[Metalmaid]

When I´ve had Java I´ve tied it to mangrove.

Ever concidered plants with small leaf as Micramenthemum umbrosum or Rotala rotundifolia for example, or plants with large leafs as Echinodorus? They make a nice contrast to grass-like plants.

 

[dawntwister]

I am doing something similar. I will have an area with just pool sand. Previously I had a tank with sand as the top substrate. I buried the java fern in the sand. Care of rhizome plants states not to bury the rhizome but they grow fine buried in the sand. At present have a bunch of java fern that just sit on top of the substrate.

 

[ara35]

got an update with some questions. i got my nova extreme light 2x39 watt bulbs so about 2.6 watts per gallon. i ordered my plants as well!!!! i got h.m., blyxa japonica, bacopa carolinia, and some wysteria. how does it sound?? will i need some ferts?

 

[dawntwister]

Are the lights T5 HO 10K/460nm? Is that a 40gallon tank?

Researching your plants I found that the Blyx japapo is the main plaint that you will need to keep an eye on. It needs high light and co2. Perhaps you can use flourish excel instead of co2.

Whether you need ferts depends on the plants reaction to your light and the minerals in your water column. The substrate will also provide some nutrients. What is the substrate?

Some dose on a regiment and do weekly water changes.

I lean toward the minimum, thus once the tank is establish water changes only have to be done monthly. The blyx will probably need some potassium nitrate.

Dry ferts can be bought cheap on line at http://www.rexgrigg.com/ or www.aquariumfertilizers.com. Rex is cheaper but delivery slower than the other.

For potassium nitrate I am using Specracide stump remover from Lowe's. Something suggested at 1 of the aquarium forums I visit.

 

[ara35]

the lights are T5 HO.
i already have a diy CO2 system set up which seems to be working fine.
the substrate is Seachem flourite black sand.

So should i try without ferts and see what happens at first?
and how will the plants stand against barbs and cories??

 

[maknwar]

I would like to see how it would look with all the rocks towards the back left corner. Tall plants behind it, and an HC foreground. Blyxa jap. around the rocks.

 

[ara35]

i like that idea alot. rocks with the bacopa and wisteria behind it, then bushes of the HM in the background where theres no plants, and then blyxa around the bottom of the rocks. then get some HC or other ground cover... thoughts?

 

[dawntwister]

I have no experience with injected co2 but I have seen tanks that have lucious plant growth with just injected Co2 added to the tank.

Here is some info on the Bacopa caroliniana:
If lighting is intense and nitrates are low, this plant will turn a dull copper or brownish color. When phosphates are limited, it will attain a pink blush.

So if the Bacopa caroliniana doesn't produce the colors you want adding 5mm potassium nitrate may bring out the pink. I have found potssium nitrate the most beneficial fert to help my plants outgrow the algae.