[Blackheart]

So I set up my 56 gallon column aquarium today... going for a fishless cycle.

I feel like I need help here... because this is in reality my first full planted tank, and I feel like I did a very very lousy job lol. Could anybody give me suggestions on how to arrange and what plants might look good in here? I'm going for beginner/lowlight/easy plants.

I have the lame fake driftwood from petsmart, I know lol. I might change that sooner or later with a real piece and attach that anubias along with some other plants

 

[jimmytruong87]

56 gallon, it is very larger, so you must buy more plants. You can try to put stem plants( back ground), small plants ( in the front) . You also need take out fake driftwood, get good driftwood (tie java on it).
good luck

 

[Diana]

Good, so far. You have groupings of each species, not all mish-mashed together.
I agree, larger/taller plants in the back, taller Vals, or one of the stems like Cabomba that will grow tall. You can keep snipping off the top and replanting those to keep the bunch full.

 

[GMYukonon24s]

I agree with the others about having taller plants in back. I think like Diana said Vals would be nice in there. From the picture I don't mind the fake driftwood. I would rip off the fake plants though and get some moss and tie it down to the driftwood with fishing line.

 

[CoffeeLove]

I thought your driftwood was real until I read it wasn't lol

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Seattle_Aquarist]

Hi Blackheart,

Don't be too critical about the layout just yet; give it a few weeks to fill in and get established. As for the 'fake' driftwood, if you attach some java ferns, Bolbitis, or Anubias to it you won't even see it in a few months!

For now just work on adjusting you light and ferts and relax!

FYI, attaching a black plastic background to the back of the tank would help the asthetics by hiding the wall, wires, etc.

 

[Blackheart]

thanks for the help and suggestions so far guys! And I would kinda like to put some vals in there in the back, and maybe a few more crypts in the front. I don't really like that wisteria in there. And that's true that you can tie plants to fake driftwood?

 

[Seattle_Aquarist]

thanks for the help and suggestions so far guys! And I would kinda like to put some vals in there in the back, and maybe a few more crypts in the front. I don't really like that wisteria in there. And that's true that you can tie plants to fake driftwood?

Hi Blackheart,

Absolutely! Those roots will grab anything; even most plastics and ceramics.

 

[Blackheart]

That's actually pretty awesome because I HATE dealing with real driftwood. If I trim the roots a bit on the Anubias, it won't hurt it, right?

 

[Seattle_Aquarist]

That's actually pretty awesome because I HATE dealing with real driftwood. If I trim the roots a bit on the Anubias, it won't hurt it, right?

Hi Blackheart,

Occasionally I will do a little root pruning or thinning on Anubias and java ferns; the key word is 'little'. I never remove more than 20% of the total root mass. I remove a comparable amount of foliage (older, damaged, tangled leaves) when I do a root trim.

 

[Blackheart]

thanks! I actually decided I might remove the fake driftwood, because I found this nice little Mopani piece which was exactly what I was picturing:

I might attach the Anubias to this and let it fill in, and place it somewhere off to the left side by the center. Instead of using driftwood as a centerpiece.

I also got a whole bunch of more Crypts today and amazon swords. I figured if I tried this with the Mopani wood I'd have a lot more room for plants.

 

[Blackheart]

Not to bump this thread or anything.... but I replanted the tank today. and I wanted to know what you guys thought? I planted a whole bunch of more amazon swords in the back, some more crypts in the front, and I might go for a taller plant in the right corner there. and I may or may not leave that driftwood in there.

suggestions?

 

[dmifflin]

id put a background on that tank asap if sunlight hits it you will have algae pronto