Slims Planted Journal

[SLIM]

Iv decided that for my Birthday i wanted a snake! Yes a snake. My partner agreed to buy it for me.
So we went to a big local pet store like pets at home but not pets at home lol to look at some snakes and i saw this amazing peice of wood.
It was £30 but i knew i had to have it. I could just see it bein a centre peice.
My partner went mad because she couldnt understand how i could spent £30 on abit of wood lol
It was well worth it tho because it does look amazing.

I got it home, practically stripped my tank down and placed it in.
I know wood needs pre soaking but i didnt have anything big enough to soak it in except the tank. Iv had no Tannins which is good.
I didnt bin any exsisting plants or anything all i did was plant them alot closer together to create alot more room for future plants
Here how it looked.

Notice the rock on top lol thats to weight it down to stop it floating whilst it soaks

Oh by the way the red ivy died again. I cannot grow this plant

Don't worry about it. I can't grow swords. All the swords I've ever had have gotten smaller after having them instead of bigger. I've given up. I shipped my last 2 off to wigster last week and I shan't be getting any more!

Edit: Although now Ian's said that I'm wondering too...

I had problems with swords when i first got them. For me it turned out to be a Potassium problem. Soon as i started dosing potassium they grew great. No matter what i try i just cant grow red ivy. Think im going to give up too lol

 

[SLIM]

I started looking on Java Plants again for more plants to fill in all the gaps when i stubbled accross something called 48inch Tropical Plant collection.
Basically its 115 plants for £18.95
Sounds too good to be true dont it.
Well i bought it and its amazing!!!

You get...

5 x Echinodorus Tennellus
5 x Hygrophilia Polysperma
5 x Red Ludwigia
5 x Ambulia Aquatica
5 x Bacopa Monniera
5 x Red Ivy
5 x Diplis Diandra
5 x Vallis Torta
5 x Elodea Densa
5 x Hairgrass
5 x Bacopa Caroliniana
5 x Pygmy Chain Sword
5 x Cabomba aquatica
5 x Vallis Corkscrew sml
5 x Crypt Lucens
5 x Water Wisteria
5 x Crypt Ciliata
5 x Creeping Jenny
5 x Crypt Wendtii
5 x Sea Grass
5 x Needle Leaf Ludwigia
3 x Nymphea Stellata
1 x Crinum Thaianum
1 x 5cm clump Java Moss
5 x Red Ambulia

Here the link for it

And here is how my tank looks now with all that planted

Iv ordered one last plant which should be here wednesday, a Echinodorus Uruguayensis - Mother plant.
I know it looks like theirs no more room but trust me there is. far right hand corner lol

 

[ian]

i suspect 'red ivy' may be a non aquatic plant.

 

[SLIM]

i suspect 'red ivy' may be a non aquatic plant.

Hmmm maybe. It does get roots up the stem like most stem plants.
It just loses colour really quickly then dies.

THIS is the stuff

 

[SLIM]

red ivy?

Sorry didnt see this post Ian
Red Ivy(Alternanthera Sessilis)

 

[minnnt]

Looking good SLIM. I have the Vicenza 180 and love it!

You have obviously researched everything and done it properly from the start.

Well done to you TOTM entry i reckon?!

Sorry, i have just remembered that you already have

 

[coldcazzie]

Oh well its not the same plant that I am having my doubts about...! I was hoping it might answer my suspicions! Never mind!

Ps, lol minnnt!

 

[SLIM]

Looking good SLIM. I have the Vicenza 180 and love it!

You have obviously researched everything and done it properly from the start.

Well done to you TOTM entry i reckon?!

Sorry, i have just remembered that you already have

Yep iv entered. First time I ever have tho. Doubt il win tho coz some people on here truely do have amazing aquariums. Jus did it for fun really and to see what people think

 

[minnnt]

I think you stand as much chance as anyone mate. Good luck anyway!

 

[SLIM]

I think you stand as much chance as anyone mate. Good luck anyway!

Thanx

 

[lljdma06]

This is a great start. I like the density of the planting and the color choices. What section of the pet store did you get the wood from?

llj

 

[SLIM]

This is a great start. I like the density of the planting and the color choices. What section of the pet store did you get the wood from?

llj

It was by all the empty aquariums. Im pleased with it so far. Thinkin maybe afew more fore ground plants or maybe spread some xmas moss in the foreground.

 

[ZoddyZod]

Really liking the way the two sides of the scape are linked by the fantastic redmoor 'root'

Great layout.

TOTM entry this month???

 

[SLIM]

Really liking the way the two sides of the scape are linked by the fantastic redmoor 'root'

Great layout.

TOTM entry this month???

Thanx! I have to admit I am very pleased with the outcome myself. And the redmore root was a Great find and looks perfect. When I saw it I knew I had to have it lol. Still have abit of tweeking to do. Have a large mother plant coming tomorrow and I want to put in afew more small foreground plants. Something that spreads outwards but doesnt get very tall. Any recommendations? Might also add some more dwarf hairgrass too. I have entered tank of the month for the first time this month. Fingers crossed!

 

[coldcazzie]

you could try one of the four leaf clover species? I think they look lovely, and I'm really looking forward to trying them when I clear some room