I need ideas...
- Thread starter BigAds
- Start date
I'd agree with changing the background and giving some low light plants a try. It's amazing the difference they make.
Oh, and I'd stick to just the Ram. That angel will definitely over stock the tank!
Oh, and I'd stick to just the Ram. That angel will definitely over stock the tank!
Don't worry, I've got plans to move her elsewhere before she gets too big... that's about 14 years down the road anyway.I'd agree with changing the background and giving some low light plants a try. It's amazing the difference they make.
Oh, and I'd stick to just the Ram. That angel will definitely over stock the tank!
One other reason I've stayed away from plants is I've been worried about getting decent coverage with them... finding some plants that I thought filled out the tank well enough.
I don't know how well or how easy it would be to do Java Fern, Java Moss or Christmas Moss, Anubias, and something floating that wouldn't cover too much like Giant Salvina. I just don't know how I'd get anything tall in there for the background. And with all of that, I wouldn't have a clue how I'd keep any of the plants healthy, trimmed, and everything clean.
Plants are easier than most people think. I was actually very leary of them at first myself. As long as you stick with lower light plants, they're easy. Your current lighting should work and unless you want increased growth, you shouldn't need to add ferts. Java ferns grow fairly tall as does anacharis for the background. You can also attach anubias and ferns (as well as moss) to rocks or wood which make them appear taller. Some create moss walls to use on the back or sides of their tanks as well.
It's a nice wee tank
I found when I moved to real plants I didn't have to worry so much about the aquascaping - they just look natural, end of.
I'd stand the driftwood up, and get some more of everything. Taller plants at the back, shorter at the front, a few pebbles here and there.
I found when I moved to real plants I didn't have to worry so much about the aquascaping - they just look natural, end of.
I'd stand the driftwood up, and get some more of everything. Taller plants at the back, shorter at the front, a few pebbles here and there.
It's big to us :silly:It's a nice wee tank
I found when I moved to real plants I didn't have to worry so much about the aquascaping - they just look natural, end of.
I'd stand the driftwood up, and get some more of everything. Taller plants at the back, shorter at the front, a few pebbles here and there.
We started with a 2.5 gallon betta tank (not in use anymore)... picked up 10 gallons about 7 months after that... then this 36 a couple months ago. We haven't settled on where we want to buy our first house so it's apartment living for now and we just don't have the space for anything large. I can't get my wife to give in to a 55 yet... so I'm looking into upgrading the 10 to a 20H or a 29 eventually.
I'll try standing the wood up (have to figure out which way still) and I'm definitely going to find some small rocks to spread around... I'm also looking into increasing the lighting to ~1.5-2 wpg (for cheap) and then changing out the fake plants for Java Fern, Java or Christmas Moss, Anubias, Amazon Sword, or whatever to have some thick, very low maintenance/demand plants growing on the driftwood in there. I am still a bit worried about only having short plants in the bottom half of the tank and the top seeming too empty... I don't know if I should give in and buy some 10-15" (silk) Crypto Wendtii to fill in the back or some floating plants (fake or real) with roots hanging down. I refuse to cross the line to needing ferts or CO2...
Really appreciate the help here everyone... even if my wife thinks I'm crazy for buying all those fake plants then wanting to get real ones anyway.
I just blame all of you :grinyes:
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LOL... hey, when I started out I only had one tank... I've added 15 since joining this site and I'm trying to make more room in my fish room.
I have a bowfront too 
I try to take advantage of the extra front-to-back space to create depth. With that said, plastic plants would still work nicely if you:
1. Add more items (plants, rocks, etc.) because the tank does look sparce
2. Create variety and contrast in your plants (different colours, leaf shapes, sizes) and position them in a gradient like Coler said to create depth
3. Change the background because it's a bit distracting
4. Mix in some real plants
5. Decorate the driftwood with plants, either attached on top or right beside
Here's a photo of someone's tank designed with plastic plants and I think it looks great - http://www.ratemyfishtank.com/images/thumbimg/650/8364_31.JPG
I try to take advantage of the extra front-to-back space to create depth. With that said, plastic plants would still work nicely if you:1. Add more items (plants, rocks, etc.) because the tank does look sparce
2. Create variety and contrast in your plants (different colours, leaf shapes, sizes) and position them in a gradient like Coler said to create depth
3. Change the background because it's a bit distracting
4. Mix in some real plants
5. Decorate the driftwood with plants, either attached on top or right beside
Here's a photo of someone's tank designed with plastic plants and I think it looks great - http://www.ratemyfishtank.com/images/thumbimg/650/8364_31.JPG
With minimal light, swords may be a bit constrained. Melon swords and the ike have done well for me under limited lighting, but others will die off.
