Hoping to get plants tomorrow

[Gaagaad]

After my introduction I'm now at the stage of getting plants for my first aquarium.

For information I have a Fluval Roma 240 (120x40x55cms). Today I put in some gravel on top of about an inch of Tetra Complete Substrate. I've added a couple of slate rocks (duly boiled and tested with vinegar) and a Tardis (I'm a bit of a Whovian). So now before I cycle and eventually get some fish in I'm going to add some plants.

Here's what's on offer at the LFS (not the full list I don't think but just what I saw when in earlier today)

1. Hemianthus Callitrichoides
2. Lilaeopsis Novea-Zealandia
3. Ceratoperis Siliquosa
4. Anubias Nana Coin
5. Limnphila Hetrophylla
6. Hydrocotyle Tripartita
7. Ludwigia Glandulosa
8. Hygrophila Corymbosa Thailand

From that list I'm thinking of putting:

Some Hemianthus Callitrchoides between the two rock formations (kind of in between the paths)
A Hygrophila Corymbosa Thailand between the Tardis and inlet/outlet pipes (nearer the pipes tbh)
On the left hand side some (or just one?) Ceratopteris Siliquosa towards the back with Ludwigia Glandulosa in front.

Does this sound practical, wise or totally stupid?
I'm really wanting to add some lucky bamboo at the front left but realise this might be controversial and also I'm not sure where to source it reputably at the moment so that's maybe one for later.

 

[Wills]

This is looking interesting! You might find that you want to add some more hardscape to the tank over time as those bits of slat might get lost as the plants grow in, the path pattern you've put in might also blend in over time so just to be aware that it might not last.

From your list of plants the ones I'd focus on are 2,3,4,5 and 8. 1 and 7 are likely to struggle due to their need for Co2 injection and 6 is 50/50 sometimes it takes off really well other times it does not do so well.

From your plan I'd swap the HC for the Lilaeopsis, both are low-growing though different leaf shapes. The Lilaeopsis will do much better than HC without Co2 and may spread over time but you won't get a carpet without Co2.

A lot of Ludwigia species are quite easy to grow but Glandulosa is an other than needs Co2 to really get going, if they have any of the other Ludwigia species like Repens that would work but the Corymbosa or Limnophilla would work better here.

The Anubias would work well to attach to your rocks - I can see a join that it would sit perfect on in the structure on the left and you could even put it on the Tardis! Nana Coin is one of my favourite species of Anubias but any Anubias species should work here too.

Wills

 

[Gaagaad]

Thanks @Wills
I eventually went for:
Lilaeopsis novea-zealandia
Ceratopersis siliquosa
Anubias nana coin
Hygrophila corymbosa Thailand
Limnphila heterophylla

The tank looks better with the added greenery but I think it possibly needs something centre back just to add a bit more?

Any suggestions?

 

[Mikeyboy123]

Not sure that the Anubias is nana coin, but it doesn't really matter what type of anubias it is, your tank is big enough so that you don't need a nano anubias. I'd superglue it to something though, rather than have it in the gravel. Over time it will most likely get algae growing on the leaves. I had quite a build up spot algae on mine but after introducing a couple of nerites it is now kept clean.

Perhaps some vallis centre back? It'll send out runners in all directions. You can snip off any that pop up in the wrong place so that over time it'll establish quite a dense growth along the back of the tank. You could use some pieces of flat rock pushed down vertically into the gravel to sort of fence it in and stop runners going in directions you really don't want them to.

 

[CaptainBarnicles]

Looks lovely so far! The anubias is epiphyte, it grows in the water column rather than buried in the gravel...if you don't pull it up it will likely rot. You can tie or superglue (cyanoacrylate) it to stone or a bit of wood and it will do very well.

Your stem plants will soon take off, very easy to propagate. Simply snip and replant into the substrate

 

[Wills]

Thats great! Good choices on the plants, they should start growing soon and you can cut and plant the stems to fill out the space over time. A big bit of wood around the middle could look good - a bit piece of spider wood or similar or an intricate piece of bogwod/riverwood.

Wills

 

[Gaagaad]

Thanks for the advice guys (and gals). Back to the LFS this afternoon but no vallis so a big bit of wood it is. I've no doubt they will get some vallis in and I might get some to add then but for the moment the wood will do nicely. I've also superglued the anubias to a rock and added some others round it. I would have liked to have added it to the base rock of the structure on the left but heaving those out and waiting for it to dry seemed just too much faff. Supergluing a plant to a rock seems such a weird thing to do but as I had no sellotape I'll go with you experts in here.