[Bigbballer003]

I have a 66 gal hex tank it's tall about 24-30" tall Im it near the tank to measure. It has good lighting on there and will keep plants green but they don't seem to get larger just kind of stay the same size.. Any suggestions on what plants or how to get them to start growing?? Also I have gravel instead of a soil substrate...

 

[Steve001]

Do you have any books on the subject ? If not then the best advice I can give you at this time is purchase one or two.
http://www.amazon.com/Aquarium-Plan...=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327893643&sr=1-6

http://www.amazon.com/101-Best-Aqua...=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327893707&sr=1-2

 

[Tenor1]

Hi Bigbballer,

I wanted to welcome you to the world of planted tanks. A hex tank is a more difficult shape for a plant tank. One issue is the lighting needed. LED light strips might give the PAR needed in a small amount of space. The other thing is limited surface area to plant many things.

Imagine your hex laying on it's side, that's a better direction for a plant tank. Steve's advice on those books is excellent, but there is a great deal of information on the web that you can read also.

Good luck with your tank,

 

[DogFish]

Welcome! While a 30" tall hex will be more of a challenge it isn't impossible.

On you plants & lights, there a saying if the mountain won't come to Mohammid, Mohanind will go to the mountain. Consider planting in the upper 1/2 of the tank. You could use Java fern or Anubus trained on Driftwood. There are a few swords & Crypts that grow tall.

You could have fancy gold fish or do rock work below the driftwood and keep cichlids.

If ever there was a tank suited for PAR38LED bulbs it's yours. Look at the DIY link in my sig line.

Good luck, sounds like a fun challenge.

 

[Tenor1]

Dogfish, those are great suggestions.

 

[DogFish]

Tenor- Thanks I have my moments.

 

[Bigbballer003]

Ok thanks everyone I'll try and find a tall piece of driftwood. Any suggestions on sites that are reasonable price my lfs doesn't have and good plants or wood to choose from.. Also any experience with eBay plants?

 

[OVT]

I would recommend you check the Swap n Shop section of the forum for plants and other paraphernalia.

The Aquarium Plants Manual is still on my desk and have served me well over the years. At ~$9 not a bad investment.

PS: welcome to the forum (aka asylum for the insanely addicted )

 

[Tenor1]

Here's a mail order vendor in Southern California.

http://www.scapeclub.org/forum/showthread.php?t=9090

 

[Bigbballer003]

ok thanks for all the greaat help its greatly appreciated!

 

[DogFish]

Swap is really your best bet on plants. Newbies come here all the time looking for plants on the cheap. Quasi-newbies jump in complaining about $6 shipping on $15 worth od Swap plants.

Then they all figure out they Swap IS the best place to buy after they learn the hard way. Then post a follow up about how they should have listened in the 1st place. :hihi:

Those of us on Swap that occasionally sell plants are Hobbyists that take a lot pride in out plants we grow ourselves. We are in for the long haul and not selling plants for a living. Most of us put what ever $ we make right back into our own tanks from others on Swap. We understand Reputation is everything. I feel strongly if you want to be part of our community, you should support the site and the fellow members.

In a perfect world I would only trade plants.

 

[Bigbballer003]

here is my tank so you all can see it now hopefully i can get some swaps and get this thing going. again thank you all for the help and suggestions!

 

[OVT]

... jump in complaining about $6 shipping on $15 worth od Swap plants.

...Most of us put what ever $ we make right back into our own tanks from others on Swap. We understand Reputation is everything. I feel strongly if you want to be part of our community, you should support the site and the fellow members.

In a perfect world I would only trade plants.

Amen.
With the new USPS rates, I pay $6.20 to ship while still charging $6.00. So, my profit is -$0.20 on shipping. I ship enough free plants to really improve my retirement plan's balance LOL