OP
OP
Monochrome5
Fish Fanatic
I know! The pressure is on! I've been swapping a bunch of SW stuff with her, so we're basically policing each other's new tanks
Monochrome5's Planted Cube
- Thread starter Monochrome5
- Start date
I know! The pressure is on! I've been swapping a bunch of SW stuff with her, so we're basically policing each other's new tanks
OP
OP
Monochrome5
Fish Fanatic
OK looking to order plants this week and get this tank going! I'm going to do the heavily planted cycle method, as that seems to be the best. I don't know where to order from, so suggestions there would be great!!
Hemianthus callirichoides
Hemianthus micranthemoides
Alternantera reineckii
Hygrophila polyspema
Myriophyllum aquaticum
Echinodorus tennelus
Bacopa caroliniana
Egeria najas
Fissidens frontalis (if I can find it... seems pretty rare)
Pelia
Weeping moss (maybe... it may look pretty sweet on the driftwood)
Chladophora aegagropila
Sagittaria platyphylla
Microsorum pteropus
Bacopa monnieri
Everything on the list good? Or did I screw something up?
Hemianthus callirichoides
Hemianthus micranthemoides
Alternantera reineckii
Hygrophila polyspema
Myriophyllum aquaticum
Echinodorus tennelus
Bacopa caroliniana
Egeria najas
Fissidens frontalis (if I can find it... seems pretty rare)
Pelia
Weeping moss (maybe... it may look pretty sweet on the driftwood)
Chladophora aegagropila
Sagittaria platyphylla
Microsorum pteropus
Bacopa monnieri
Everything on the list good? Or did I screw something up?
My notes on your selection.
Hemianthus callirichoides - likes lots of nutrients and CO2
Hemianthus micranthemoides - love this plant
Alternantera reineckii - love this plant, big-leaved too, but stunning and hardy
Hygrophila polyspema - love this plant, but may not be available in your state, double check. It's a noxious weed in many states.
Myriophyllum aquaticum - get the light green
Echinodorus tennelus - nice plant. will grow nice and compact with your lighting
Bacopa caroliniana - A bit big leaved for the size of your tank.
Egeria najas - lovely plant
Fissidens frontalis (if I can find it... seems pretty rare) - I've got some, but it's a treasure... Trying to grow more
Pelia - check swap before you order...
Weeping moss (maybe... it may look pretty sweet on the driftwood) - check swap before you order
Chladophora aegagropila - I don't like this one, icky. Not even a real plant, but an algae.
Sagittaria platyphylla - Too big, E. tenellus fills the role better and is smaller.
Microsorum pteropus - stick with the needle leaf variety, otherwise this plant gets too large.
Bacopa monnieri - eh... Grows well, but it's not super pretty
Some other plants to consider....
When attempting the Dutch style in a smaller system, leaf sizes should be scaled down to reflect the smaller tank size.
Rotala species are something to consider. Rotala rotundifolia is a beautiful plant as is Rotala macrandra. Other quality stemplants include Heternantera zosterfolia, and the many ludwigia species.
llj
Hemianthus callirichoides - likes lots of nutrients and CO2
Hemianthus micranthemoides - love this plant
Alternantera reineckii - love this plant, big-leaved too, but stunning and hardy
Hygrophila polyspema - love this plant, but may not be available in your state, double check. It's a noxious weed in many states.
Myriophyllum aquaticum - get the light green
Echinodorus tennelus - nice plant. will grow nice and compact with your lighting
Bacopa caroliniana - A bit big leaved for the size of your tank.
Egeria najas - lovely plant
Fissidens frontalis (if I can find it... seems pretty rare) - I've got some, but it's a treasure... Trying to grow more
Pelia - check swap before you order...
Weeping moss (maybe... it may look pretty sweet on the driftwood) - check swap before you order
Chladophora aegagropila - I don't like this one, icky. Not even a real plant, but an algae.
Sagittaria platyphylla - Too big, E. tenellus fills the role better and is smaller.
