PomPrint Fish Pages :: Planted tank

I love the smaller tanks. My favorite right now is a 5g bow front tank. I can pick this one up and move it to the sink if need be to take care of it. This tank has been set up since Feb. with some plants in it.

Although the plants have stayed green and pretty I felt it might do better if I did it with soil.

So I got out my "Ecology of the Planted Aquarium" book by Diana Walstad reread it and then redid my tank. (Even if you keep a high tech planted tank I recommend reading this book it has great info on how and why planted tanks work so well for filtering your water)

This is a day one picture. Ill update this later as the tank grows out. Also I have some more plants on order that should arrive next week sometime. Some fast growing floating plants.

This tank houses 6 white cloud mountian minnows and one beta. I have a 10g in the works that I plan to house ghost shrimp and a beta.

Keywords: Plants, Aquatic, Betta

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Re: Planted tank

by Herichthys Carpinte on Sun 16 Jul 2006 18:55 BST | Profile | Permanent Link

Angie,

I am looking forward to the updates and, by the way, thanks for entering your first 'Article' on this site. Perhaps you might consider doing a book review for us on Diana Walstad's book?

Unfortunately, as a cichlid keeper, it is very difficult to keep a planted aquarium, as they are constantly getting dug up, buried or eaten!

I have managed to keep a few plants alive in with my Jaguars(believe it or not), but as to what they are, I will have to go searching for the labels and let you know later on.

My wife has plants in with her livebearers, and these seem to be doing quite well. The problem is that you appear to need vast amounts to make any difference to the Nitrate levels in the tank.

Perhaps you have an opinion on this? I would be interested to hear your thoughts.

Steve

Re: Re: Planted tank

by ParrotsThatSwim on Sun 16 Jul 2006 19:34 BST | Profile | Permanent Link

Try potted plants in your ciclid tanks. You dont even have to use pots you can use bowls, glasses anything that well hold dirt and rocks.
Since you have so many tanks you can try different types or plants to see what the fish well let grow. And with the pots you can move them to a different tank if the fish seem to be eating them.
Also floating plants. I plan to move floating plants into my parrot tank as soon I can talk hubby into letting me buy more plants. Hornwort is a good fast grower and it is great for fry to hide in. Even goldfish well leave it alone.

Planted tank

by Herichthys Carpinte on Sun 16 Jul 2006 19:37 BST | Profile | Permanent Link

Do you know of any plants that taste disgusting but look pretty? Java fern is about the only thing that I can put in my tanks, and that misses out in the looks department! :D

S.

Re: Planted tank

by ParrotsThatSwim on Mon 17 Jul 2006 03:27 BST | Profile | Permanent Link

Not sure its the "taste" that stops fish from eating them. I know people have reported things that are soft leafed get ate up pretty fast but stull like amazon swards and vals have proven good and sturdy. I dont have any plants in my parrot fish tank at this time so cant really recomend anything.

Re: Re: Re: Planted tank

by Herichthys Carpinte on Sun 23 Jul 2006 23:39 BST | Profile | Permanent Link

Angie,

Have done as you suggested. Any thought on my future success?

Real plants with cichlids.

Steve

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