Planted Nano

PumaWard

PumaWard

In loving memory of Meeko
Jul 23, 2003
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Hey all, I'm setting up my 4g tank to be a planted nano. For the back round, I am using dwarf sagittara (sp), but beyond that, I don't know what I'll use for mid and foreground plants, so I am looking for suggestions. I would also like the plant species to be able to compliment each other as well as the tank occupants.

Here are the specks of the tank:

4g
12.13'' L X 7.75'' H X 10.13 W

14watt flourescent bulb about 12'' above the tank
Schultz aquatic soil, soon, DIY CO2, and fertilizing with flourish and flourish iron. Temperature is about 78F, and there is an internal sponge filter, but I'm looking for an alternative so suggestions for a new filter are also welcome.

Inhabitants are 3 dainty cories (adult size of about 3/4 inch) and 1 red male betta.

Thanks all
 
I personally like the look of Crypt wendtii the olive burgundy colored one

Cryptocoryne_wendtii.jpg


and it shouldnt get too big or anything.
 
Crypt Wendtii will get pretty good sized. I have a bronze wendtii I've had for about 3-4 months in my 55g (2.0wpg PC, CO2, light flourish fertilization) and it's about 10 inches in diameter and 4 inches high. very cool looking plant though, and pruning should take care of that growth thing ;)
 
Yeah, I have 2 red wendtii and they're too big... though you reminded me of another Crypt which stays small.
 
cryptocoryne parva is tiny.

Anubias nana or anubas nana var. petit would be perfect. Windelov may work.

You're somewhat limited because you don't have much light. The smaller the tank is, the less the wpg rule applies and the more light you need.

Lilaeopsis brasiliensis might just grow. Java moss, marsilea...

I'd probably keep it simple with just nanas and the dwarf sag, with a few pieces of driftwood or rocks poking out.
 
My dwarf sag only gets a couple inches high so it fit well in your plan as a background plant. I have seen taller pics of it on the net, which makes me wonder there are species called dwarf but are actually something else.

Also I'm wondering if you may have a problem with too much CO2 in such a small tank. Any plan for regulating the amount? I thought this was hard to do with DIY.

Leopardess made some excellent suggestions. I have a small crypt that I think is parva and it makes a great foreground plant. Dark green and brown leaves.
 
Hmm, I though it was the other way around with the WPG thing... smaller tanks don't need as much light because the light intensity is higher... I know the tank certainly looks brighter.

As for the CO2, I have had success in the past using a regular airline valve for controlling the CO2, so I'm going to try that, and use a much smaller CO2 system.

Thanks all for the suggestions :D.
 
Nope, the smaller the tank the more light you need. That is why some people (like Gomer) have had 14wpg nano tanks that are considered low light. Some of amano's large tanks use less than 2wpg.

Parva is normally very green though captain...I wonder what you have.

Puma - I might suggest Excel for your carbon source. I didn't catch the DIY CO2 part before, however, both cories and bettas (obviously) have the ability to take in atmospheric air and live in lower oxygen levels....'course you have to watch that pH. I used to use a 20 oz soda bottle setup (inefficent bubble stone reactor) on a 5g with just a betta and, of course, all was well. Not sure what the corys' threshold is though...

Dwarf sag should eventually be between 5-8" tall. Shading and other plants would obv. have an affect on the plant though.
 
Hopefully my pH won't be an issue since my kH is about 8 degrees. The sagitarra is on a little platform, so It's closest to the light.
 
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