Plant suggestions Please

daveedka

daveedka

Purple is the color of Royalty
Jan 30, 2004
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Columbus, ohio
Hello,
I am getting ready to set up a 115 tank 48x18x31, Fish will be: Oscar, Firemouth and Jack Dempsey (Probably Blue Dempsey) Probably Pictus cat and some type of Pleco, but undecided on the Plec and the cat. I will be installing a OERFUG (RTR's design), and at least one large HOB(Probably emporer 400) or I may try a canister.
This tank will have extensive Rockwork and Driftwood. Obviously My options for plants are extremely limited, however I really want to have some live plants in this tank. Thus far my research has led me to the conclusion of Java fern, Java moss, and anubias. As these can be attached to the driftwood and Rocks, and all will be somewhat resitant to the cichlids. Are there any other options, any major reason why I shouldn't try these plants. Anything I try will most likely need to be something that grows on Driftwood and Rocks, I know plants can be planted above a UGF but I don't think I should try it at my experience level
My plan is to set the tank up, place the plants, and give them ample time to get a good start At least one full month, more if it looks like they need it. the fish will be very small when added ( I usually start with 3/4"Oscars if I can find them that small), which I hope will also give the plants the edge in the beggining. Any suggestions, Ideas etc will be appreciated.
 
Bolbitis is another plant that grow on wood and probably be able to take your low light.

Is your tank 31" tall??? If it is wow! Make sure you have decent lighting because it will have to penetrate the depth of the water, although those are very low light plants you have mentioned and you can put them higher up too.

Crypts could probably handle the extreme low light too, but not sure if they can handle the fish and undergravel filter so they may be out of the question.
 
Thanks Captain Hook, I haven't made the final decision on lighting yet, might build my own hood and install 4 or 6 standard 48" Florescents, I have also drooled over the AH supply kits, but I have hit the budget pretty hard already. Just can't decide. I do love the deep tanks though. I plan to buy some tall driftwood, and hoped to start the moss low nd have it grow up the wood. Thje others I'll have to see what works. I have also considered side lighting of some kind but I'm not sure how that will work. Either way I plan to keep the plant load fairly light by normal standards, There will be some extensive shelves and caves made from Slate and rocks. I may place some driftwood on top of these and plant there as well. I have also thought of building a shelf that would hold substrate and trying something there, but I think I better quit thinking and get some experience with plants first.
 
Funny you mention making rock caves cause I just finished mine! If you want to see what it looks like see this link:

http://www.plantgeek.net/article_viewer.php?id=6

I copied their design and even made a little container on top for gravel & plants like theirs. You could do a large version of that will lots of gravel on top and I think it would look amazing!

You have a lot of depth so the more light the better really. 4 48" shop lights would give you plenty for sure. However you may have alot of algae problems because there won't be any fast growing plants to absorb excess nutrients. Some floating plants would probably be a good idea to help with this and if you can get some stem plants in that would be very helpful to prevent algae.

Plants like java fern, anubias, crypts, and bolbitis are very slow growing.
 
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