I wanted to post a message for the people who might be thinking of trying live plants, but they just aren't sure. It is possible. Also, for those with new tanks full of algae, there is hope.
It's been nearly a year since I began keeping more than a Java Fern in my 75 gallon aquarium. The algae problems are long gone, and I get to enjoy looking at the tank. Or, do I? The best description of my aquarium in it's current form is chaotic.
For example, the Java Fern on the right end of the tank has claimed the entire depth of the tank. What used to be a couple runs of fern is now more like 30+ of varying sizes. I've decided to see what I think of it on the large piece of driftwood. For some reason, I can't even think of throwing away a Java Fern. It's kind of weird. I've thrown out bags of other plants.
My hygro polysperma used to grow in a dense forest from bottom to top on the left end. It got so dense that I had to start thinning it out. It had started to cover about a third of the tank! What's left of it has since been spread about the tank by an unruly house guest. (I recently used the tank to grow out a Green Texas for my 125, oops!)
I have three Red Melon swords hiding in the back that have barely grown because somebody is munching on them plus they don't get as much light as they should . At this point, I think I'd even prefer them to be food more than to see them grow too large.
The ludwigia repens is growing nicely compared to the early days when I had to throw away most of it due to algae.
Here are a couple pics. One from the "old days", and one from today. I can't back away from the tank far enough to get it all in one shot, so the one from today is a rough macro. Hence, the vertical line in the picture.
MARCH 2004 - The algae days
If you look closely, you can see the black algae that claimed a good portion of the plants in the picture.
TODAY
Tank Specs:
75 gallon tank
110 watts CF lights
80 watts NO flourescent
No CO2
1 - Filstar xp3
1 - Emperor 280
Gravel mixed with Flourite
Things I've learned this year:
1. CF lights produce a lot of heat! My CF strip is positioned at the back of the tank. The portion of the glass top underneath the light on one side actually dropped into the aquarium. Since that mishap, I've bolted my two light strips together and suspended them about 2" above the tank.
2. I'm glad I didn't go with CO2. I like the fact that I don't have to fertilize all the time.
3. I too can grow a jungle in my low-tech aquarium.
4. I may not have the imagination or eye for a truly astounding layout, but my plants are healthy. I'm happy.
5. My fish are happy too. The great thing I've found about planted tanks is that they make great playgrounds for the fish. Plus, my Diamond Tetras and Bushy Nose Plecos are having babies! The truly amazing thing is that the Tetra babies actually survived with the Angels and the Green Texas (He's moved now).
Sorry so long winded...
It's been nearly a year since I began keeping more than a Java Fern in my 75 gallon aquarium. The algae problems are long gone, and I get to enjoy looking at the tank. Or, do I? The best description of my aquarium in it's current form is chaotic.
For example, the Java Fern on the right end of the tank has claimed the entire depth of the tank. What used to be a couple runs of fern is now more like 30+ of varying sizes. I've decided to see what I think of it on the large piece of driftwood. For some reason, I can't even think of throwing away a Java Fern. It's kind of weird. I've thrown out bags of other plants.
My hygro polysperma used to grow in a dense forest from bottom to top on the left end. It got so dense that I had to start thinning it out. It had started to cover about a third of the tank! What's left of it has since been spread about the tank by an unruly house guest. (I recently used the tank to grow out a Green Texas for my 125, oops!)
I have three Red Melon swords hiding in the back that have barely grown because somebody is munching on them plus they don't get as much light as they should . At this point, I think I'd even prefer them to be food more than to see them grow too large.
The ludwigia repens is growing nicely compared to the early days when I had to throw away most of it due to algae.
Here are a couple pics. One from the "old days", and one from today. I can't back away from the tank far enough to get it all in one shot, so the one from today is a rough macro. Hence, the vertical line in the picture.
MARCH 2004 - The algae days
If you look closely, you can see the black algae that claimed a good portion of the plants in the picture.
TODAY
Tank Specs:
75 gallon tank
110 watts CF lights
80 watts NO flourescent
No CO2
1 - Filstar xp3
1 - Emperor 280
Gravel mixed with Flourite
Things I've learned this year:
1. CF lights produce a lot of heat! My CF strip is positioned at the back of the tank. The portion of the glass top underneath the light on one side actually dropped into the aquarium. Since that mishap, I've bolted my two light strips together and suspended them about 2" above the tank.
2. I'm glad I didn't go with CO2. I like the fact that I don't have to fertilize all the time.
3. I too can grow a jungle in my low-tech aquarium.
4. I may not have the imagination or eye for a truly astounding layout, but my plants are healthy. I'm happy.
5. My fish are happy too. The great thing I've found about planted tanks is that they make great playgrounds for the fish. Plus, my Diamond Tetras and Bushy Nose Plecos are having babies! The truly amazing thing is that the Tetra babies actually survived with the Angels and the Green Texas (He's moved now).
Sorry so long winded...