Microsorum pteropus - stick with the needle leaf variety, otherwise this plant gets too large.
Bacopa monnieri - eh... Grows well, but it's not super pretty
Some other plants to consider....
When attempting the Dutch style in a smaller system, leaf sizes should be scaled down to reflect the smaller tank size.
Rotala species are something to consider. Rotala rotundifolia is a beautiful plant as is Rotala macrandra. Other quality stemplants include Heternantera zosterfolia, and the many ludwigia species.
llj
OP
OP
Monochrome5
Fish Fanatic
My notes on your note...
Hemianthus callirichoides - likes lots of nutrients and CO2 - I can do that (I think)
Hemianthus micranthemoides - love this plant - Me too!
Alternantera reineckii - love this plant, big-leaved too, but stunning and hardy - This will probably be my "background" plant since it is a bit big leaved
Hygrophila polyspema - love this plant, but may not be available in your state, double check. It's a noxious weed in many states. - Doesn't matter. I have a research collection license through the marine lab. I can get "banned" species without any trouble
Myriophyllum aquaticum - get the light green - Alrighty
Echinodorus tennelus - nice plant. will grow nice and compact with your lighting - One of my favorites on this list.
Bacopa caroliniana - A bit big leaved for the size of your tank. - Alright. Let's scratch this one from the list!
Egeria najas - lovely plant - I agree!
Fissidens frontalis (if I can find it... seems pretty rare) - I've got some, but it's a treasure... Trying to grow more - You know you want to hook me up with some... right?
Pelia - check swap before you order... - I forgot about the swap!
Weeping moss (maybe... it may look pretty sweet on the driftwood) - check swap before you order - Again... I forgot.
Chladophora aegagropila - I don't like this one, icky. Not even a real plant, but an algae. - Nothing anyone can say will keep me from getting one of these. They're awesome!
Sagittaria platyphylla - Too big, E. tenellus fills the role better and is smaller. - Sounds good. Another scratch.
Microsorum pteropus - stick with the needle leaf variety, otherwise this plant gets too large. - Will do.
Bacopa monnieri - eh... Grows well, but it's not super pretty - I like it. Adds some shape variety, plus I've heard some people have gotten them to flower underwater (something that sounds really neat)
Rotala rotundifolia - Eh... seems pretty boring to me. It may be a good filler, but I don't think I'll have the room.
Rotala macrandra - Same as the other Rotala
Heternantera zosterfolia - Not the biggest fan of the long skinny leaf plants. We'll see.
ludwigia species - Maybe. Will they grow on the wood?
So one of the biggest issues I'm having is that I'm RAPIDLY running out of room. This is a cube tank... It's 12"x12"x12". Factor in the false wall holding the heater/filter media/return pump and you're looking at only 9" front to back, 12" wide and 12" tall. Add that sweet piece of driftwood (it stays. Period.) and we're looking at even less real estate. I feel like I'm going to have some serious issues making the rows of plants that give all these great Dutch scapes such depth. I'm thinking this is going to turn into a Jungle/Dutch hybrid. That's not a bad thing, is it?
Hemianthus callirichoides - likes lots of nutrients and CO2 - I can do that (I think)
Hemianthus micranthemoides - love this plant - Me too!
Alternantera reineckii - love this plant, big-leaved too, but stunning and hardy - This will probably be my "background" plant since it is a bit big leaved
Hygrophila polyspema - love this plant, but may not be available in your state, double check. It's a noxious weed in many states. - Doesn't matter. I have a research collection license through the marine lab. I can get "banned" species without any trouble
Myriophyllum aquaticum - get the light green - Alrighty
Echinodorus tennelus - nice plant. will grow nice and compact with your lighting - One of my favorites on this list.
Bacopa caroliniana - A bit big leaved for the size of your tank. - Alright. Let's scratch this one from the list!
Egeria najas - lovely plant - I agree!
Fissidens frontalis (if I can find it... seems pretty rare) - I've got some, but it's a treasure... Trying to grow more - You know you want to hook me up with some... right?
Pelia - check swap before you order... - I forgot about the swap!
