Barnhawk Posted October 22, 2015 Report Share Posted October 22, 2015 Hey everyone! I decided to set up a second tank and I decided to go into the planted lush tank look. I am totally new to the hobby and I knew pretty much nothing going in, especually about plants haha. I have spent the last 3 weeks or so researching a lot, so hopefully I have a basic grasp of the concepts. Anyway... I was looking for opinions on my hardscape. I will upload a few pictures and you guys can tell me what you think? I know the wood looks a bit doorky as the colours don't really match but I am going to put some moss or something on it so it blends in a bit more. ^^^ Just a basic layout, I was thinking of getting rid of the goldvine. The little stick of it is meant to represent a few more rocks there haha. Just a random scape I liked. Playing around with depth. This is how it has been for a few days, Its starting to grow on me. I plan on having a sword or two, some S.repens as a carpet (I know it will be a painstakinly slow process to carpet in a low tech tank. I also plan on having some dwarf sage and maybe some ludwigia and moss covering some of the stones. Sorry for the huge post but what do you think EDIT: Thanks for age of aquariums for all their guidance and help lately, top blokes there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heintz.G Posted October 22, 2015 Report Share Posted October 22, 2015 Second pic from the top does it me, it seems to give more overall height to the tank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Netto14 Posted October 22, 2015 Report Share Posted October 22, 2015 I like pic 2 and pic 4. Have you decided which fish will go in the tank? Will you be matching the fish to the plants they prefer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barnhawk Posted October 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2015 Thanks for the replies guys. As far as fish go I just want a fighting fish in there, with perhaps some snails or some dwarf fish (if he plays nice). I have decided to go with the second picture. I drew up a plan and would like to share it with you guys Im not sure on the S. repens carpet, maybe I should swap them and the Dwarf sag around. Not to sure on the red on the right side below the Lug/any other red plant. Also thinking of mixing an other plant between the sworrds and the red at the back/middle. What do you guys think? I plan on using some ferts, no CO2 system and a better light system (Something that would give me 2/2.4 watts per g as I am currently at 1.1) If something seems off please tell me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerbeer Posted October 22, 2015 Report Share Posted October 22, 2015 The second options works so well as it is what happens in nature, a seed gets caught in the flow of water and anchors at a rock outcropping. Plants if you look in a stream anchor for a reason. In terms of your plans, the things to remember are firstly, red plants need the high light to grow and keep a healthy red. Secondly the way to avoid algae is to balance fertilisers, CO2 and light. If you address only 2 of the 3 and have an out of balance, you will have algae. I think you need CO2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barnhawk Posted October 23, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2015 Can I get away with dosing "liquid" co2? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerbeer Posted October 23, 2015 Report Share Posted October 23, 2015 As you up the light you need to up the CO2, the issue is cost vs control. My first planted tanks I did DIY CO2 with yeast fermentation. It works and works well, but little control over the dose rates. I now use this on a little planted I did for my wife. http://www.thetechden.com.au/Ista_CO2_95g_Basic_Kit_p/i-687.htm It is easy to control and a low start up price. It is also small and being on the kitchen counter that is important. I have never tried liquid CO2 (I assume you are talking something like excel). Plants will get alternate forms of carbon but not as efficiently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
