Your feedback on these planted tanks is wanted

[Pyramid_Party]

Hi,


So I have a 10 gallon and 29 gallon planted tank. Both are pretty low tech. What I want is your feedback on plants used, locations of plants and other structures like rocks and wood. And I would like feedback on a carpet plant I could use. Right now I have dwarf hairgrass in both tanks. I have been dosing excel 2x recommended dose and it is really not spreading out. I don;t know whether to keep trying with it or switch to something else. Both of these tanks have been up for about 6 months.


10 gallon

(2) Two GE 15 watt CFL bulbs (both 6500K), lights on a timer for 8 Hrs daily
Eco complete substrate
Daily excel dosing (2x recommended dose)
Weekly fert dosing of potassium nitrate, mono potassium phosphate, and seachem equilibrium (which is a powder that contains iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese etc)

Weekly water changes of 25-30%

Plants: Dwarf hairgrass, rotala indica, dwarf sag, crypts, java fern, java moss on wood

Fish: 5 neon tetras, 1 female betta, 3 ottos


29 gallon

Coralife dual T5NO bulbs (6500K, and colormax bulb), lights on a timer for 9 Hrs daily

Eco complete substrate mixed with regular play sand
Daily excel dosing (2x recommended dose)
Same fert dosing schedule as 10 gallon tank, but higher amounts
Same water change schedule as 10 gallon


Plants: Dwarf hairgrass, rotala indica, crypts, java fern, java moss on wood, dwarf lily, wisteria


Livestock: Few CPO's, and 4 ottos

First set of pics are the 29 gallon and the other set is the 10 gallon. Also included are 2 other tanks I keep that are extremely low tech But I added them for fun. Please ignore the filter intakes with sponges on them and heaters. This tanks are not really show tanks. Just would like feedback on the plants and the set up. Thank you

 

[WyldFya]

The first tank has its structure too centered. You are losing the edges of the tank. Move the structure outward, and add something smaller opposite it. The second tank lacks structure, and needs something to help give depth. Both tanks need some time to grow, but they are a good start.

 

[Pyramid_Party]

Thanks for the feedback. I think I will pull the driftwood in the 29 gallon back toward the left closer to the wisteria. That would allow the rotala and dwarf lily that are being blocked to be more viewable. There is also a small piece of wood with java fern attached in the back that is right to the bigger wood with moss. Should I leave that there or move it? Should I add anything plantwise to fill that area?


As for the 10 gallon, yeah I been a little frustrated with it. Now sure what to do right now. I think I will remove the fern. There is some dwarf sag right where the empty area is, I was hoping it would fill out and turn to a small bushy area there. Not really sure on whether to remove it and use another plant or add some other objects like wood or rocks. What would you suggest? Any suggestions/comments for the carpet plant? Thanks

 

[Pyramid_Party]

Anyone else?

 

[Pyramid_Party]

I adjusted the driftwood in the 29 gallon and it now looks like this

 

[WyldFya]

With the angle of the driftwood, combined with the moss, I would push it right to help cover the heater. The round river rock on the right would be good to anchor the driftwood as more natural. Have the wood wrap right around it, and move it to the third division point on the right. Then moving the wisteria to cover the heater will give sharp contrast once it grows in, against the moss' dark color. The crypt would look good up near the red rock, which I would move back to ~half way depthwise. This will draw a eye to the red of the crypt, the lily and the rock. The java fern would make a great wrap around plant near the base of the large round river rock. A good carpeting plant for this tank would be marisilea minuta if you want round leaves that are dark, or Blyxa japonica if you want more of a grass look.

 

[FLESHY]

Has potential man....the dw does need some adjusting, and as the crypts and wisteria grow in you are going to want some plants in front of them to "terrace" your scape with. GL, looks good so far!

 

[Pyramid_Party]

Yeah I wanan get a carpet going. Problem is no Co2. I do use excel, though it's not working so well. I was thinking about using a DIY Co2 on the 29 gallon though. And then I would just dose excel on the 10 gallon. But still need to find an appropriate carpet plant. The dwarf hairgrass is not working so well. But I might try Wyldfya's suggestions. Do those carpet plants need Co2 supplements?

 

[Pyramid_Party]

I am gonna do alot of rearranging soon on both tanks. I am gonna follow a bit of WyldFya's advice. I also plan to add 1-2 new plant to the mix. Any plants you guys suggest? I know an LFS that has a pretty good selection of plants. But I don't mind ordering online.

 

[Pyramid_Party]

WyldFya, is this more of what you were talking about? I am also gonna add a plant or 2 to the left side in the back that is empty. Tell me what you think now.