Weeping moss (maybe... it may look pretty sweet on the driftwood) - check swap before you order - Again... I forgot.
Chladophora aegagropila - I don't like this one, icky. Not even a real plant, but an algae. - Nothing anyone can say will keep me from getting one of these. They're awesome!
Sagittaria platyphylla - Too big, E. tenellus fills the role better and is smaller. - Sounds good. Another scratch.
Microsorum pteropus - stick with the needle leaf variety, otherwise this plant gets too large. - Will do.
Bacopa monnieri - eh... Grows well, but it's not super pretty - I like it. Adds some shape variety, plus I've heard some people have gotten them to flower underwater (something that sounds really neat)
Rotala rotundifolia - Eh... seems pretty boring to me. It may be a good filler, but I don't think I'll have the room.
Rotala macrandra - Same as the other Rotala
Heternantera zosterfolia - Not the biggest fan of the long skinny leaf plants. We'll see.
ludwigia species - Maybe. Will they grow on the wood?
So one of the biggest issues I'm having is that I'm RAPIDLY running out of room. This is a cube tank... It's 12"x12"x12". Factor in the false wall holding the heater/filter media/return pump and you're looking at only 9" front to back, 12" wide and 12" tall. Add that sweet piece of driftwood (it stays. Period.) and we're looking at even less real estate. I feel like I'm going to have some serious issues making the rows of plants that give all these great Dutch scapes such depth. I'm thinking this is going to turn into a Jungle/Dutch hybrid. That's not a bad thing, is it?
please don't get these, they will take up valuable room for real plants. They are ugly and there is no skill in keeping this stuff alive. *little rant over*
plant list sounds good. I reckon Hemianthus callirichoides is doable in your tank, just ensure there is plenty of flow around the plant.
My notes on your notes on my notes...
Hemianthus callirichoides - likes lots of nutrients and CO2 - I can do that (I think) - I'd do this one
Hemianthus micranthemoides - love this plant - Me too! - underated, go for it.
Alternantera reineckii - love this plant, big-leaved too, but stunning and hardy - This will probably be my "background" plant since it is a bit big leaved - If you're trying to apply some Dutch principles, don't put a red plant in the back ground. Red is used to establish a focal point. You can create one eaily by using the wood to enhance a color grouping of plants.
Hygrophila polyspema - love this plant, but may not be available in your state, double check. It's a noxious weed in many states. - Doesn't matter. I have a research collection license through the marine lab. I can get "banned" species without any trouble - I hate you...
Myriophyllum aquaticum - get the light green - Alrighty
Echinodorus tennelus - nice plant. will grow nice and compact with your lighting - One of my favorites on this list. - agreed, go for it.
Bacopa caroliniana - A bit big leaved for the size of your tank. - Alright. Let's scratch this one from the list!- agreed.
Egeria najas - lovely plant - I agree! - IMO, this makes an ideal background plant.
Fissidens frontalis (if I can find it... seems pretty rare) - I've got some, but it's a treasure... Trying to grow more - You know you want to hook me up with some... right? - If I could get it to grow fast enough, I would hook you up with some.
Pelia - check swap before you order... - I forgot about the swap!- Check the swap, someone already claimed, but I've got more portions that just one.
Weeping moss (maybe... it may look pretty sweet on the driftwood) - check swap before you order - Again... I forgot. - Check the swap!
Chladophora aegagropila - I don't like this one, icky. Not even a real plant, but an algae. - Nothing anyone can say will keep me from getting one of these. They're awesome! - There's no accounting for tastes
Sagittaria platyphylla - Too big, E. tenellus fills the role better and is smaller. - Sounds good. Another scratch.
Microsorum pteropus - stick with the needle leaf variety, otherwise this plant gets too large. - Will do. - The needle is better...
Bacopa monnieri - eh... Grows well, but it's not super pretty - I like it. Adds some shape variety, plus I've heard some people have gotten them to flower underwater (something that sounds really neat) - If you are going for neat factor then, yes, but Barclaya longifolia also flowers underwater and it is way cooler... Plant index has its profile and a shot of the flower.
