Too Many Plants?

[aardvark1]

Here's a pic of my 29 gallon tank:

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n215/artbitt/fish/June2007020.jpg

Believe it or not, there are 10+ neons, 6 Black Neons, 5 Glolight Tetra, 6 assorted Danios and 3 oto's ( and some Brig snails). Hard to tell with all the plants that grow too much/fast and block the light (Coralfe Freshwater fixture with 2 18 watt T5 tubes). I'm trimming 2-3 inches from the top every week during my weekly water change.

Main plants are Ludwegia and Bacopa ( I think it's called), some dwarf sag and an anubias nana.

How would you re-do the plants to allow more light and better viewing of the fishies? I have a UV filter in the left rear corner and the intake for the HOT Magnum is in the right rear corner; don't like to see equipment in my tanks.

Thinking of moving all the Ludwegia to left side and Bacopa to the right, leaving the sag where it is and planting the anubia in the middle back.

Comments/ ideas?

[Nolapete]

Cut it down to half the tank height and give me a price on the bag of cuttings. I'd love to have some.

[Nolapete]

Yep, I'm pretty sure it's bacopa.

[247Plants]

Looks like bacopa to me too

[Nolapete]

I have an idea that might look cool.

Move half the tall plants to the back left 1/3 of the tank. Move the other half of the tall plants to the front right 1/3 of the tank. Make the middle front and middle back overlap visually, so you can't see the back of the tank. This will leave you with a diagonal from the front left to back right of the tank. From the front left take the shorter plants and curve them into center like you are going up a ramp for a circular parking garage. Take some plants about half the height of the tank and follow the backside of the ramp. If you need a diagram, I can make something real quick and dirty for you.

[Nolapete]

Here's a diagram. You could put a nice piece of malaysian driftwood coming from the back empty part peaking through the plants in the center.

[Andrew225]

Well, you could do any idea up here...

or, atke out a few and send 'em to me, i'm having a super hard time finding plants :p

[aardvark1]

That's sorta what I had in mind.

Bacopa (thanks for confirming my faulty memory-bought the start of those a long time ago-4 stems that i have in 3 tanks now!) on one side/back and the Ludwegia (Repens?) on the other side/back.

Spread the sag out and replant the Anubia (on the right side in front-lost in the darkness) in the middle/back.

This way I'll have more light in the tank, more open area so I can enjoy the fishies (maybe even see them!). They will still have the cover to escape to if they feel the need at the sides.

[Mgamer20o0]

move the tall plants to the back and sides. that way you can see the driftwood better and more swimming area.

[mellowvision]

there's driftwood in there?

[Mgamer20o0]

quick look... i thought there was... maybe not....... hard to tell but thats the point lol

[aardvark1]

there's driftwood in there?

:):):):)

Nope-no driftwood!

That I know of, anyway!

COuld be Jimmy Hoffa,the Elephants Graveyard and the Flying Dutchman back there in the jungle.

My plan (I had a plan?:)) was a wall of plants in the back; was impatient for them to grow in. Now that they have, and the constant trimming and the Dark appearance of the tank has led me to seek another avenue in 'scaping the tank.

When I get this tank under control, then it's the 20 Gallon Tiger Barb and 55 Gal Angel tank next; both in the same sort of "Jungleness". I know I got at least 6 corys in the 55, but have to search with a machete and native guides to find them.

Least with the over abundance of foliage, the algae has gone away....

[geofied]

Well, there are some good suggestions already. I just want to re-iterate. If you keep the tallest plants along the back and sides, your lights will be able to illuminate the middle, foreground, and sides of the tall ones, giving a better appearance of depth (3D depth) and allowing your shorter plants and the bottoms of tall ones more light.

Embrace your good growth, and let some of that Ludwigia poke out the top (it just loves that). Just let your light get some room to shine.

[Temo]

there is one that i see

[John N.]

Great growth on the tank and the perfect amount of plants! I would trim and tier the plants from high to low to create the appearance of more open space. I love the white sand.

-John N.

[cichlidkeeper91]

**** those are some tall plants. Try cutting them a little.