Plant ideas for a 150?

[Madding]

Hey guys and girls, I need some input from the plant experts.

I'm curious what plants would be suitable for a sand-bottomed 150 gallon tank, nearly three feet high.

What sort of bulb should best be able to reach the bottom? It's got a bunch of driftwood in it to build around, and a few stones.

It's also located next to a window, so some actual sunlight will be able to lend its help (or maybe not help, depending on algae growth)

[Bk828]

what kind of light fixture do you currently have?? how many watts does it put out?? for a 150g tank if you hit anywhere near 2wpg you should be able to grow many of the easy plants like moss, hygros, ferns, crypts, anubias.

[bluekrissyspike]

ooooo........ jealousy.
ok. java fern, lace java fern on the wood, with some x-mas and flame moss in different areas. anubias. some nice crypts. i just ordered a nice one that's red on one side and green on the other(looked it up, it's blassi). a melon or ozelot sword or something of that sort. you'll need some taller plants too. sunset hygro is nice, i think so anyways. there's so many to choose from. just don't add duckweed. that stuff is a real pain when it gets going. there's also a wide variety of grassy looking plants you could get. i wish i could find some Pogostemon helferi. that plant is beautiful. there are lots of american members on here that are always selling off plants.

[Dwarf Puffers]

LOTS of crypts in the mid-front. I mean a couple dozen at the very least. I know of a place in the UK that has them 50 for 20$ or something similar, I'm sure you could find them for a similar price if you looked :)

In front of them, HC, Riccia or dwarf hairgrass if you can care for them. If not, more small crypts ;)

In the middle, put a few swords around in the pockets that aren't taken by driftwood. On the driftwood, divide the tank into thirds. One third gets all different types of java fern, regular, windelov's, lace, trident, what have you. The middle portion gets mosses, flame, java, weeping, christmas, etc. The last section gets lots of anubias, petite, coffeefolia, anything you want ;).


In the back, any tall plants you like. Diversify, but not too too much. Try to stick to a few, not a jumble. Long sags and vals would look great. If there's any driftwood way in the back, save the largest anubias and java ferns for the driftwood back there, and tie the bulky mother plants onto it :)


Hope you like my ideas.

[tanker]

With a tank that tall ---IMO---you will need metal halid lights.

[Madding]

Wow, even better ideas than I was hoping for. I will check out the light fixture (Pretty sure it's an Eclipse, single long bulb as opposed to two smaller bulbs. Not sure on the wattage but it's really strong, probably florescent but I will double check.

Thanks guys.

[Madding]

How do you folks best buy your aquatic plants? From your LFS? Online?

I ask because my LFS is one of the better stores around here fish-wise (nothing compares within a 2 hour driving range) but they don't have a huge variety of plants. Dwarf Puffers, you listed a ton of good things but maybe half of it or less is actually at my LFS.

Do garden/plant stores carry aquatic plants or do you guys just have access to awesome LFS when it comes to plant selection?

[StarStruck8]

I buy all of my plants from members here in the classified section, or from aquabid.

[jenazen69]

I would try to fill your plant needs with the AC members. Most LFS are pretty pricey with plants. You will get more for your money by going to the AC members, and you will be able to ask what fertilizer, lighting, and Co2 the plants are being grown under.

[Madding]

First stage is under progress, I've got about ten crypts along the front of the tank with a few patches of dwarf grass just behind them. It's looking nice. I have to put a hold on doing the majority of the tank until I am positive about the placement of the driftwood.

As for putting plants onto driftwood, what is the easiest method? Fishing line? How long does it usually take the roots to attach themselves to the wood?

My girlfriend and I are planning on borrowing her dads digital camera so we can start taking pictures.