10 gallon semi-planted puffer tank - Aquascaping

GekkoGeck0 · 11-08-2005, 01:37 PM

I say semi-planted because I'm not finished getting rid of the plastic plants.

10 gallon tank, 2 10 watt mini compact fluorescent bulbs rated at 6500k. Current plant residents are Cladophora aegagropila, Ceratophyllum demersum, Cryptocoryne x willisii, assumed Lemna sp., Microsorum pteropus, and a few strands of Vesicularia dubyana. Everything else is plastic. Will soon be home to dwarf puffers and possibly ghost/cherry shrimp and perhaps an oto.

Substrate is Flourite, added yesterday.

Comments, suggestions and constructive criticism welcome. Other plant suggestions are also welcome.

ted spade · 11-08-2005, 02:23 PM

Do you have a co2 system? If not I would reccomend a DIY co2 system but you would have to be careful of the Ph swings.

GekkoGeck0 · 11-08-2005, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ted spade

Do you have a co2 system? If not I would reccomend a DIY co2 system but you would have to be careful of the Ph swings.

No, not at this moment. I have had many issues with this tank, trying to keep the water stable (low KH problems causing pH drops during fishless cycling), and I originally started out just getting the plants as a novelty.

DIY CO2 at this point is a bit much for me, but I am considering trying it out in the future.

RTR · 11-08-2005, 04:23 PM

I like the radar dish Marimo ball holder!

GekkoGeck0 · 11-08-2005, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RTR

I like the radar dish Marimo ball holder!

Perhaps it could function as a satellite dish for the puffers? Would they like Animal Planet?

Thank you. Only use I could find for that clamshell and it keeps the little bugger from rolling all over the tank when I poke around in there.

It had a baby recently. Well, more like I snipped off this larger piece that was growing out of it. The baby's resting on top of the driftwood with the Java fern rhizome.

GekkoGeck0 · 11-08-2005, 07:40 PM

I have a short list of 'possible' plants for the tank. These are ones that have caught my eye. Some have requirements beyond what I can provide, others are pains to grow, and yet others aren't even available here easily, but if I was to obtain any of them, does anyone have good ideas on how to place them? This is the first time I've ever made any effort at aquascaping an aquarium, so I'm trying to get ideas beyond the simple rule of short plants - foreground, long plants - background.

I'm open to other plant suggestions that would look attractive as well.

Anubias barteri v. nana 'Petite'
Anubias barteri v. nana
Ceratophyllum submersum
Microsorum pteropus 'Windeløv'
Limnophila sessiliflora
Ceratopteris thalictroides
Monosolenium tenerum
Vesicularia fasciculata
Eleocharis acicularis
Eleocharis "parvula"
Hemianthus callitrichoides

GekkoGeck0 · 12-10-2005, 06:16 PM

Alright, I've gone further into the process of de-plasticizing the tank.

Forgive the murkiness of the photo, I forgot to wipe the glass prior to taking the picture. This is the tank without flash this time. The lighting has remained the same.

New plants are Hygrophila polysperma, Monosolenium tenerum and Hemianthus callitrichoides "Cuba". The marimo ball collapsed when I cut a small piece off of it to create a little mini algae ball, so it got wrapped around the driftwood. I'm adding Flourish Excel per bottle instructions now.

Constructive criticism is extremely welcome on all fronts.

Sully · 12-10-2005, 10:54 PM

Hmm, looks generally good.

I dislike the plant (hairgrass) in front of the rock pillar/tunnel structure. I would take out the middle structure, and stick to that thing on the left. and have the HC grow out alittle around it. But all in all it looks generally good. I don't mean to be overly critical, just saying what I think looks okay. What's good to another, is crap to the other. If it makes you tingle, stick to it.

Sully

imafishy! · 12-10-2005, 11:48 PM

Is that shell in the front a real shell? I think shells hardens your pH? I'm not really sure...I might need to do a little research. I also think that the hairgrass is too tall to be placed in the front. Nice start on the tank!!

GekkoGeck0 · 12-11-2005, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sully

I dislike the plant (hairgrass) in front of the rock pillar/tunnel structure.

So do I. I just didn't have anywhere to put it and I'm hesitant to remove cover, for both the puffers and the otos.

I removed it anyway, I really couldn't find a place to cram it, without disturbing my new H. polysperma stems.

Quote:

I would take out the middle structure, and stick to that thing on the left. and have the HC grow out alittle around it.

Not sure exactly what you're referring to.

Quote:

But all in all it looks generally good. I don't mean to be overly critical, just saying what I think looks okay. What's good to another, is crap to the other. If it makes you tingle, stick to it.

Nah, overly critical gives me new ideas and new ways to think of things. I am by no means stuck on this particular layout, I'm always open to shifting a few things around.

Quote:

Originally Posted by imafishy!

Is that shell in the front a real shell? I think shells hardens your pH? I'm not really sure...I might need to do a little research.

Yes, shells up your pH and raise your KH, which is what I am aiming for. My tapwater doesn't have the greatest buffering capacity, and if you're worried about my seashell, then I guess I shouldn't tell you about the crushed coral in the HOB filter?

My puffers needed a bit harder water, so the seashell is of no real consequence.