I have a 10 gallon aquarium, yes it's quite small but I don't have space for anything larger regretfully. But anyways, i want to make it look as nice as it can. I want to aquascape it nicely. Right now it's okay, with 2 medium sized amazon swords (which I had for more than 2 years) and a piece of bogwood and some rocks. Anyone have suggestions for how many and what types of plants I should get for my aquarium? And what rocks? And can someone suggest a layout plan? I'm new to aquascaping. Thanks for all your help!
Aquascaping for 10 gallon aquarium
- Thread starter virtuoso735
- Start date
If you like the look of fern like plants look into Java Fern. It will fill out much nicer than the swords in yuor 10 gallon. Swords really can't grow very well in a 10 gallon (I know as I have one as well), but java fern will really take off.
I would go with plants that have smaller leaves to give a sense of the tank being larger than it is.
What to suggest depends very much on how much lighting you have, whether or not you inject co2 and if you fertilize.
Generally, you want a foreground plant that forms a carpet (glossostigma, marsilea, dwarf hairgrass, etc), a midground section (stargrass, anubias, stem plants) and a background (grasses, most stem plants). Then, you'd want to add a few nice rocks or pieces of small driftwood in places that seem fitting.
Aim to make one focal point within the tank (a burst of red plants, a rock, a branch or negative space and then work around that.
First, I suggest going around to the plant sites and competitions and looking around for inspiration
http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/2004.cgi?
www.aquaticplantcentral.com - Check out the Aquascaping Forum
http://www.aqua-shopping.com/cnt/gallery/index2.htm
http://www.aquariumdesigngroup.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&wrap=Portfolio
Those are all wonderful places to go to
Also, I did a ten gallon that you can see in my signature link
What to suggest depends very much on how much lighting you have, whether or not you inject co2 and if you fertilize.
Generally, you want a foreground plant that forms a carpet (glossostigma, marsilea, dwarf hairgrass, etc), a midground section (stargrass, anubias, stem plants) and a background (grasses, most stem plants). Then, you'd want to add a few nice rocks or pieces of small driftwood in places that seem fitting.
Aim to make one focal point within the tank (a burst of red plants, a rock, a branch or negative space and then work around that.
First, I suggest going around to the plant sites and competitions and looking around for inspiration
http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/2004.cgi?
www.aquaticplantcentral.com - Check out the Aquascaping Forum
http://www.aqua-shopping.com/cnt/gallery/index2.htm
http://www.aquariumdesigngroup.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&wrap=Portfolio
Those are all wonderful places to go to
Also, I did a ten gallon that you can see in my signature link
When I did my 10g I used a piece of driftwood that goes almost the entire length of the tank, and worked around it - I've seen some gorgeous small tanks that are very full-looking, and wanted to try that look.
I'd add Cryptocoryne wendtii to the list of suggested plants - mine are doing well and I think they look quite nice in a 10g.
One suggestion I read over and over is to plan the tank out on paper (or computer) first - it seems to really work, at least for me. I drew out a plan for my 10g and I liked the results. My 65g hasn't been planned at all, I just placed the plants in randomly, and it doesn't look tidy at all - I'm working on planning it out and changing things around, but it's much easier to plan first!
[edit] Leopardess - WOW, nice 10g![/edit]
I'd add Cryptocoryne wendtii to the list of suggested plants - mine are doing well and I think they look quite nice in a 10g.
One suggestion I read over and over is to plan the tank out on paper (or computer) first - it seems to really work, at least for me. I drew out a plan for my 10g and I liked the results. My 65g hasn't been planned at all, I just placed the plants in randomly, and it doesn't look tidy at all - I'm working on planning it out and changing things around, but it's much easier to plan first!
[edit] Leopardess - WOW, nice 10g![/edit]
Just remember, you ARE planning out a garden. Making plots and drawing it out before-hand are almost a must if you're trying to make anything artistic.
I think it depends on the person Many people just look at others tanks or decide what they like with their hands in the tank. Amano doesn't make graphs Of course, it can be helpful if you're that sort of person.
Many people just look at others tanks or decide what they like with their hands in the tank. Amano doesn't make graphs Of course, it can be helpful if you're that sort of person.
how do you get the carpeted foreground look? If I buy just one dwarf sword plant, it will cost me 3 dollars. And to carpet it would cost a lot if I want to cover it. Do they just multiply? Which plants can spread throughout the floor and reproduce quickly?
And do you guys reccomend liquid fertilizers?
And do you guys reccomend liquid fertilizers?
Some plants are better suited as carpet plants than others. You're probably going to need a high amount of light however, if you want your plant to grow out rather than upwards.
http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_list.php?category=5&filter=&filter_by=2&page=1
microsword, glosso, dwarf hairgrass and a few others will give you that nice carpeted look.
I've heard you can find brazillian micro sword almost anywhere, I bought some at petco recently. It took it about 3 weeks to start sending off runners and that was even with only 2.5 wpg and no substrate/liquid ferts. Buy a few clumps for a larger aquarium or just 1 for a smaller one and give it time.
I recently redid my substrate and added a laterite layer, I broke up some of the larger clumps and planted them evenly around the foreground, hopefully it will grow in nicely. I also bought some trace¯o liquid fertilizer for about 4$, we'll see if it makes a difference.
Even though I love the look of glosso, it seems it's way overdone so I wanted to try a different plant.
http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_list.php?category=5&filter=&filter_by=2&page=1
microsword, glosso, dwarf hairgrass and a few others will give you that nice carpeted look.
I've heard you can find brazillian micro sword almost anywhere, I bought some at petco recently. It took it about 3 weeks to start sending off runners and that was even with only 2.5 wpg and no substrate/liquid ferts. Buy a few clumps for a larger aquarium or just 1 for a smaller one and give it time.
I recently redid my substrate and added a laterite layer, I broke up some of the larger clumps and planted them evenly around the foreground, hopefully it will grow in nicely. I also bought some trace¯o liquid fertilizer for about 4$, we'll see if it makes a difference.
Even though I love the look of glosso, it seems it's way overdone so I wanted to try a different plant.
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Can anyone tell me what the plant that carpets the floor of this aquariam is?
http://www.plantgeek.net/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=344
http://www.plantgeek.net/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=344