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First I want to apologize for the poor quality of this picture, I'm having camera issues again ]:|

I'm trying to decide what to do with the background in terms of plants. Left to right there are three bunches of cabomba, an open space, anacharis, and a radican sword.

The anacharis is in need of a trim. My two ideas are to trim that and plant the cuttings in the open space, or remove the anacharis entirely and fill the rest of the back with cabomba.

Any opinions on those ideas, or any others would be very much appreciated

Theresa_M attached this image:


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IMO cabomba fills out better, but then I'm not often a fan of single plant backgrounds, but it may work in a tank your size.

Maybe interspersed with the anacharis trimmings.

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Theresa_M

First I think someone should ask Santa for a good camera what do you think??????

This is the best I could do at least it lightened it and enlarged it for you.

I often like a single plant background it can look very effective. Dont plant in a straight line stagger them as nature would. Plant several inches from the back to give a good feel of depth.

PS still love that piece of driftwood.
Keith

keithgh attached this image:


Last edited by keithgh at 10-Dec-2004 17:21[/font]

Last edited by keithgh at 10-Dec-2004 17:22

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Personally, I am not a big fan of anacarus as it can grow too quickly and out compete other plants for nutrients they may need. So first, I would take out the anacarus completely. But, I would find another plant to off set the entire background from being the just one plant effect. Try some Jungle Val. Or maybe split the Combomba out to the corners, move the drift wood back a little, and put some Bolibitus or Java fern on the drift wood, as your center piece.



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There is always a bigger fish...

Judging by the picture, it doesn't look as if your light is strong enough for cabomba, so, if that is the case, I wouldn't even try it as it will not grow and will actually start rotting pretty quickly and will foul your tank. But I think I see some cabomba there, so it might really be the picture. I personally don't like too many different plants -- less is more when I'm concerned. I like the Cryptocoryne crispatula var. balansae as background. They're very attractive, need medium to strong light and are very easy, although they're not very fast growers.

Theresa,

Personally I would ditch the the Anachris, can't stand the stuff.

Move the Cambomba to the corner slightly. For a background plant in a tank that size Pearlweed and /or Rotala Indica/Rotundifolia would be great choices IMO. Nice small foliage that would contrast well with the bigger leaves on the rest of your plants, colorful (a mixture would work well, bright green with a few flashes of red), easy to take care of, can create a thick forest look quickly. A couple of Vals maybe between them and the Cambomba might work, just make sure it's a small variety of Val like Corkscrew. The larger Vals can overwhelm a tank that size in no time.

Smaller tanks are much more difficult to aquascape well IME. I find that mixing in some plants with very small leaves gives a greater feeling of depth and helps make the tank look bigger then it actually is.

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