no idea what would look good in my tank and if I even have the requirements to meet it. I know there are some styles with plants in aquariums, it’s just really confusing to replicate those for me for some reason. The only thing that I know of at the moment that wouldn’t let me plant real stuff, is my substrate, because it’s gravel. Maybe I’m wrong though and I can plant stuff in it, just I’ve done a bit of research and that’s what everything has told me. I will gladly be educated by someone else on that though.

Currently I don’t have a ton of fish in there since I’ve only had it a few months, but that’ll definitely change in the future. I just want to see if I can plant anything before I add more fish. I have:

3x angels (used to be 4
4x gouramis
4x zebra danios
1x pleco
1x tiger Oscar (he’s gonna be gone within a week, don’t worry)

I also want to make my tank more “aesthetic” per say, more simplistic even. Just easy on the eyes and a relaxing tank sounds awesome for me. I just don’t know really how to do that, since there’s so many different things you can get for a tank that looks good. I’m sure people on here relate to what I’m saying, so some suggestions on that would be amazing.

 

[Fishmanic]

First question is: what are you using as a tank light? Is it adjustable in intensity?

Among the easiest plants are anubias and java fern. They don't require high output lighting. They should be attached to rocks or driftwood by using black thread or fishing line. You could add a weekly half dose of seachem flourish fertilizer.

You could plant some Hygrophila Difformis also called Water Wisteria into the gravel if you have bright enough lights. They would require root tabs for fertilizer.

You could also float some other type of plants..perhaps Water Sprite.

Others here will probably give you some further suggestions for plants.

You might add an interesting piece of driftwood...maybe Manzanita driftwood which has several interesting branches.

 

[BoomerXIV]

Cryptocorine is a good idea too, they dont require high lighting and very hardy too (they may melt when first time planted to the tank but thats okay). And since your tank is big i'd recommend maybe some amazon sword in the back ? . And last but not least some fast growing plant like Elodea.

p.s dont forget to add more danios though

 

[Ch4rlie]

Gravel or sand, does not matter for plants as their roots will go through either without too much trouble.

It’s only when you want to add cories, BN or plecos that sand is recommended as sharp gravel can damage their barbels when they are shifting through substrate surface for food.

Plant recommendations for this tank, quite a number of choices for the low to med tank set ups, I’d say anubias (a few varieties of those both large and small) tied or glued on nice decorative rocks or woods makes a nice focal point, cryptocorynes (again there are all sorts of sizes and varieties) they are good for foreground to mid ground areas, vallisernia plants for background planting area, elodea (also known as anarcharis, bear in mind to strip the bottom two inches of leaves from the stem otherwise they may rot when planted in the substrate) these are good for background areas just to name a few examples.

Shop around in various LFS and see what you like, make a list, if unsure take a photo and put it on here and we can help identify it and if they’re any good for your tank.

 

[vanalisa]

As far as "decor" goes I think it looks better if limited to one theme.
Also, for a more natural tank, whatever plants, rocks, wood you do put in it's best not to space them equally apart. Try to create a grouping, or composition, as that is more relaxing and better replicates nature. Finally, don't put all the similarly shaped and colored items together or they may get lost.. Pair up dark and light plants.
Long stemmed plants next to a different shaped plant, for example
Just some thoughts

Finally, there are no "shoulds." you say you don't know how to do it, but we are just offering advice and tips.
Here's how to do it.
Look at stuff, find out what YOU like, and start there.☆

We'll all still have our 2 cents once you get an idea of the direction you want to go!

 

[Zantru]

First question is: what are you using as a tank light? Is it adjustable in intensity?

Among the easiest plants are anubias and java fern. They don't require high output lighting. They should be attached to rocks or driftwood by using black thread or fishing line. You could add a weekly half dose of seachem flourish fertilizer.

You could plant some Hygrophila Difformis also called Water Wisteria into the gravel if you have bright enough lights. They would require root tabs for fertilizer.

You could also float some other type of plants..perhaps Water Sprite.

Others here will probably give you some further suggestions for plants.

You might add an interesting piece of driftwood...maybe Manzanita driftwood which has several interesting branches.

I have no idea what tank light I have. And as far as I know I can't control the intensity, but if that's a must have then I can definitely buy a new one, money isn't a gigantic issue for me at the moment so if you have a certain type of tank light that you know that works best for this then I'm all ears. I Thanks for your suggestions on the plants! I'll definitely look into all of those.

Cryptocorine is a good idea too, they dont require high lighting and very hardy too (they may melt when first time planted to the tank but thats okay). And since your tank is big i'd recommend maybe some amazon sword in the back ? . And last but not least some fast growing plant like Elodea.

p.s dont forget to add more danios though

Oh I've heard about cryptocoryne! Awesome plant. And don't worry, there are plenty of danios to come

Gravel or sand, does not matter for plants as their roots will go through either without too much trouble.

It’s only when you want to add cories, BN or plecos that sand is recommended as sharp gravel can damage their barbels when they are shifting through substrate surface for food.

Plant recommendations for this tank, quite a number of choices for the low to med tank set ups, I’d say anubias (a few varieties of those both large and small) tied or glued on nice decorative rocks or woods makes a nice focal point, cryptocorynes (again there are all sorts of sizes and varieties) they are good for foreground to mid ground areas, vallisernia plants for background planting area, elodea (also known as anarcharis, bear in mind to strip the bottom two inches of leaves from the stem otherwise they may rot when planted in the substrate) these are good for background areas just to name a few examples.

Shop around in various LFS and see what you like, make a list, if unsure take a photo and put it on here and we can help identify it and if they’re any good for your tank.

Ah okay thanks for clearing that up about the substrate, I wasn't sure. I'll definitely look into all those plants you posted. I've look at a lot of my LFS, and most of them aren't really focused around plant life, but the plants I do see that I like that maybe I missed, I'll be sure to write down. Thanks!

 

[Zantru]

As far as "decor" goes I think it looks better if limited to one theme.
Also, for a more natural tank, whatever plants, rocks, wood you do put in it's best not to space them equally apart. Try to create a grouping, or composition, as that is more relaxing and better replicates nature. Finally, don't put all the similarly shaped and colored items together or they may get lost.. Pair up dark and light plants.
Long stemmed plants next to a different shaped plant, for example
Just some thoughts

Finally, there are no "shoulds." you say you don't know how to do it, but we are just offering advice and tips.
Here's how to do it.
Look at stuff, find out what YOU like, and start there.☆

We'll all still have our 2 cents once you get an idea of the direction you want to go!

I already know that I'm not the type of "one theme" kinda guy, but I'll try to stick with one if that means my tank will look way better than it does now. Replicating nature seems kinda hard, but hopefully I'll manage.

And yes, I know that not all of you are certified fish experts that know about every single thing in the fish world, but most of you know more than me so your advice will definitely be used!