New 4Ft Planted

[Offelias]

Hi guys,

I'd like to keep a journal of my new tank so that I can look back and see what works and what hasn't, as well as to get advise as I go along due to the extraordinary amount of experience in these forums!

I started off with a 10gallon around nine months ago and have just received a new 4ft tank (240ltr) from a friend. I'm hoping for it to be heavily planted with low tech plants.

Here's what I spent my day doing today I'm really interested to see how it develops. I'm not done with the plants yet, but I have plans for small areas of carpet, some foregound, and some larger background plants.

I ended up having to prematurely move my current stock over early due to the heater failing, hence the running of the old and new filter in the current setup.
The substrate is eco complete. Things will be moved I'm sure, but this is the starting point

Any comments welcome.

 

[blackops]

looks very nice

 

[shepherd88]

Looks nice pal just a note..the striped white plant in pic 2 and the fern in pic 4 look like the non aquatic i had....end up rotting and poluting the water

 

[mike455555]

2 of the plants are not fully aquatic the one with green and white on the left and the fern looking like one on the right, they will rot and cause water problems but it looks good =]

 

[Offelias]

Thanks for the heads up I've done a moderate amount of research on live plants in the last few months and the LFS couldn't tell me what this one was called, but I thought I'd chance it.
Out it comes..

I wonder how suppliers to LFS can pass them off as aquatic when they send them to the store. Let alone the LFS not picking up on it.

Thanks

 

[Offelias]

Did a little research and the striped one is called 'Dracaena deremensis striped'.
It's a tropical plant but not aquatic.
Care notes include "do not overwater".

 

[daizeUK]

I spotted some of that striped stuff being sold at my local Pets at Home.  They must surely know by know that it isn't aquatic, people must have told them. 

 
Offelias that's a beautiful tank, I love the way the substrate complements the colours of the wood.  Is that red and black fine gravel?
(edit: sorry you already said it's eco-complete!  Certainly looks good)

 

[mike455555]

yes they probally do relize it will die back, but the more they sell the better.
if plants die people replace, and more die makeing them more money

 

[Offelias]

Thanks Daize
It's the red eco complete. I initially used their website to calculate how many bags I'd need. Their website quoted 8, but I only used four bags. Four is definitely plenty!!

Regarding the plants, I think it just means I'll be relying on my own knowledge. And if not, google is my best friend...