Rotala rotundifolia - Eh... seems pretty boring to me. It may be a good filler, but I don't think I'll have the room. - fair enough, I think you've got enough plants
Rotala macrandra - Same as the other Rotala - ok
Heternantera zosterfolia - Not the biggest fan of the long skinny leaf plants. We'll see.- I think you have enough plants.
ludwigia species - Maybe. Will they grow on the wood?- no, they are stemplants.
I'd reduce the species you plan on using then and utilize your wood more as an attachment point for some plants. Have you thought of anubias? Anubias flower with CO2 injection and enough light, looks like a peace lily. Check the swap!!!!
llj
Hemianthus callirichoides - likes lots of nutrients and CO2 - I can do that (I think) - I'd do this one
Hemianthus micranthemoides - love this plant - Me too! - underated, go for it.
Alternantera reineckii - love this plant, big-leaved too, but stunning and hardy - This will probably be my "background" plant since it is a bit big leaved - If you're trying to apply some Dutch principles, don't put a red plant in the back ground. Red is used to establish a focal point. You can create one eaily by using the wood to enhance a color grouping of plants.
Hygrophila polyspema - love this plant, but may not be available in your state, double check. It's a noxious weed in many states. - Doesn't matter. I have a research collection license through the marine lab. I can get "banned" species without any trouble - I hate you...
Myriophyllum aquaticum - get the light green - Alrighty
Echinodorus tennelus - nice plant. will grow nice and compact with your lighting - One of my favorites on this list. - agreed, go for it.
Egeria najas - lovely plant - I agree! - IMO, this makes an ideal background plant.
Fissidens frontalis (if I can find it... seems pretty rare) - I've got some, but it's a treasure... Trying to grow more - You know you want to hook me up with some... right? - If I could get it to grow fast enough, I would hook you up with some.
Pelia - check swap before you order... - I forgot about the swap!- Check the swap, someone already claimed, but I've got more portions that just one.
Weeping moss (maybe... it may look pretty sweet on the driftwood) - check swap before you order - Again... I forgot. - Check the swap!
Chladophora aegagropila - I don't like this one, icky. Not even a real plant, but an algae. - Nothing anyone can say will keep me from getting one of these. They're awesome! - There's no accounting for tastes
Microsorum pteropus - stick with the needle leaf variety, otherwise this plant gets too large. - Will do. - The needle is better...
Bacopa monnieri - eh... Grows well, but it's not super pretty - I like it. Adds some shape variety, plus I've heard some people have gotten them to flower underwater (something that sounds really neat) - If you are going for neat factor then, yes, but Barclaya longifolia also flowers underwater and it is way cooler... Plant index has its profile and a shot of the flower.
Rotala rotundifolia - Eh... seems pretty boring to me. It may be a good filler, but I don't think I'll have the room. - fair enough, I think you've got enough plants
Rotala macrandra - Same as the other Rotala - ok
Heternantera zosterfolia - Not the biggest fan of the long skinny leaf plants. We'll see.- I think you have enough plants.
ludwigia species - Maybe. Will they grow on the wood?- no, they are stemplants.
I'd reduce the species you plan on using then and utilize your wood more as an attachment point for some plants. Have you thought of anubias? Anubias flower with CO2 injection and enough light, looks like a peace lily. Check the swap!!!!
llj
OP
OP
Monochrome5
Fish Fanatic
OK so let's narrow this down a bit. (PS: This notes on notes thing is fun hahahahaha)
Hemianthus micranthemoides
Alternantera reineckii
Hygrophila polyspema
Myriophyllum aquaticum
Echinodorus tennelus
Egeria najas
Pelia
Weeping moss
Chladophora aegagropila
Barclaya longifolia
Out of curiosity, which of these need to be attached to the wood? Any of them? Also, I noticed there is a little runner growing from a hole in the wood... Any chance you know what it is? And do you think it's still alive?
