Suggest some plants for me!

FreshwaterQueen

FreshwaterQueen

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Apr 15, 2012
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I have about a 35 gallon tall tank, and it has 1 male betta, 6 platys, 4 guppies, 4 mollies (soon to be moved), 3 ghost shrimp, and a Pleco. I want to do a planted tank next month and I needed some suggestions for plants that grow HIGH. I want the tank to have a more natural look. I'm already looking into drift wood and would love to start with plants. also here are a few questions i have:

1. will the live bearers I have do okay if i used sand in the bottom instead of rocks?
2. what suggestions of places to buy driftwood and plants?
3. Will the plants be okay if I have the algae eater? I dont want too much algae in the tank, but I plan to have more than 3 plants.
4. what other suggestions would you have for me?
 
Vals will grow nice and tall for you. First one that comes to mind. I haven't done plants for long so I will let others help you with that
Your guppies will be fine with a sand substrate.
What kind of pleco do you have? If its a common one it will very quickly outgrow your tank and they do little to nothing for algae control. A common pleco
Ay not eat your plants but will uproot them IME If you want something to help with algae little oto cats do great as well as nerite snails. That type of snail can't reproduce in fresh water and won't harm plants. They do wonderful as part of a clean up crew.

Driftwood can be purchased just about anywhere. Your big chain fish stores are not a good place to purchase plants. Most of what they sell are mis-labeled and not true aquatic plants. A good place to look for plants is in the vendor section of the forum and look in the market place forum for other members selling plants. It's a good way to get started and those who sell can tell you a lot more about the plants than anyone else since they grow them theirselves.


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FreshwaterQueen said:
I have about a 35 gallon tall tank, and it has 1 male betta, 6 platys, 4 guppies, 4 mollies (soon to be moved), 3 ghost shrimp, and a Pleco. I want to do a planted tank next month and I needed some suggestions for plants that grow HIGH. I want the tank to have a more natural look. I'm already looking into drift wood and would love to start with plants. also here are a few questions i have:

1. will the live bearers I have do okay if i used sand in the bottom instead of rocks?
2. what suggestions of places to buy driftwood and plants?
3. Will the plants be okay if I have the algae eater? I dont want too much algae in the tank, but I plan to have more than 3 plants.
4. what other suggestions would you have for me?
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1. Yes they will do better if not fine in a sand tank.
2. Don't buy driftwood from pet stores. They overcharge! If you have one go to a local taxadermist (sounds crazy) and look and ask if you can buy driftwood from them. I have a taxedermist friend and I get driftwood for free :D
3. Yes the plants should be fine with algae eaters. I have two plecostomus in a planted tank and my plants are doing great!
4. Suggestions-
Plants- anachris, camomba, amazon swords, java fern
I have anachris and camomba both well over 30" right now so you can consider those "tall plants" lol but they grow daily another inch or two! No joke its crazy!
Stock- stock sounds good other than the plecostomus as they readily grow over 2' and that tank he would outgrow easily. Look into bristlenose plecostomus they stay like 4"-6" and are cool looking!
Deco- look for driftwood at any local place you can think that sells driftwood like taxedermists, outdoor stores, some hardware stores, marketplace on here and MFK. Just look around and you will more than likely find the perfect piece! Just get a relative size you want and look around that range.
Substrate- if your getting sand pick up pool filter sand and not play sand! Play sand mixes up and can leave a tint to your water. Pool filter sand is way better and looks nicer. Find pool filter sand at your local pool supply store for around $4 for a 50 lb bag! Good Luck!

-Andrew
 
Thank you both of you. I noticed you both mentioned the pleco. Yeah i have seen how big the common get. He is a BABY though. nearly only 3 inches long. I plan on getting a 50 gallon tank this summer and will move him there! I am thankful you both took interest and thanks for the advice. I am fairly new to this hobby.
 
FreshwaterQueen said:
just wondering.... why would a taxidermist have driftwood?
Click to expand...

They use it as a mount for the stuffed critter. To make it look like its in a natural environment. Well.... As natural as a dead stuffed critter can get :D

If you have a petsmart near you they have some nice mopani driftwood at a decent price. Look in the reptile section to find it.


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gotcha. I guess I just think of taxidermist just stuffing the animal like for people, not like making a scenery or anything. but thanks for the idea!! im stoked ab out starting the tank
 
Crypt crispatula/balansae can grow to 2 ft in height, I believe. Nymphaea (sp?) lilies can get very full and leafy and then suddenly send up long shoots that open into lily pads at the surface of the water. They can also bloom above the water, as do many crypts, which is nice if you have a can keep the water level a bit low in the tank to enjoy the show. Hope this helps.
 
thanks so much. I am also looking for a plant that can grow tall but can be clipped to prevent over growth; without killing it?
 
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