My 20 gal's progress

[Lindsey]

I have a 20 gallon low-light planted tank that I am trying to slowly add to. It was 15 watt flourescent bulb which I think I am just going to work with for the time being. I have java fern and a few other plants in there that I am going to pull soon because I bought them before I realized some plants had a lighting requirement. I WOULD LOVE ANY CONSTRICTIVE CRITICISM/TIPS, BUT KEEP IN MIND I AM ON A BUDGET! Thanks

Here is a pic for reference:


notes:
-I've tinkered with getting substrate but I don't think it would help much because of my low-lighting and my slow growing fern and anubias that I've ordered
- I have about half the amount of gravel that a 20 gal needs to since I've ruled out substrate for this tank I need to focus on picking up more gravel

[Lindsey]

Update for 7/8/08

Today I have ordered two medium sized (10-15") malaysian driftwood pieces. I haven't decided yet if I am going to pull my two rocks and make the driftwood my center pieces. I guess it depends on how big the wood actually is when it comes in the mail. I am going to be attaching all my plants to this wood since they are now just in my gravel.

I have also ordered some liquid fertilizer called Flourish. Hopefully it will help a small amount since I have decided against the substrate.

[hacket]

What fish are going to place in it?

[JustOneMore20]

Good start.


I see that your Java ferns are buried in the gravel. They need to be either attached to something (wood, rock, decoration) or, just bury the roots. The hard stem like part that the leaves grow out of needs to be above the gravel or it will rot.


You could get more Java ferns and some Anubias if you are looking to add more plants. Anubias are treated the same way as the Javas.....attach to something. I tie mine to rocks with fishing line and bury part of the rock.

[Lindsey]

Hi all, I currently have 4 bloodfin tetras, 2 kuhli loaches and 3 corydoras. I'd like to get a few more tetras so they can school in happiness.

I do need to take the fern out of the gravel. I think I am going to rubber band them to a rock for now since I don't have any fishing line.

I have also ordered some anubias. I got lancelota and nano (?) I think it what they were called.

[Buggy]

The rubber bands will detererate pretty quickly in the water. If you don't have fishing line try waxed, unflavored dental floss.

[Ichthius]

I've also found that cotton thread (a dark color so it blends with the roots) works fine when attaching plants like java fern to rocks or wood. I don't like to use rubber bands because fish tend to try and eat them in my experience and they're usually a bright odd color.

Looks like a good start. Good luck

[HTML.Coder]

Originally Posted by Lindsey

I have a 20 gallon low-light planted tank that I am trying to slowly add to. It was 15 watt flourescent bulb which I think I am just going to work with for the time being. I have java fern and a few other plants in there that I am going to pull soon because I bought them before I realized some plants had a lighting requirement. I WOULD LOVE ANY CONSTRICTIVE CRITICISM/TIPS, BUT KEEP IN MIND I AM ON A BUDGET! Thanks

Here is a pic for reference:


notes:
-I've tinkered with getting substrate but I don't think it would help much because of my low-lighting and my slow growing fern and anubias that I've ordered
- I have about half the amount of gravel that a 20 gal needs to since I've ruled out substrate for this tank I need to focus on picking up more gravel

cool tank!