Carbon? Nutrients?
- Thread starter Beeker
- Start date
I've seen beautiful polyresin (molded plastic) 'driftwood' and 'rocks' at a PJ's pet shop, and Big Al's has a great selection of rock, driftwood and bogwood.
Beeker said:
The one in the middle with the big leaves is, well, which one in the middle? One is Parrots Feather, the taller ones are Wisteria and the darker green one in the middle and at the back is Anacharis. The rocks are since removed but were from the family ranch. They were just raising my pH too much. I will likely mold some rocks later or find some that will work. If you like the Wisteria, I can tell you that it grows fast! I will have to rearrange soon it seems, but that's okay! I never would have dreamed growing plants in my aquarium would be both so affordable and easy. Good luck.
This plant guide is great because it lets you sort by type, difficulty, lighting requirements, etc.
Crypt balansae would be a good choice for your 75 gallon tank. It's a large crypt that's easy to grow. In fact, I recommend all cryptocoryne species for both your tanks. They don't need much light.
I find the big chain stores like petco and petsmart are not good for plants at all. Are there any other fish stores in your area? The smaller ones might be good to check, or at least call.
Anubias, java fern, java moss, and bolbitis are all nice when attached to wood or rocks. My personal favourites are vallisneria, echindorous, and sagittaria species. Some of them do require more light than others though.
Crypt balansae would be a good choice for your 75 gallon tank. It's a large crypt that's easy to grow. In fact, I recommend all cryptocoryne species for both your tanks. They don't need much light.
I find the big chain stores like petco and petsmart are not good for plants at all. Are there any other fish stores in your area? The smaller ones might be good to check, or at least call.
Anubias, java fern, java moss, and bolbitis are all nice when attached to wood or rocks. My personal favourites are vallisneria, echindorous, and sagittaria species. Some of them do require more light than others though.
That plantgeek site is a great site. I've been looking there a lot.
I only have two pet stores in my town. They both don't have a very wide selection of plants and they both don't label them. There are two smaller pet stores a half hour away that I can check out next time I'm in the area. I don't know what to expect though. I'll check around my cousin's pasture and my back yard for some nice rocks. I can just boil them and put them in my tank, right?
Blinky,
Is the plastic rock okay for the fins of a Beta? I wouldn't want my fish getting hurt. Also, do you have any other suggestions about sturdy, personable fish besides Cories and Platies that will get along with the beta? You were giving me more ideas about other fish when we left off yesterday in the other thread, "New setup new to me." I am open to suggestions.
Harlock,
I think it is the Wisteria. I was considering it. I'll have to look around some more on that plantgeek site and also compare to what the stores in town have.
I only have two pet stores in my town. They both don't have a very wide selection of plants and they both don't label them. There are two smaller pet stores a half hour away that I can check out next time I'm in the area. I don't know what to expect though. I'll check around my cousin's pasture and my back yard for some nice rocks. I can just boil them and put them in my tank, right?
Blinky,
Is the plastic rock okay for the fins of a Beta? I wouldn't want my fish getting hurt. Also, do you have any other suggestions about sturdy, personable fish besides Cories and Platies that will get along with the beta? You were giving me more ideas about other fish when we left off yesterday in the other thread, "New setup new to me." I am open to suggestions.
Harlock,
I think it is the Wisteria. I was considering it. I'll have to look around some more on that plantgeek site and also compare to what the stores in town have.
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Beeker, be careful on the rock issue. You'll want to put a few drops of vinegar on them and see if they bubble. Rocks that bubble are bad for tanks. I have been told that most sedimentary rocks are poor choices as well. Also, just so you know, your LFS may be able to special order plants for you. Mine did. In fact, it's how I got my Wisteria. It took them less than a week and they just got it in wih their regular shipment, so no shipping involved. I just paid regular price.
Any certain type of vinegar?
Good to hear about the special order. I'm still looking though. I haven't made my final decision yet.
The plant I was talking about was the tall one just to the right of the feathery looking one. I like that one. Is that the Wisteria?
Good to hear about the special order. I'm still looking though. I haven't made my final decision yet.
The plant I was talking about was the tall one just to the right of the feathery looking one. I like that one. Is that the Wisteria?
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I used plain old white vinegar you might have in a cupboard somewhere. And yes, that's my wisteria. I got it a week or two ago an it has already grown 1-2 inches! I plan on moving it around some and out of the middle of the tank. I'd like the middle clear for swimming.Beeker said:
Beeker I think your best bet would be to order plants online. Here's a good list of online stores.
If I lived in the U.S. I would probably order from aquabotanic. It's run by a fellow AC member, Robert H. I've also heard good things about aquariumlandscapes.
For rocks, generally quartz, granite, slate, and lava rock should be fine and not cause any problems. I believe limestone and some others can cause fluctuations in your PH and other parameters.
If I lived in the U.S. I would probably order from aquabotanic. It's run by a fellow AC member, Robert H. I've also heard good things about aquariumlandscapes.
For rocks, generally quartz, granite, slate, and lava rock should be fine and not cause any problems. I believe limestone and some others can cause fluctuations in your PH and other parameters.
Will the plants be okay if I put them on one end of the tank and on the other end leave one of my bubble bars? The fish like the bubbles.
Captain Hook,
Sounds good. I have some granite and quartz lying around. Thank you for the website.
Harlock,
I like to leave some swimming room for my fish too. I usually have the ornaments on the ends of the tank and one ornament that they like to swim through in the middle. When I start putting plants in that tank, the 75 gal., I will start with them on one end of the tank only.
Captain Hook,
Sounds good. I have some granite and quartz lying around. Thank you for the website.
Harlock,
I like to leave some swimming room for my fish too. I usually have the ornaments on the ends of the tank and one ornament that they like to swim through in the middle. When I start putting plants in that tank, the 75 gal., I will start with them on one end of the tank only.
