Swampy Looking Plants

[faildeadly]

Ok, so I'm picking up my very first fish tank at the weekend.

After looking at hundreds (possibly thousands) of pictures of tank deco, I struck inspirartion when I saw someone had used lego in their tank, and this got my brain racing! I've decided to re-create the scene in Star Wars (Empire Strikes Back) where Luke crashes and sinks his X-wing. Using lego of course! But I want to use real plants and try and give the tank a swampy feel to it, without actually turning it into a full on swamp. Are there any plants you can recommend that might fulfill this role?

Thanks.

 

[SamLovesCorys]

Lol, that will be great! Try brown sand, java fern, java moss and amazon swordplants maybe. All hardy, with that swampy feel to them.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

What a cool idea!

The first plant I thought of was Cryptocoryne wendtii brown and if you put some bogwood or mopani wood in there it will stain the water a weak tea colour by releasing tanins (which most fish actually like).

 

[mike455555]

anubias as well i'd like to see this tank once its done are you going to put yoda in there as well?

 

[faildeadly]

Yoda was purchased the other day. Currently filling voids in the x-wing with weights to stop it floating! More weights required. I've not yet sourced the plants as funds are limited, however, is eBay a good place to get them from? My lfs is a bit short on plant stock.

 

[faildeadly]

Just a thought... part of the X-wing is going to sit on some bogwood. If I attached java moss to the wood, would it attach to and grow on the X-wing do you think? Because that would look amazing!

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Yeah it probably would eventually it can attach to rock so surely it can attach to lego!

 

[mike455555]

i read this the other day... just watched all 6 films. cant wait to see it and ebay is okay for plants depends on seller

 

[FishFanatic04]

Woot! The Force is with the fishes!

 

[faildeadly]

Are there any particular eBay sellers anyone can recommend? Or more importantly, ones to stay away from?

 

[mike455555]

try plants alive website, or on here. what plants are you after? id recommend java fern as the roots drops down low and look like vines. same with anubias

i might have some spare java after iv done my tank change around (next few days), although i dont have to much of it you might be better buying on here

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Ebay can be a little hit or miss. Some people get great stuff. Some don't!

 

[faildeadly]

if you put some bogwood or mopani wood in there it will stain the water a weak tea colour by releasing tanins (which most fish actually like).

Can I do this before I cycle (ie. will it affect the colour of the water tests?)

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

That's an interesting thought but many people run tanks with tanin stained water so i'm sure it'll be fine

 

[faildeadly]

See if I have to o a 100% water change on Sunday night because all my readings say 'tea'.... I'm blaming you!