What kind of ground cover (if any) would you put here?

Alpinist · 12-18-2009, 11:40 PM

Here is my 33 gallon somewhat low-tech planted tank. It's been set up since October. I'm undecided about something.

What I'd like your opinion on is what sort of ground cover (if any) you'd put in the channel on the left where the cardinals are in this picture. It runs the width of the tank underneath that stump-like wood. If anything goes in there I'd like it to stay short to maintain swimming space under that wooden arm.

Riccia? HC? Glosso? A moss of sorts? What do you think?

Specs:

Adding pressurized CO2 next month. Dosing Excel 3x/wk
4x55W 10000K, 6700K, about 12" above tank (will lower with arrival of CO2)
May start EI method with CO2 as well
3kH, 7.2pH
HOT Magnum w/ spray bar
40% WC wkly
12 cardinals
5 head and taillight tetras
5 harisoni pencil fish
6 otos
2 sterbai cory's
2 clown plecos
at least 4 amano shrimp
Breeding pair of kribs, with about 50 8 day-old fry

milesm · 12-19-2009, 06:15 AM

not sure what to suggest to plant there, but you might want to keep your lights at the same height above tank, even after you set up your pressurized co2. if you want to lower it, do it slowly; and don't forget you keep your ferts at non limiting levels. you've got what appears to be mainly low light plants (crypts) and low (height) tank, so you may not need more light. could probably cut 1 or 2 bulbs out and lower the fixture.

12-18-2009, 11:40 PM	#1
Alpinist Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 77	What kind of ground cover (if any) would you put here? Here is my 33 gallon somewhat low-tech planted tank. It's been set up since October. I'm undecided about something. What I'd like your opinion on is what sort of ground cover (if any) you'd put in the channel on the left where the cardinals are in this picture. It runs the width of the tank underneath that stump-like wood. If anything goes in there I'd like it to stay short to maintain swimming space under that wooden arm. Riccia? HC? Glosso? A moss of sorts? What do you think? Specs: Adding pressurized CO2 next month. Dosing Excel 3x/wk 4x55W 10000K, 6700K, about 12" above tank (will lower with arrival of CO2) May start EI method with CO2 as well 3kH, 7.2pH HOT Magnum w/ spray bar 40% WC wkly 12 cardinals 5 head and taillight tetras 5 harisoni pencil fish 6 otos 2 sterbai cory's 2 clown plecos at least 4 amano shrimp Breeding pair of kribs, with about 50 8 day-old fry __________________ The coolest fish I've owned: Silver Arowana, Silver and Gold Datnoids, Archer Fish, Anableps, Mudskipper, African Leaf Fish, True Leaf Fish, Moth Catfish, Chaca Chaca, Apistogramma agasizzi.

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12-19-2009, 06:15 AM	#2
milesm Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: HI Posts: 515	not sure what to suggest to plant there, but you might want to keep your lights at the same height above tank, even after you set up your pressurized co2. if you want to lower it, do it slowly; and don't forget you keep your ferts at non limiting levels. you've got what appears to be mainly low light plants (crypts) and low (height) tank, so you may not need more light. could probably cut 1 or 2 bulbs out and lower the fixture.