[superserial]

Hello,

Posting a few pics of my tank in progress and hopefully I can get some recommendations as well.

Currently my tank is mainly planted with Vallisneria Nana, a few pieces of Java Fern and some Lilaeopsis novea-zealandia.
The Vallisneria is growing like crazy, but neither the Java Fern or the Lilaeopsis seem to grow at all so i'm thinking of throwing them out of the tank and replacing them with something else.

I prefereably would like some kind of carpet plant that grow well under the same conditions as the Vallisneria. I intended for the Lilaeopsis to be my carpet plant but the only thing growing is the algae on top of the Lilaeopsis.

I also have this spotty brown stuff everywhere as you can see on the bottom picture (easily spottable on the stone). It's almost like dust that you can remove really easy. Maybe if I have a better flow in my tank it will remove itself?

I have a 20watt led-bar but i'm only running it at half power due to high algae growth at maximum setting. I'm also dosing PMDD and running a CO2 system.

Feel free to shoot me some recommendations that I could try, especially carpet plants you think would work!

Vallisneria Nana (according to the seller at least)

The sad Lilaeopsis that refused to grow.

Once I get the plants I want and i'm able to grow them decently I will introduce some fish to the tank! :nerd:

 

[AquaAurora]

Micro sword aka Lilaeopsis can take nearly a month to acclimate and start taking off in a new tank. Don't give up on it! I have a lot in my husband's 12g long now, started out being a pathetic few runners worth. Its going where I don't want it too now (under stone archways to back of the tank where the stems are).
Can't say if the val is true nana, only time will tell see what width and length is in a month+ of largest vals).. kinda looks like young Italian vals to me from the photo.

 

[superserial]

The Val has been in the tank for about two and a half month. Started out as two small plants and now they are everywhere! :grin2:

I planted a lot of Lilaeopsis at the same time but I removed all of it after a while when it didn't grow. I decided to give this little plant a second chance, it's been in the tank for maybe three weeks now with no noticeable growth. :crying:
I'll give it some more time AquaAurora, thanks for the advice!

 

[superserial]

So... i'm an impatient man so I went to town and bought a bunch of new plants today. Rescaped the tank with a root and the new plant, I also removed a lot of the vallisneria.

I don't expect the dwarf hair grass to carpet at all but I wanted to try anyways because it's one of my favourite carpet plants.

Not sure how well the Microsorum pteropus 'Windeløv' will do considering my regular Java Fern wasn't that happy. I hope it will do well though as I love the look of the plant.

No clue regarding the Cryptocoryne Wendtii, i'll be very happy if it grows in my tank though!

 

[GrampsGrunge]

If you 're impatient you're probably not going to like any Java Fern.

Like Micro Swords they take a while to accommodate to the new water parameters, they also do better if the lighting is more subdued. They would probably be better left to when your tank has established some larger shaded areas. Maybe what would work best with your present lighting is the oak leaf variety of Indian Fern or Water Sprite.

Impatience is not all that great for any planted tank attempt. Sometimes the tank will take a month or three just to become balanced enough to grow plants. You are having good luck with your Val's, work to your tank's strengths.

Crypt. Wendtii is also like Java Fern and likes shaded and subdued lighting.

 

[second]

Just my 2cents worth
I would skip the carpet idea, I like your tank just the way it is in the first pic, and if your vals are happy they will send out baby vals . If you can find some C. Willisii x that would be nice, otherwise just enjoy your tank. You could also get away with less light I would think :smile2:

 

[superserial]

Thanks for your input guys!

I'm still a bit confused about where I want to go with this tank, as you might notice. Think i'll lower the lighting a bit and see if the Val still grows well. Maybe i'll add some moss too!

 

[Jamo33]

I think you're doing very well.
Like everyone has said patience is important in the planted tank hobby and you most probably need to try keep hands out of the tank more often then not
I think now your best chance of growing these plants out is seeing what happens and letting the tank take its course.
Good luck

 

[superserial]

Thank you Jamo!

Patience, learn I must.