New to the hobby, advice please!

[Shauncho]

Hey guys! I am new to aquascaping and planted tanks. I have had this current setup for a few weeks now and I wanted to ask some advice. Right now, I have my taller plants on the right side with my hardscaping. Currently in the back, behind the driftwood, I have telanthera and some hornwort.

I just picked up a potted giant hairgrass plant and I am not sure where I should place it in this tank. I had thought about placing it off to the left of the tank, but I am not sure.

Any advice would be appreciated!

Below is my information and a current picture.

Tank - 20 Gallon
Lighting - Current USA T5HO 2x24watt
Filter - Fluval 205
CO2 - DIY C02 System
Substrate - 40lbs EcoComplete Black
Ferts - Seachem Flourish
Hardscape - Driftwood and River Rock
Plants - Dwarf Baby Tears, Telanthera, Java Fern, Riccia, Microsword, Cryptocoryne parva, Anubias barteri, Myriophyllum propinquum, Hornwort, Narrow Leaf Chain Sword, Rotala rotundifolia
Fish/inverts - 7 neon tetras, 4 green neon tetras, 1 spotted Cory Catfish, 12 Cherry Shrimp

[!shadow!]

nice healthy plants and that riccia on the rock is going to look nice once it grows a bit more. l think if you placed your long stems in the back it would be better aesthetically so that way they don't obstruct the view on the tank. Other than that keep up the good work.

[Lngtall1]

I would probably use the hairgrass to cover the filter that is hanging down

[Green024]

Welcome to TPT forum!

I noticed you said you are using a 2x24w T5HO. I also have this same fixture on my 20 gallon(with pressurized C02), and algae was a huge issue with both bulbs in the fixture when sitting atop the rim on the tank like yours is.
I suggest removing one of the bulbs, and saving it for later use. If not, you will most likely run into the same algae issues I have run into. Trust me, it can get ugly =]

This thread will let you know what level light you have in your tank.

[Cottagewitch]

I think you're off to a great start! I would suggest some sort of backing to hide the cords and such. Vinyl from a sign shop would work well or roll on some acrylic paint.

[barbarossa4122]

You also need to dose macros (N, P, K). Flourish is a micro nutrient........you need both macros and micros.

[Shauncho]

Thanks so much for all of the responses guys!

I definitely will work on these suggestions. I am running out to the LFS today so I will try to pick up some macro nutrients for my tank. I had thrown around the idea of removing the hornwort plant from behind my driftwood on the right side, but my cherry shrimp are always on it and they seem to enjoy it. What do you guys think?

I will probably place the giant hairgrass near the back left to cover the filter as suggested. I might move the crypts forward and the chain sword forward since the hairgrass is much taller.

When I first set this up, I split up the telanthera and placed it in a couple places around the driftwood, do you guys think that it is ok this way, or should I group it all together? Also the frilly plant up front seems to have taken off growth wise, and I know it has gotten taller... should it be moved somewhere in the back? I picked up two more pots of dwarf baby tears to help get the "carpet" going

I am attaching a photo to show the potted giant hairgrass and dwarf baby tears plant, sitting temporarily in my tank for now.

Thanks again! Look forward to hearing from you guys!

[barbarossa4122]

You can get dry ferts from GLA or liquid ferts from RootMedic.

[Shauncho]

Hey guys! I bought a few more plants and as per the advice given, I moved my larger plants to the back and put some smaller ones up front. I also put the giant hairgrass off to the left. I still need to plant the new dwarf baby tears, but I will do that tomorrow.

Let me know if this looks better!

[Ben Belton]

Hey, looks completely different. I think you're headed in the right direction. Keep it trimmed neat and let it grow in some, and it will look nice.

[!shadow!]

much better. l think that if you put some giant hairgrass on the right side and over some time you'll have the shape of an upside down U, sort of like jason baliban's scape.