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Stuck in a rut with my 46 bowfront. Need some ideas.

1823 Views 13 Replies 9 Participants Last post by  The Plantman, 
J
Set this tank up a year ago. Substrate is dirt capped with sand and safe t sorb. The driftwood was completely covered with Java Fern and I recently pulled a bunch off to open it up again. I've got narrow leaf Ludwigia in the back left corner that I planted a few weeks back. On the rear right corner and along the back of the tank I've got Crypt Spiralis that's growing great. I've also got dwarf sag in the front left , some misc crypts, and big amazon sword with two baby swords next to it. Everything is growing good, but I'm just kind of at standstill as what to do to improve the scape. My lighting is an Aquatic Life T5HO fixture with two 39w bulbs. I dose half a capful of Excel everyday, and NPK once a week. Open to any ideas, thanks!
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C
add more plants?
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J
cowmilkcandy said:
add more plants?
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yeah but what? I was thinking maybe some stargrass in the midground somewhere, but other than that I'm not sure what to add. I feel like the tank is very monotone with the same green. The ludwigia was reddish but the newer growth is more green, maybe thats just a lighting thing, as I have clay mixed in with the dirt so it should be getting plenty of iron.
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S
How about some vals on the LH side to take advantage of the tank height?
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J
Steve002 said:
How about some vals on the LH side to take advantage of the tank height?
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Yeah that's where my ludwigia is. I'm hoping it will fill that side in eventually in height. I have a some more smaller crypt spiralis behind the driftwood that is just starting to take off and gain some height as well. I think I'm just being too impatient:icon_mrgr
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Raymond S.
That Ludwigia should have some red on it when it gets closer to the light.
I find Alternathera reineckii easier to grow than Ludwigia but my Ludwigia had an OD of iron so it may be taking it's time coming back from that. The leaves from where it was grown show some red but those which got there in the shop where I bought it and the ones grown in my tank are green. But it has yet to grow well as there was too much iron in the sub when I planted it. Changed the sub but it's lagging in new growth that looks anything like good growth. The other AR plant was put in after the sub change and is doing well. You might look that up to see if you might like one or two of them.
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J
Just googled Alternathera reineckii. What an awesome looking plant! My search begins for some! Thanks!
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poormanisme
jhays79 said:
Just googled Alternathera reineckii. What an awesome looking plant! My search begins for some! Thanks!
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a

I found mine at petsmart. They were small tissue cultured in some agar gel. Once they get going they are weeds. Also, you can usually find some in the sale section here.
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Aplomado
Put a black background on it.

I'd add some red plants! Like a ludwigia species.

Some Cryptocoryne wendtii Bronze would be great up front!
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K
My Vals don't really like Excel. They melt away. But I agree you do need some more height there.
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Carrie.a.gordon
vals

My Vals don't mind excel for some reason. I have extras if you will pay shipping.
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K
Thanks for the offer. I already found some other tall plants for my tank that don't mind excel.
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J
poormanisme said:
a

I found mine at petsmart. They were small tissue cultured in some agar gel. Once they get going they are weeds. Also, you can usually find some in the sale section here.
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Sweet, thanks for the info!

Right now the Crypt Spiralis on the back right are to the top of the tank, and I'm hoping the Ludwigia on the left is gaining in height. Yesterday I added a few giant sagataria and a red melon sword to the left of the big amazon sword. And I added a new layer of pool sand which I like. The corys I have were getting worn down barbels with the course substrate I had in there, they should be happier now. I'll try to get a pic tonight. Thanks all!
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The Plantman
This what I have going on with my 46 Bowfront. I agree you should black out the back. I like the wood. I would maybe get some tall growers along the back edge.

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