29 Gallon planted
- Thread starter Derexan
- Start date
It's hard to grow plants in sand. Go with planted driftwood and java fern if you are going to use sand, along with a mixture of floating grassed and other 'non-rooted' plants. 
for substrate I prefer eco-complete or flora base
I am going to be setting up my 48g bowfront here soon, and will be taking step-by-step pictures of my 'Amano' style set-up. Low-Light requirement and no Co2 inject though!
for substrate I prefer eco-complete or flora base
I am going to be setting up my 48g bowfront here soon, and will be taking step-by-step pictures of my 'Amano' style set-up. Low-Light requirement and no Co2 inject though!
Frill, Hornwart, Java Moss, and Water Lettuce could all work.. They are all floating plants, and the first 3 I listed you could wrap around driftwood and other decor. I am sure there are lots more available that you could use to a similiar effect as well.
I am not a planted tank wizard by any means, but I was under the impression that most rooted plants will 'sufficate' under the compaction of sand?
Java Fern can get fairly long, but it also spreads.. Depending on the lighting/growth regimen, you will get different 'growth' styles, if that makes sense. Longer, less intense lighting tends to grow long stringy plants.. and Shorter, more intense lighting seems to grow thick broad-leafed plants.
What I plan on doing is dividing the corners of the tank with slate, and in the back corners use a mixture of Florabase and Ecocomplete. In the foreground of the tank, where the display driftwood will be, I will be using a layer of sand. In the sandy open-water area, I will have no rooted plants. All the larger swords and grasses will be in the corners or the far back of the tank where I strategically placed the Florabase/Ecocomplete..
Hope that helps some
I am not a planted tank wizard by any means, but I was under the impression that most rooted plants will 'sufficate' under the compaction of sand?
Java Fern can get fairly long, but it also spreads.. Depending on the lighting/growth regimen, you will get different 'growth' styles, if that makes sense. Longer, less intense lighting tends to grow long stringy plants.. and Shorter, more intense lighting seems to grow thick broad-leafed plants.
What I plan on doing is dividing the corners of the tank with slate, and in the back corners use a mixture of Florabase and Ecocomplete. In the foreground of the tank, where the display driftwood will be, I will be using a layer of sand. In the sandy open-water area, I will have no rooted plants. All the larger swords and grasses will be in the corners or the far back of the tank where I strategically placed the Florabase/Ecocomplete..
Hope that helps some
Anubis nana on driftwood is nice. I have mine just wedged between a tall rock and the back of the tank. The Cories love to swim under it in the hanging roots.
Careful with the java moss.It will quickly take over a tank if not trimmed regulary.
Throw some Marimo balls in there too, I love them, my fish love them and they would add some green to the sandy bottom if you stick with that. But I have to agree with Miles that Eco-complete is a great substrate. My glosso loved the stuff, spread quick and low.
Careful with the java moss.It will quickly take over a tank if not trimmed regulary.
Throw some Marimo balls in there too, I love them, my fish love them and they would add some green to the sandy bottom if you stick with that. But I have to agree with Miles that Eco-complete is a great substrate. My glosso loved the stuff, spread quick and low.
milesj60 said:
Do you mean with the absence of an external CO2 system?
I think Java fern requires comparatively low CO2 than other plants. Anubias nana can do well in low light condition but needs CO2. Amazon swords can survive under low light and low CO2 content, but it won't prosper or grow larger. I put an Amazon sword in my goldfish tank. The tank doesn't have any substrate, low light intensity, and no injection of external CO2. The only CO2 it obtains is from my two goldfish and their by-products. The plant survive for months and it is still around today. It shrank in size and doesn't get any bigger or smaller thereafter.
Yeah,like miles said its not the best way to go,but if you mix in some gravel and pure laterite or a florabase you will greatly open up your options.you could use egeria densa(elodea),hygrophila corymbosa,ceratophyllum demersum(hornwort),microsorium pteropus(java fern),cryptocoryne affinis,cryptocoryne lutea,cryptocoryne walkeri and anubias barteri var. nana(dwarf anubias).the later 4 plants being small fore ground plants.A small Co2 canister would help,but you could just restrict any water movment and keep a good stock of fish to use up oxygen made by plants.if the substraight addition is not possible you could always use tose little organic prefertilized pots and hide them behind decor.probably the most important thing to remember about plants is they need equal parts of light,Co2 and temperature for optimal photosyntesis,which means healthier plants and faster growing plants.your lighting is just over 2 watts per gal. which is more than enough for these plants.Derexan said:
check out this place good info and nice plants,Ive ordered from them b-4 and would do so again.
http://www.azgardens.com/newaquar2.php