I have a 55 gal community tank and am looking to purchase plants. Just built a hood that houses 4-32w T-8 lights so lighting won't be a problem. Substrate is small, natural looking gravel but I'm planning on supplementing with Shultz aquatic plant soil. How much will I need? I've been browsing forums, ebay, aquatic dealers, and now that I have more knowledge, I'm more confused than ever on what to get. I like this package http://www.aquaticplantdepot.com/75gallonkit.html but it's for a 75 gal. I also like this one http://www.azgardens.com/habitats_south.php but have heard bad thing about azgardens. The only thing I'm certain on is that I want some sort of "carpet" in the front such as glossostigma or microsword. Also, currently I have a big ship as the center piece (don't ask, wife likes it), but I'm looking for something different. Maybe driftwood but I'm leaning towards rocks of some sort. Any idea where to look for cool rocks? Thanks for any help.
Just starting and looking for plant package
- Thread starter remington
- Start date
To be honest I wouldn't buy a package. I would much rather pick my favourite plants and go from there. Here's an example of what I'm planning on doing with the 72 gallon when I set it up:
Vallisneria Spiralis
Rotala Indica
Crypt Tropica
Eleocharis Parvulus (hairgrass carpet)
Altheranthera Roseafolia
Echindorous Parviflorus
Limnophila Aquatica
Bolbitis, Java Fern, Java Moss, and Anubias on mopani driftwood
For good pics and info on these and other plants I highly recommend www.plantgeek.net and also www.tropica.com
Vallisneria Spiralis
Rotala Indica
Crypt Tropica
Eleocharis Parvulus (hairgrass carpet)
Altheranthera Roseafolia
Echindorous Parviflorus
Limnophila Aquatica
Bolbitis, Java Fern, Java Moss, and Anubias on mopani driftwood
For good pics and info on these and other plants I highly recommend www.plantgeek.net and also www.tropica.com
Good advice from the Hookmeister!!!
When ordering plant packages, many newbies end up with a lot of plants that they either can't use(size), don't like, or are not conducive to setting up a new aquarium.
You will have just over 2 watts/gal. It would be a good idea to get plants that will grow well in that environment. And rather than 2 or 3 plants of 10 - 20 varieties, getting 5 - 10 varieties of stem plants which will come in bunches and will help you to mature your tank and enable you to add fish earlier and with a greater degree of safety.
BTW, if you go with stems, you will get away a lot less expensively than going the 'package' route.
Len
When ordering plant packages, many newbies end up with a lot of plants that they either can't use(size), don't like, or are not conducive to setting up a new aquarium.
You will have just over 2 watts/gal. It would be a good idea to get plants that will grow well in that environment. And rather than 2 or 3 plants of 10 - 20 varieties, getting 5 - 10 varieties of stem plants which will come in bunches and will help you to mature your tank and enable you to add fish earlier and with a greater degree of safety.
BTW, if you go with stems, you will get away a lot less expensively than going the 'package' route.
Len
agreed, I have just started with plants myself going asian as my fish are asian in the 20 gallon tank. My bio is starting with 3 java ferns and a bunch of java moss which has got some new growth starting on it. I ordered some of my plants off of
http://www.aquabid.com They arived in good health and the person I ordered from was very helpful he gave me the water params he is growing the plants out of.
http://www.aquabid.com They arived in good health and the person I ordered from was very helpful he gave me the water params he is growing the plants out of.
I was planning on ordering plants from azgardens too but have not yet. What's bad about them? I looked up the plant kit I wanted (Asian habitat) and about half of them are stem plants right?
How about something like this?
55 gallon
The Forest Edge Garden
6 Java Fern
15 Micro tenellus bunches
2 Tiger Lotus
2 Gold Lloydiella
2 Red Foxtail
1 Red Temple
3 Java Moss
Click here
55 gallon
The Forest Edge Garden
6 Java Fern
15 Micro tenellus bunches
2 Tiger Lotus
2 Gold Lloydiella
2 Red Foxtail
1 Red Temple
3 Java Moss
Click here
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Thanks for the advice everyone. I like your choice of plants Hook. Have any sketches on how you're planning on setting everything up? And how many of each plant are you gonna have?
djlen: I already have fish in the tank and it's been set up for a little over 6 months. Stock consists of:
1- blue gourami
8- black widow tetras
2- pictus catfish
2- clown loaches
4- orange platys
1- red tailed shark
1- chinese algae eater
djlen: I already have fish in the tank and it's been set up for a little over 6 months. Stock consists of:
1- blue gourami
8- black widow tetras
2- pictus catfish
2- clown loaches
4- orange platys
1- red tailed shark
1- chinese algae eater
Haha thanks len. I have a sketch of my plan, I can try and scan it this weekend and post it here.
I basically want lots of a few types, rather than tons of different plants. Len has the right idea with this as well. The back right of the tank will be giant vals in the back with a bunch of spiral vals in front of those. Middle will have driftwood with plants in the middle and roseafolia in the back. Left side will have background indica and limnophila aquatica.
2 Ech. parviflorus swords in the left midground. Crypt tropica middle right midground beside or around driftwood. Hairgrass carpet covering much of the foreground.
Sorry can't give you exact number of plants but I'm sure it will take quite a few to make the tank look nice and full!
I basically want lots of a few types, rather than tons of different plants. Len has the right idea with this as well. The back right of the tank will be giant vals in the back with a bunch of spiral vals in front of those. Middle will have driftwood with plants in the middle and roseafolia in the back. Left side will have background indica and limnophila aquatica.
2 Ech. parviflorus swords in the left midground. Crypt tropica middle right midground beside or around driftwood. Hairgrass carpet covering much of the foreground.
Sorry can't give you exact number of plants but I'm sure it will take quite a few to make the tank look nice and full!
How does this look for my 55gal? I'm an obvious newbie at this so please let me know if this will work/look good together. Thanks.
2-Micro tenellus-pigmy chain swords
2-Rotala indica
3-Red Temple
3-Cryptocoryne petchii
1-Tiger Lotus
1-Red Rubin Sword
2-wendtii red bare root small
Total is $42.63
2-Micro tenellus-pigmy chain swords
2-Rotala indica
3-Red Temple
3-Cryptocoryne petchii
1-Tiger Lotus
1-Red Rubin Sword
2-wendtii red bare root small
Total is $42.63