Severums and plants...

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo

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Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Dec 13, 2014
121
36
31
Pittsburgh
So I have a 6" RSS and a 6" notatus in a 75gal that I have. I absolutely love severums in a planted tank, but as many of you know, most of them feel differently. I am currently struggling with this lol.

My question is this. When I upgrade them to a 125, if I planted the fck out of it, and let those plants really root down and take over, would it last? My thinking is that essentially total plant growth would out weigh cichlid destruction. And the bigger plant that I have now can no longer be uprooted because it is so established. I know he (my rss is the main culprit) would desire some plants over others, but I'm hoping trial and error will get me a group of plants that would work in this situation. I'm also not sure where I would have to be on the overgrown/attractive ratio lol.

I've also thought of growing my own plants in a seperate tank just to stock the severum tank, at least save some money. Or even harvesting native plants? I'm very inexperienced with this kinda stuff and any input would be greatly appreciated. I don't wanna give up lol, but I don't wanna spend $20-$30 a week in plants. Hurts a little bit in the long run.

I'd love to see some of your both planted and plantless severum tanks. Maybe someone can sell me on a plantless tank lol. Thanks guys.

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I know I need a background.
 
I have mostly Anubias in my 135 with 2 severum and other fish. The sevs do chomp on the plants though. But I just love the look. I think you should try it. Propagating your own plants would definitely help the pocketbook.
IMG_20151115_200748.jpg
 
Severums tend to have herbivorous tendencies and most will treat your tank like a salad bowl.
Personally I would give up on the idea of plants with this species.
Why not try a scape with wood and roots,the effect can be very natural looking.
Here is a couple of my tanks with no plants.

DSC_0006~2~2.jpg



You can also add leaf litter to make the tank look natural and more furnished.

Lone angel two.jpg

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I have had luck with tougher plants like onion plant, anubias, hornwort, and green tiger lotus.
 
So I have a 6" RSS and a 6" notatus in a 75gal that I have. I absolutely love severums in a planted tank, but as many of you know, most of them feel differently. I am currently struggling with this lol.

My question is this. When I upgrade them to a 125, if I planted the fck out of it, and let those plants really root down and take over, would it last? My thinking is that essentially total plant growth would out weigh cichlid destruction. And the bigger plant that I have now can no longer be uprooted because it is so established. I know he (my rss is the main culprit) would desire some plants over others, but I'm hoping trial and error will get me a group of plants that would work in this situation. I'm also not sure where I would have to be on the overgrown/attractive ratio lol.

I've also thought of growing my own plants in a seperate tank just to stock the severum tank, at least save some money. Or even harvesting native plants? I'm very inexperienced with this kinda stuff and any input would be greatly appreciated. I don't wanna give up lol, but I don't wanna spend $20-$30 a week in plants. Hurts a little bit in the long run.

I'd love to see some of your both planted and plantless severum tanks. Maybe someone can sell me on a plantless tank lol. Thanks guys.

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I know I need a background.
Paint it black!
 
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