[Padre]

I would like to enlist your help in planning my aquascape for my tank.... It is a 46 gallon bowfront with 96 watt lighting and a xps2 filter. I have eco-complete substrate mixed with flourite black sand. I will be dosing with ferts and plan on putting in root tabs to heavy feeders, if needed. This is what I am thinking as a frame-work so far...

The red area I would like to be a low-growing plant like Riccia fluitans, Glossostigma elatinoides, or Hemianthus callitrichoides. Out of these, which do you think is a) easiest, b) most attractive, and c) liable to live in my current setup until I get my CO2 in a few months?

The yellow area I was thinking about doing a mid-height plant like a Hygrophila difformis or Lysimachia nummularia 'Aurea.' Any other plants that you could suggest?

The blue area I would like a central focus piece... something fairly low with a rounded shape like a Nymphaea lotus 'Zenkeri.' Any others that I should consider?

Finally, in the green area I'd like to put in some of the taller plants to fill that back corner like some Val, Hygrophila difformis, or a ludwigia...

What do you think? I appreciate all of your input and help for this novice!!

Gratefully,

Padre Gideon+

 

[Padre]

Thanks for your input! Based on much of the response that I have been given here and elsewhere, I decided to get my CO2 up and running before I plant. Hopefully, this will enable me to get the best start possible. Thanks again!

 

[Padre]

Here's an update of my tank... I got my pressurized CO2 system up and running and that is working flawlessly (so far!). I was also able to get a bunch of nice plants from my local aquarium club meeting auction. Here are some pics of the updated tank... Although the plants have changed, the general idea for the tank has not.... high and full on the left, tapering down to low on the right.

Here is the front (sorry in advance for the glare)

Right front

Center front

Left end

Right end

I have also added more dwarf harigrass to the right side, as well as some water sprite to help get the tank established. I appreciate any feedback!!

 

[Padre]

OK... here is a better shot without the glare and about a week and a half after the first pics. I pruned my Java Moss because it was getting pretty wild!

 

[Padre]

Thanks Catherine! I am hoping the same thing. I will move things around if they don't quite turn out right. Of course, that's the beauty with planted tanks--you can do that!

CobraGuppy--thanks for the suggestions. I considered that, too. Where do you think that moss would look the best on the left side?