Some of my Planted Ripariums

[hydrophyte]

I got a few more quick pictures from my 50-gallon setup today. The plants are all looking happy enough. I think that the Cyrtosperma johnstonii and Pilea cardierei look good together.

I am setting up for some full-tank shots. Here is a view from the side.

As I was formatting that shot I noticed a nice area of detail in the center of the frame.

 

[hydrophyte]

I can't stop taking pictures of the plants there in the 50-gallon tank. Here's another view.

 

[mellowvision]

really nice as usual

 

[hydrophyte]

Hey thanks. And congratulations for that TOTM. That is a pretty cool project I remember seeing the beginning of your journal thread for that one.

Here is more detail cropped from that picture above.

 

[mellowvision]

Thanks man. I'm starting to think about phase three of that TOTM tank, I might lower the waterlevel by about 6-8 inches, and get some batik or carnival crabs. I was never sure while building it if I'd keep it a full aquarium or go the paludarium route. I'd like to see how the java ferns handle a transition like that. Might need a mister.

The red in those Cyrtosperma johnstonii is really nice.

I thought I'd mention, I've got an aerogarden running in the kitchen, and have been really into the way the Purple Basil that comes in the standard herb kit looks. It's a substantial plant, and needs constant trimming, so I stuck one of the tops in the planter you sent me, and after about a week, it's standing on it's own, rooting, and showing a big change in leaf coloration, going from having solid purple leaves to greener leaves with the purple in the veins. It might be a nice addition to a riparium, adding color and a nice basil scent.

 

[hydrophyte]

I have another fun new update from the 50-gallon setup. I got a surprise a few mornings ago. Look for the little lavender spot in this picture.

The Limnophila aromatica had a single bloom on it. The delicate little flower goes really well with this plant's fine foliage.

It has been several days now and the flower is still open and fresh. Here is a cozier macro shot.

Here is one last view. Those emersed stems have grown in well and are more full thatn they were just a week ago.

 

[hydrophyte]

I was getting pictures of this tank again today. I have a bunch of files to process, but here's a quick one while I start organizing them. This is another nice side view.

I like the look of the tank from this angle. The Limnophila and Bacopa/I] have grown in so densely that they have covered up the rafts and planter cups really well.

I am going to tear down this layout and replant sometime soon...maybe tonight. I am going to use most of the plants for more propagation, but I might also try to sell a combination package with divisions and cuttings in the Marketplace.

 

[hydrophyte]

I also got a close-up of the newest leaf on the Cyrtosperma johnstonii, which is really stunning.

That gold and pink coloration around the leaf tip is new. The older leaves just had the green leaf color with red veins.

 

[hydrophyte]

I tore down the layout in the 50-gallon. I tried to get as many pictures as I could before taking it apart. The plants were pretty much at their peak.

I have some more shots on the way I just to format them and load 'em up.

 

[hydrophyte]

I am still processing these latest and last pictures of this layout. There are many of them. Here is another.