how many varieties of plants

[cpm6t]

I am starting to plant my 220g tank. Currently I have 3 types of Sword plants, cabomba plants, and two more varieties (a short plant for the foreground and a longer one, don't know the names are).

There is space to put some more plants ( I want this to end up as a densely planted tank).

Usually how many varieties of plants people put in a planted tank. Does it look better if you stick with few varieties or lot of varieties. Would it look unnatural to have many varieties in the same tank (may be 10-15)?

I just would like the opinion of people who have planted tanks.

Also should I plant densely right away or wait for the plants to spread naturally over time and make it a dense plantation? I don't mind waiting for 6 months, but don't want to wait for 1 year for that to happen. (I do not use CO2 by the way and have medium lighting)

 

[J0ker]

In a tank that size I do not think it would look unnatural to have 10-15 different types of plants... But without CO2 and better lighting they will not grow very quickly

 

[Chuncan]

Id have to say a tank with too many different species of plant would look unnatural. Its up to you though. Keep in mind some plant species dont do well with each other i.e. Some plants consume so much CO2 and oxygen that other plants dont get enough and dont grow very well.


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[Fishboynick]

I don't think that there is really a rule for this sort of thing. I have 8 species in my 30 tall.

But what I feel is most important is the contrast and likeness of each species of plant. For example. 4 out of the 8 of my plants are all ferns. They all are a bit different but share a very similar shape. I would say that many species is a good thing if you can pick and place great plants and plant placement for them.


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[octavusprime]

It really depends. Some styles of aquascaping are hard to do with 10+ plants. I've seen biotype tanks with 1 species look amazing. A Dutch style tank usually has 10+ and look great. They are drastically different styles and have drastically different looks to them.

You could do alot of things with a 225 gallon tank. I would decide what style you wish to eminate and go from there.

 

[octavusprime]

Also should I plant densely right away or wait for the plants to spread naturally over time and make it a dense plantation? I don't mind waiting for 6 months, but don't want to wait for 1 year for that to happen. (I do not use CO2 by the way and have medium lighting)

If I can give you some advice, I would plant as heavy as possible. The heavier the planting in the beginning the less likely you will have huge algae issues due to excess nutrients in the water column.

 

[kamikaziechameleon]

There is no number on plant species, my 40 gallon has ... well over 10 species in it and looks great.

Could feature even more honestly but its all about servicing your aquascape intent. Know that plants can often go up in light but not down. I have a high light tank and 2/3 of the plants are medium or low light. I just wanted high for my carpet plants, micro swords and baby tears. As far as plants that consumer CO2 and other nutrients, those are your fast growing plants, mainly stems. Never had an issue with them out competing other plants though as long as you are dosing properly its not an issue. If you can layer the plants in a way were they compliment each other concievably you could have 50 or more species in that tank. You just have to understand how the sight lines play off each other and make sure they blend well with the hardscape. Enjoy.

 

[isellcars]

I have at least 15 different types of plants in my 90g. The thing I have done is mix my plants so they don't have to compete for light. I also have tried to get plants with red leaves or some color mixed in with just the plain green plants. I like the variety and in the next few months when they really start to take off it should be really full and plenty of hiding spaces. I do want to go high tech and set up a co2 system just not sure what to get or what I really need.


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