First low-tech planted tank attempt...opinions?

[Cecropia]

29 gallon with black sand substrate. Lighting is 2x 11w 6500k cfl bulbs. Dosing 5ml of excell a day, 4 seachem flourish tabs in the substrate.

stock: 4 koi angels (grow outs) 3 yo yo loaches, 1 EBJD
plants: water wisteria, java moss, red ludwigia, red tiger lotus ( that won't grow any bigger than quater size leaves then they melt?)

first pic is initial planting, second is after 5 weeks. Any ideas for how to make this tank look better? Pardon the green dust algae in the first pic. I didn't want it floating in my water making my pics look even worse than they do already

 

[knifegill]

It's a great start! A little cleanup and growout time should really put a shine on it.

 

[jcardona1]

thats some good growth! if youre aiming to improve the looks, i would doing some rock/driftwood aquascpaing. as it stands, there's no design to it. it appears as thoughg the plants were just dropped into place

 

[Sab_Fan]

as it stands, there's no design to it. it appears as thoughg the plants were just dropped into place

I second that . . . that's one of the things I struggle with in my tanks too, I'm seldom satisfied with the layout

but now that you know the plants will grow, that gives you an opportunity to figure out how you want to 'scape it . . .

 

[rene310]

i think u need a biger tank

 

[jcardona1]

i think u need a biger tank

 

[Gho3t]

jcardona1 if I shot you some pics of my tank and specs can you help me out on what plants I should stock it with? I am also working on my first low tech planted tank. Its a 10 gallon and thanks to tropicalking I was able to get my diyc02 working. Right now I just kinda lost on what to plant in it

 

[jcardona1]

sure lemme know

 

[Zander_The_RBP]

thats some good growth! if youre aiming to improve the looks, i would doing some rock/driftwood aquascpaing. as it stands, there's no design to it. it appears as thoughg the plants were just dropped into place

i aggree a good planted tank always features hardscape (rocks and wood) just as much as it does plants it adds a much more natural and pleasing look.

the best tanks have some plants growing right into or on the rocks and wood but not so many that they can't be seen

 

[Myarbro]

i think u need a biger tank

:WTF:

Care to explain why?