just started planting

thanks guys. those are some good ideas. is there some kind of subterate i could mix with the sand that would have fertilizer in it and still look ok? i think i saw a reddish coloured one online somewhere that might not look bad. i know my lps doesn't have any-they told me aquatic plants don't need ferts! lol. i will check out some driftwoods next time i am out. i love driftwoods. i see so many beautiful tanks on here, i appreciate the pointers. i will keep updating this thread as my tank progresses. is there anything else i should do?
 
lol....yeah, i hate that background! it came with the tank and it's been there so long i don't even notice it anymore. i took it off to switch it around, but the other side has pillars and statues on it.
i can't wait to get my next pay check so i can start switching things around more (:
if anyone knows about the fertilizer/sand q i asked or has anything else to add, please do so!!
 
hey, i did a bit of rearranging, and took out the aponogeton. i tried to give it some height without going and buying driftwood cause i don't have any 'pet store' money right now. i'm going to be switching the background to either dark blue or a rock wall looking pattern. i'm leaning towards dark blue right now. there are a bunch of crypts planted behind the moss/driftwood on the left that you cant see yet but i'm hoping they will grow in soon. how long do you think it will take for the crypts to grow? i have no co2 or anything. i'm also going to be adding a few more cories and i'm thinking of taking the guppies out and adding either some ember tetras or some cherry barbs. my bf keeps calling the moneywort 'that alien tenticle one' LMAO
wow. i didn't notice how crappy this pic looks until i posted it. i'll try to get a better one tonight..lol

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I like how you rearranged it and your angel is awesome! The crypts will take a little while to grow up but they should look awesome as a backdrop to your moss/driftwood on the left. Going good!
 
svf said:
I think that it is way easier to work with plants with a deeper substrate. The pound per gallon thing doesn't seem to be enough for me - I like it deeper so the plants have room to root. It's also WAY easier to get them to stay in place. I like to have it deeper in the back, angling to shallower in the front.
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I agree. I started with the pound/gallon and found it difficult to cover the roots of all my plants. I added an extra 20lb bag of gravel, and it makes all the difference.

I also have discovered that where I once thought some driftwood is "too big" for a tank, that ends up not being true. Once the plants grow in, it looks really cool.
 
looking good. As far as a plant specific substrate to mix with your sand I use eco-complete or seachem's flourite.

By the way ideas substrate depth is about 3 inches for plants

and as mentioned above it really works well to slope it so it's deeper in back.
 
so here's some shots that i think r a bit clearer. switched out the background this afternoon. it's not exactly the color i wanted but it was a gift and i think it looks pretty good.

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my one floating peice of water sprite has exploded in size this week

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and my crypts are starting to take on their new colors. one is wendtii bronze and the other is red. when i added them to the tank a couple days ago they were both green and hard to tell apart. now i c they are definately different

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here's a coconut cave covered in (mts and)a mossball which i flattened out because it was deformed
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thanks! i can't wait to get my vals in a couple weeks.
 
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