Give me some feedback on my plants PICS (58K warning)

[snakester1]

Looking for feedback on my planted tank here (still cycling so no fish yet)

[snakester1]

[Li@m]

Looks Good, i like the background.

>The plant 2nd from the left is called Java fern and CANNOT grow in the substrate, it needs to be tied on to a rock or a piece of driftwood. You do this by using cotton thread, nylon fishing line or snap ties.

[nalu86]

hang that heater on the back.
make your tank more natural, those rocks look hand layed. don't do so much trouble and thinking.

[plecostomouse]

i really like the back ground, try using hardscape materials that are the same, like rocks which are all grey and have the same texture, wood that comes from the same type of tree and so on

[tetra73]

How big is the tank? You need more plants. Maybe some drift woods to map out the shape of the layout. Right now, is like everything is flat. The stones don't do it for me. Very unnatural. Those cabombas will grow like weeds. The Amazon sword will over take your tank, which is fine if you have it in the corner. Are those micro-swords or dwarf grass? You are supposed to cut them into chumps. Maybe 5 to 8 strands of grass and to spread them out on the substrate. The idea is that they will carpet your entire substrate given with the right condition (CO2, nutrients, and lighting).

[snakester1]

Thanks for the replies!

The heater will not be staying where it is. In fact it's there because I'm frustrated trying to get it to stay anywhere else .. I can tuck it behind the cabomba but I worry it'll be too hot for the plant if the fronds are touching it? That little suction cup does not stick to the glass for more than a minute or two!

The Tank is 29 gallon, I have a small piece of driftwood soaking cuz I know that Java Fern doesn't do well in the substrate. However I couldn't seem to tie it to any rocks. but the driftwood I got should be easier once it will no longer float. I had tried fishing line but seriously I almost went nuts trying to do that to a rock. A couple of those leaves are just lone leaves and a couple are two leafers. The rhizome will be exposed soon though is my plan.

The Rocks are all hand layed . And they are all from the Ouachita River (Arkansas) where me and my kids picked them up a few weekends ago. I was hoping the grass would fill in around them.

The Grassy plant: Is Brazilian Micro Sword. I split each bunch in two and kind of lined it out in front of a rock. But I see what your saying now, I do want it to spread out like a lawn so maybe next I'll break it off into small pieces and re-plant. I wasn't planning on Co2. But I have Excel and was going to pick up some substrate ferts this week.