Hemianthus micranthemoides
Alternantera reineckii
Hygrophila polyspema
Myriophyllum aquaticum
Echinodorus tennelus
Egeria najas
Pelia
Weeping moss
Chladophora aegagropila
Barclaya longifolia
Out of curiosity, which of these need to be attached to the wood? Any of them? Also, I noticed there is a little runner growing from a hole in the wood... Any chance you know what it is? And do you think it's still alive?
Agreed... Now let's begin...
Hemianthus micranthemoides - stemplant, plant in the substrate, can grow as a background, but I had mind as a foreground midground.
Alternantera reineckii - focal point stemplant
Hygrophila polyspema - stemplant
Myriophyllum aquaticum -stemplant (contrast with alternantera)
Echinodorus tennelus - foreground rosette plant, plant in the substrate
Egeria najas - stemplant, background plant
Pelia - attach to wood
Weeping moss - attach to wood
Chladophora aegagropila - icky sicky, me no likey...
I'll let you have it only because you send me presents in the mail. Barclaya longifolia - tuber/bulb, plant in the substrate. focal point plant.
I'd be very suprised if anything was alive in that wood. It's been dry since December. Do you want portions of Pelia and moss? I can spare some for you.
OP
OP
Monochrome5
Fish Fanatic
Well it still looks green... I think? My colorblindness may or may not be lying to you right now haha.
I'd LOVE some plants!! I picked up the rest of my supplies today (Seachem Flourish [not excel], Prime [dechlor and buffer], Purigen, and a bigger piece of slate to hold the wood down). I'm likely going to order plants tomorrow... Suggestions on where to place my order?
aquariumplants.com is the big US site. I've ordered from them before. I've had good experience with aquaticmagic too, but that's in like Singapore. Drs Fosters and Smith have plants too, but I've never ordered from them.
OP
OP
Monochrome5
Fish Fanatic
Sooooo..... I got paid today! Which means plants will be coming ASAP! My birthday is next Thursday and I hope to have this up and running by then as a little birthday gift to myself
Maybe a stupid question (checked the PARC and didn't see anything on it), but do I need to acclimate plants like I do coral? I feel like I don't...
Maybe a stupid question (checked the PARC and didn't see anything on it), but do I need to acclimate plants like I do coral? I feel like I don't...
No the plants kind of acclimate themselves, you might get a bit of melt on some of them and that's them getting used to their new environment. Every time I do a water change in my planted 32 some of the Crypts melt.
Sooooo..... I got paid today! Which means plants will be coming ASAP! My birthday is next Thursday and I hope to have this up and running by then as a little birthday gift to myself
Maybe a stupid question (checked the PARC and didn't see anything on it), but do I need to acclimate plants like I do coral? I feel like I don't...
Oh, that's just the best question ever! I'm sorry, not a stupid question at all, but very entertaining. I can just see them being drip-acclimated. I will, however, often put them in a bucket of dechlorinated tapwater for a spell. I like to inspect the plants for snails and remove any dead leaves or rotten roots.
OP
OP
Monochrome5
Fish Fanatic
Sooooo..... I got paid today! Which means plants will be coming ASAP! My birthday is next Thursday and I hope to have this up and running by then as a little birthday gift to myself
Maybe a stupid question (checked the PARC and didn't see anything on it), but do I need to acclimate plants like I do coral? I feel like I don't...
Oh, that's just the best question ever! I'm sorry, not a stupid question at all, but very entertaining. I can just see them being drip-acclimated. I will, however, often put them in a bucket of dechlorinated tapwater for a spell. I like to inspect the plants for snails and remove any dead leaves or rotten roots.
I'm definitely not worried about snails - I plan on having dwarf puffers, and they love snails! How "dead" should a leaf be when I decide to trim it?
OP
OP
Monochrome5
Fish Fanatic
Ordering plants today.... WOOOOOOOOOH!
Similar threads
Most reactions
-
266 -
216 -
213 -
176 -
170 -
161 -
139 -
136 -
120 -
113 -
107 -
97 -
97 -
92 -
89