36 Gallon Asian Aquarium

[fishboy7]

Instead of an Amazon tank, I have decided to set up an Asian Aquarium. I plan on getting 25 Harlequin Rasboras, 2 Honey Gouramis, and 10 Ghost Shrimp. I plan on having a 40 gallon sponge filter, a 45 gallon external power filter with a pre-filter sponge, a 40 gallon heater, peat filtration, flourescent lighting, and a sand substrate. Should I get live plants for this tank? What are the pros and cons of getting plants? If I do, what kind of supplies should I get? Will my aerator connect to my sponge filter? Any ideas on other kinds of fish I should or could get? Finally, any ideas on natural decor for the tank?

 

[Chrisinator]

If you really want a biotope aquarium, sounds like you want to, then I'd add asian plants. That'll make it so it's a real tank.

 

[user_name]

driftwood looks great when combined with plants, do you have a hood light on top of the tank? I would get either driftwood with plants, or rocks with plants.

 

[user_name]

some good lowlight easy to take care of lowlight plants are java moss and java fern which both come from asia.

 

[fishboy7]

Wow! That was a very fast response! I'm impressed! Anyways, can you answer my other questions about plants? Oh, and yes, i do have a flourescent light on top of my tank.

 

[Chrisinator]

Your aerator should connect to your sponge filter. But with plants, CO2 is always a plus.

 

[fishboy7]

Can you tell me what supplies I would need to care for plants? Also, any recommendations on tall, leafy plant species and short grass-like plant species?

 

[Piranha86]

Sounds very cool! For a short plant, java moss is always good. A tall leafy plant would be java fern. Both are from asia (java, duh) and are easy to grow in low light conditions. If you got the Aqueon kit (which I have as well), you have about 2 watts per gallon, which is suitable for some plants, but not others. I don't know if crypts are asian, but they are a good low light as well.

 

[user_name]

There honestly isn't any cons about getting plants, except that if you don't do certain precautions first you might end up with snails. With normal lighting, try to stay away from red plants, as I believe they need much more light ussually. Try to stick to easy begginer greeny plants.

 

[user_name]

Sounds very cool! For a short plant, java moss is always good. A tall leafy plant would be java fern. Both are from asia (java, duh) and are easy to grow in low light conditions. If you got the Aqueon kit (which I have as well), you have about 2 watts per gallon, which is suitable for some plants, but not others. I don't know if crypts are asian, but they are a good low light as well.

aqueon kit is a deal, my second 10 g is one of those.....