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DGalt
09-27-2008, 12:53 PM
So in my ongoing effect to rid myself of algae I am going to be adding some more plants to the tank along with a CO2 system. I've been looking for a centerpiece anyway, so I figure a fast growing plant would probably be the best choice considering my current situation.

I don't have a current photo of the tank, but here's basically how it's set up:
http://i319.photobucket.com/albums/mm462/DGalt11/NewTank2.jpg

Just imagine the amazon sword in the center is gone and the alternanthera on the left also doesn't exist. The rotala in the back left has grown out some, and the clover has finally all converted over to submerged form, but otherwise the tank is set up basically the same way as shown in the picture.

any suggestions are welcome :)

bushwhacker
09-27-2008, 2:22 PM
whats wrong with the sword as a center piece? unless its covered in algae, i have 2 in my 55 tho they are off to the side
http://i338.photobucket.com/albums/n438/bushwhacker_01/9-20-08005.jpg

DGalt
09-27-2008, 3:22 PM
it wasn't doing well. leaves were dieing, gathering algae, etc.

Riiz
09-27-2008, 3:25 PM
Nothings wrong with swords, except they get huge and will shade out the other plants, I made the mistake months ago with purchasing 13 juvenile swords. I have always loved the look, but after enough light and nutrients they all grew over 2 feet tall and filled the aquarium with their leaves, which later I had to remove, which I was sad to do, since I spent so much time caring for them.

Red Rubin swords are alot smaller and make a prefect red centerpiece, but arent fast growers, but you can protect them by planting alot of stems to prevent algae from getting a foothold, and manual hand cleaning will keep the leaves clean.

theredchaser
09-27-2008, 7:22 PM
I have a couple of red rubins next to my amazons that grow just as fast, just need to trim off the outer leaves to promote growth. They seem to be one of my hardier plants and I don't have to worry about algea with some otos.

I have a red tiger lotus as my centerpiece but its truely a hit or miss plant it seems if you buy a bulb. My biggest one has leaves over 10 inches across while my other bulbs rotted away. Go figure.

DGalt
09-28-2008, 11:37 AM
Well like I said, I need something that is going to basically use up any extra nutrients. people have suggested wisteria and hornwort. Just looking for other suggestions