First pics of my tank

seastar0328 · 07-24-2006, 09:05 PM

Started in April....battled algae, battled leggy plants....now I think I've got it thanks to this site and you guys! Let me know what you think, I am looking for a good foreground cover. What do you think? What would you suggest? Thank you all for all your help! I'm finally proud enough to share these pics.

from the right:

from the left:

another front shot:

JenThePlantGeek · 07-24-2006, 09:13 PM

I'm SURE people will speak up and say "HC, glosso, Elantine trianda, Marsilea, HM, dwarf hairgrass etc..." but I'll give you a different suggestion which is a bit "weird" right off the bat:

Why not try Hygrophila difformis? Now I know what you're saying, it gets big! Well, stay with me on this one... I recently saw 3 or 4 tanks setup with a wisteria foreground. The owner has pretty high light and just keeps them clipped down. When they start growing too tall he just pinches and replants. Any leaves that fall off can be replanted to make new plantlets too. I don't know about you, but I can't seem to keep my hands out of my tanks. If you're in there a lot you should consider this as a foreground! I was so surprised with how neat this plant looks in the foreground, and I bet it would provide a really great color and texture contrast with your Anubias centerpiece!

seastar0328 · 07-24-2006, 09:21 PM

I was thinking about using the sunset hygro as a foreground. I was looking at the aga contest pics and they flamed an entry for using it because it got so big but the plantlets pop of so easily and they seem to grow roots out of the stalk I thought this would be a prettier way to use this plant and keep the pink tones going. I knew what the entry was doing because I thought of it myself. I've even seen people use ludwiga repens as a foreground. You're right, I cannot stay out of my tanks either. This one is so tall. A hex was not a good idea. I was thinking of my angels and not of planting ease. I like your idea though and I will probably try it out. If it doesn't work, I have other tanks that would benefit from mistakes. I never bought plants for my other tanks, they are all my collectoritis plants or plants that didn't do well in my tank or that I didn't like. Thanks for the idea!

JenThePlantGeek · 07-24-2006, 09:38 PM

I bet sunset hygro would look great too! It's always fun to be a little different and try out stuff like that. I'd say whatever hygro you use it'll look awesome! And there's nothing that says you can't replace it with a more traditional foreground if it becomes out of hand or you decide you don't like it. My tanks change week to week it seems

mrbelvedere · 07-25-2006, 03:25 AM

I've seen this tank personally, and I like it quite a bit.

I also would like to believe that I had a small part in creating it

You said that you have access to M. quadrifolia, so why not just use a huge patch of "sod" and plant the whole thing?

seastar0328 · 07-25-2006, 09:57 AM

yes, mrbelvedere had a HUGE part in helping create it. Without him I'd still be bumbling around trying to create a tank I could be proud of. Sorry I forgot you in the credits!

This guy knows his stuff and I would definitely reccommend his advice to anyone! He actually came over to my apartment on a few occasions, accompanied me to the lfs for supplies, and takes my phone calls with questions. He also brought me plants from his own tanks to help me out. A definite asset to the planted tank!

"Thank you" just doesn't cover it enough!

07-24-2006, 09:05 PM	#1
seastar0328 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: IL Posts: 284	First pics of my tank Started in April....battled algae, battled leggy plants....now I think I've got it thanks to this site and you guys! Let me know what you think, I am looking for a good foreground cover. What do you think? What would you suggest? Thank you all for all your help! I'm finally proud enough to share these pics. from the right: from the left: another front shot:

07-24-2006, 09:13 PM	#2
JenThePlantGeek Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (36/100%) Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 3,143	I'm SURE people will speak up and say "HC, glosso, Elantine trianda, Marsilea, HM, dwarf hairgrass etc..." but I'll give you a different suggestion which is a bit "weird" right off the bat: Why not try Hygrophila difformis? Now I know what you're saying, it gets big! Well, stay with me on this one... I recently saw 3 or 4 tanks setup with a wisteria foreground. The owner has pretty high light and just keeps them clipped down. When they start growing too tall he just pinches and replants. Any leaves that fall off can be replanted to make new plantlets too. I don't know about you, but I can't seem to keep my hands out of my tanks. If you're in there a lot you should consider this as a foreground! I was so surprised with how neat this plant looks in the foreground, and I bet it would provide a really great color and texture contrast with your Anubias centerpiece! __________________ Circle City Aquarium Club (Indianapolis) - VP & Horticulture Awards Program Chair I <3 Eheim #195 Everyone seems normal... until you get to know them.

07-24-2006, 09:38 PM	#4
JenThePlantGeek Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (36/100%) Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 3,143	I bet sunset hygro would look great too! It's always fun to be a little different and try out stuff like that. I'd say whatever hygro you use it'll look awesome! And there's nothing that says you can't replace it with a more traditional foreground if it becomes out of hand or you decide you don't like it. My tanks change week to week it seems __________________ Circle City Aquarium Club (Indianapolis) - VP & Horticulture Awards Program Chair I <3 Eheim #195 Everyone seems normal... until you get to know them.

07-25-2006, 03:25 AM	#5
mrbelvedere Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (51/100%) Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Saint Joseph, Illinois Posts: 2,783	I've seen this tank personally, and I like it quite a bit. I also would like to believe that I had a small part in creating it You said that you have access to M. quadrifolia, so why not just use a huge patch of "sod" and plant the whole thing? __________________ In college....so no aquariums for a while.....

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07-24-2006, 09:21 PM	#3
seastar0328 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: IL Posts: 284	I was thinking about using the sunset hygro as a foreground. I was looking at the aga contest pics and they flamed an entry for using it because it got so big but the plantlets pop of so easily and they seem to grow roots out of the stalk I thought this would be a prettier way to use this plant and keep the pink tones going. I knew what the entry was doing because I thought of it myself. I've even seen people use ludwiga repens as a foreground. You're right, I cannot stay out of my tanks either. This one is so tall. A hex was not a good idea. I was thinking of my angels and not of planting ease. I like your idea though and I will probably try it out. If it doesn't work, I have other tanks that would benefit from mistakes. I never bought plants for my other tanks, they are all my collectoritis plants or plants that didn't do well in my tank or that I didn't like. Thanks for the idea!

07-25-2006, 09:57 AM	#6
seastar0328 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: IL Posts: 284	yes, mrbelvedere had a HUGE part in helping create it. Without him I'd still be bumbling around trying to create a tank I could be proud of. Sorry I forgot you in the credits! This guy knows his stuff and I would definitely reccommend his advice to anyone! He actually came over to my apartment on a few occasions, accompanied me to the lfs for supplies, and takes my phone calls with questions. He also brought me plants from his own tanks to help me out. A definite asset to the planted tank! "Thank you" just doesn't cover it enough!