Aimara and Plants

[nzafi]

I am planning to get my 500g up and running in the spring again, and while I am still figuring out what fish, I definitely have another aimara high on my list. One of the biggest changes I want to do this time is actually have substrate with some sort of decorations instead of bare bottom and no decorations. I am looking into what it will take to do a low tech planted tank in a 500g. I would probably do something like an amazon sword and some carpeting grass.

Can you put an aimara in a planted tank or will they destroy the plants?

 

[Gunfleet]

I've done what you are considering (big fish and live plants) and my work around was to put the sword plants in terrcotta flowerpots . That way, I could use spot light lighting instead of the whole tank, target dose fertilizers when needed, and use plant substrate in the pots and other stone elsewhere.

 

[Deadeye]

I think the general tough plants like anubias or javas should be fine.

 

[kno4te]

I’d imagine it’d use the plants as a hide if in the open. Something that big (eventually get big) could mess with rooted plants. Not so much the carpeted plants. Have an open area for the fish to use. Maybe use some drift wood to block the plants and seal off from the fish. Could work in that way.

 

[nzafi]

I've done what you are considering (big fish and live plants) and my work around was to put the sword plants in terrcotta flowerpots . That way, I could use spot light lighting instead of the whole tank, target dose fertilizers when needed, and use plant substrate in the pots and other stone elsewhere.

Any pics of how you did this?

 

[nzafi]

I’d imagine it’d use the plants as a hide if in the open. Something that big (eventually get big) could mess with rooted plants. Not so much the carpeted plants. Have an open area for the fish to use. Maybe use some drift wood to block the plants and seal off from the fish. Could work in that way.

Yeah, im thinking of doing like an amazon sword in the middle with some petrified wood around it or something. My prior 2ft aimara just had completely open area. He would just like on the ground against the acrylic either on the back of the tank or one of the sides.

 

[dr exum]

could probably glue them to driftwood as well -

my lil guy 12” or so knocks over wood only but is not generally very rowdy

 

[dr exum]

how’s this going?

 

[nzafi]

how’s this going?

Haven't done anything. I have not been able to even find time to clean and plug my tank so its sitting dirty and empty in my family room. I was confident I was going to get it back up and running but not so much anymore. I have no idea when I will get to it. Between kids and working significantly more these days I just don't have time unfortunately.

 

[dr exum]

Haven't done anything. I have not been able to even find time to clean and plug my tank so its sitting dirty and empty in my family room. I was confident I was going to get it back up and running but not so much anymore. I have no idea when I will get to it. Between kids and working significantly more these days I just don't have time unfortunately.

i hear ya, i’ve been in a downsizing mode as well -

did you just need a new bulkhead or did your tank crack?