I'm just not happy with this tank ~ ideas?

[dreamwallaby]

I have this 44 gallon pentagon tank. The top has an island for 2 firebelly toads and a firebelly newt. They were the first inhabitants and have to stay. The tank is in my kid's bedroom so I don't want to mess with CO2. I'm just not happy with the design, layout plants etc...
I had dwarf sag that I had hoped would fill in the front, but no luck.
The oto cats are eating the sword plants, specifically the baby ones so that can't spread. I planted water wisteria but it keeps coming out of the gravel.
Water params ~ 7.6pH, 0 ammonia, nitrite and only 5 nitrates. I can't get the nitrates higher at all. I dose excel flourish and comprehensive. I have root tabs.
Lighting is a t8 bulb, a marine dual bright LED and a marineland submersible LED was just added.

[shrimpo]

Start with a good substrate that your plants can spread their roots in it, the tank looks good though.
What do you feed your Fire Bellied Toads?

[dreamwallaby]

Thank you. The toads eat crickets. What shrimp substrate would be best in a light color?

[shrimpo]

Originally Posted by dreamwallaby

Thank you. The toads eat crickets. What shrimp substrate would be best in a light color?

What kind of shrimp are you planing to keep? The substrate will affect the PH and some shrimp will need certain PH range in order to thrive.
This sticky has information about substrate and shrimp keeping in general. http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...d.php?t=176557

[dreamwallaby]

I just have red cherry shrimp in this tank, but 2 CPO will arrive next week.

[Dtitus1]

I personally think that looks pretty good, I kinda wanna build an island for a newt now.

[sarahspins]

Originally Posted by Dtitus1

I personally think that looks pretty good, I kinda wanna build an island for a newt now.

I agree.. the more of these I see the more I want to set up some kind of riparium

[chew]

IME if you float the wisteria for a couple weeks they start shooting out roots on the bottom and are easier to plant. Tank looks good though

[J.mccollum]

heck of a tank for a kids room. I would of loved this as a kid.

[Dx3Bash]

Eco-complete substrate so you dont need to worry about ammonia spike, and maybe add some low light plants like java fern and jungle val or hornwort. Overalll very cool tank.

Lucky kid you have.

[dreamwallaby]

Thanks guys my favorite part about it being in the kid's room is at night I switch it to blue lights and its the best night light ever. I just hope I can get these plants growing. Nothing has died except the dwarf sag, whih I replaced with micro sword. I will let the wisteria get some roots and then try planting it.