[Bosefus06]

So I want to add plants to my aquarium. I made a rock wall simulating a cliff, and I want the foreground to look like a rainforest. Since everything is scaled down, I need some specific plants. For example, I can't just throw some Java Fern in there because that would be about the size of a full grown tree when scaled down, and I don't think many trees in the rainforest look like giant Java Ferns.

I have Java Moss that I can attach to the cliff face, simulating plants growing up the cliff. I am thinking about taking a Marimo Moss Ball apart and carpeting the bottom of my tank. I have also heard of people taking pieces of driftwood that resemble full grown trees and adding Java Moss to simulate the leaves in the tree.

I will probably end up having low to medium light in the tank, set at 78 degrees. I don't know much about fertilizer, and CO2 is too expensive. Ideally, I would like to use low maintenance plants. However, I will take any suggestions. If they sound really neat, I might give in and add ferts or CO2.

One last thing. Like I said, I really want to have miniature trees. I know I could use driftwood, but that's pretty tough. I can't imagine I would find many pieces that resemble miniature trees. So if you have any other ideas how to go about that, I would really appreciate it. Thanks a bunch.

 

[shiloh]

There aren't really any submerged plants that look like trees...the driftwood is really the only option there. The Marimo ball is not really well suited to form a carpet, it will probably not stay put. The majority of carpeting plants that you see in this forum are light/co2 intensive. One option if you're looking for that forest-floor kind of look is to use moss grown on craft mesh.

Anubias nana can grow in relatively low light and stays pretty small if you want to check that out.

 

[dreamt_01]

i started off with almost the same concept but eventually drifter to a different one..

you can always do a DIY co2 reactor if you wanna save..

if you want to have a carpet look, why not try "glossostigma elatinoides".. the process of planting is a little bit a pain, but it's worth the try.. or if not, try "riccia fluitans" and tie it to a flat stone/rock..

for the miniature trees? attaching moss or even riccia's to a thin driftwood or twigs should do the trick..

good luck..