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Another idea to fulfill both the background and green plant needs is to try something I've done... Cut plastic canvas to the size of your tank, plaster with java moss and sew it to the grid with fishing line. It does take a bit to grow in, but certainly makes for an interesting background.

However, I do rather like the idea of the brown paper background. Perhaps hygro for the background plantings? I think the light, airy feel of the plant would compliment the heaviness of the rock.

I do agree that you need a bright, light green to contrast the reds, so perhaps the java moss idea isn't such a great idea in this case... too dark to make the reds pop. Hmm... well, good luck!

~Meow. Thus spoke the cat.~

I played around with the tank yesterday. I was in a hurry to take pictures so the water is still a bit cloudy

I separated the crypts and ended up with many new plants. Now there's crypt jungle on the left but I'm not sure if I'm happy with that or not.

I still plan to do the brown paper background and I ordered 15 corkscrew vals to fill in the back.



Theresa_M attached this image:


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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

WOW
i cant believe that lotus is under 1wpg

Also Theresa i wouldnt go for all red plants as it wont look at all natural

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''All the clown fish and yellow tangs in the world cant save you now!''

Now in my 50cm cubed tank, I got less than 1w / gal. and all seems well, my Red tiger lotus and sunset hygro is growing nice and red/pink.

alot of those plants need alot more then 1wpg

I would get lots of hydro to place in each corner and in the centre of the background i would have some Anacharis imfront of them id put your crypts followed by some cryptocoryne wendtii and cryptocoryne parva in the foreground.



Last edited by Alex at 22-Jun-2005 01:22

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''All the clown fish and yellow tangs in the world cant save you now!''

Yes, I think so too. I ordered two bunchs myself today. Picking them up soon

Gosh that red cabomba is gorgeous~!!!!

That would look fabulous in your tank Theresa.
The red tiger lotus also a very nice idea.


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If you like red then a Red Tiger Lotus would be good. Its nice and red. Good for a center plant.



For background plants...there is:

Tropical Sunset Hygro


Red Cabomba


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I really think that tank is crying out for a moulded background. It would just make is PERFECT.

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

This is my Asian biotope that I need some help/advice with.

I really like the red-orange look of the tank. I've been planning to fill in the front of the tank with the crypts, replanting the daughters as I get them.

I'm not sure about the placement of the wood pieces; I'm willing to change those. I've also thought about attaching either an Anubias, some java moss or java fern to one of the pieces...yes? no? And if so, which?

And my big concern is the back of the tank...should I fill in with crypts there as well or something else?

The tank is 12" high, 1 WPG, flourite substrate. I'm not opposed to green plants, I just want the emphasis on red. And I want to stick with just a few types of plants.

Thanks

Last edited by Theresa_M at 24-Jun-2005 09:52

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

I believe that you should get some java moss and attach it to your drift wood, it looks very nice. Maybe you could try a small retaining wall and put some of your shorter plants on it. If you don't want a wall, some small rock work would be nice.

Hi Theresa, there are a couple nice tall light green plants that as Keith said, would accentuate the red crypts in the front of the tank.
If you like a fluffy, light look, you could try
Asian Ambulia


If you like the tall thin look,
you could go with Vallisneria



Last edited by sneaky_pete at 18-Jun-2005 22:59[/font][/font]

Come Play Yahtzee With Me!
http://games.atari.com
Http://www.myleague.com/yahtgames

Theresa_M

To make all the red plants stand out you require tall pale green plants at the rear of the tank and planted thickly.
I would also paint the back of the glass black.

Keith

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The brown paper would work! I'd try doing both flat and crinkled looks....
Hmmm never had vals myself...the sharp lines might work as a contrast to the ruffled looking edges on the crypts...maybe someone else should decide on that :%)!

^_^[hr width='40%']"Has someone taken your faith? It's real, the pain you feel.
The life, the love, You die to heal.
The hope that starts, The broken hearts...
I’ve got another confession my friend, I’m no fool.
I’m getting tired of starting again, Somewhere new."
[link=*refighting lost battles*]http://babelfish.qwertydigital.com/" style="COLOR: #EB4288[/link]

What do you think about brown paper for a background...like the kind used for sending packages, similar to [link=this]http://www.staples.com/Catalog/Browse/sku_image.asp?PageType=1&SKU=527903&ImageTypeName=Enlarged&ReturnURL=%2FCatalog%2FBrowse%2FSku%2Easp%3FPageType%3D1%26Sku%3D527903" style="COLOR: #FFCC99[/link] (or paper grocery bags )

Since it won't really be a thick, heavily planted tank would a bunch of vals work along the back?

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

I dont feel that the crypts will give you the height that you want for the back. What about a background? I wouldn't go black....or even blue....maybe use wrapping paper for this one (generally dont' like it as it seems it'd be too flimsy) but if you could get a nice earthy tone I think it'd help with the warmer theme and not detract from the plants.
Only other red plants I know are red temple and rotala indica, both of which IME generally like a bit more than 1wpg especially to stay red (rotala will do alright on 1.5ish but stays green). Both also enjoy their CO2.

^_^[hr width='40%']"Has someone taken your faith? It's real, the pain you feel.
The life, the love, You die to heal.
The hope that starts, The broken hearts...
I’ve got another confession my friend, I’m no fool.
I’m getting tired of starting again, Somewhere new."
[link=*refighting lost battles*]http://babelfish.qwertydigital.com/" style="COLOR: #EB4288[/link]

So sorry, I forgot the pic

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Theresa_M attached this image:


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There is water at the bottom of the ocean