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Well as many of you know I am soon to be going planted, I have a 55 gallon aquarium with 2.5WPG and I will be adding CO2 and fertilizers as needed.

The plants I was set to get before have fallen through and I'm starting fresh. I will be ordering my plants from http://www.azgardens.com.

Currently I'm looking to get the following:
2 Anubis Nana
3 Amazon Swords
10 Vallisneria spiralis (Very small)
1 Micro Sword Grass 6"x12"
10 Sagittaria Subulata (Very small)

I'm wondering if this would be enough to fill the back 6inches a 55 gallon aquarium in a reasonable time frame and if that is enough microsword to fill the front within 2-3 months.

The aquarium that I'm trying to emulate is below. I like how the front is completely open and only the back is planted. I tried to find the same plants used in this aquarium, but also put a bit of my own spin on it.

Any comments would be wonderful, and thank you to everyone who has helped me so far.

john.stone attached this image:


Last edited by john.stone at 04-Dec-2004 15:17[/font]

Hi John,
The long answer is yes, with that plant selection
you have the potential for a beautiful tank. However,
how fast the plants grow, and how soon the tank settles
in, is dependent upon so many variables, that I'd hate
to say yes, in 2 or 3 months, or even 6 - 8 months.
I think you are being a bit impatient.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

I'm fine with waiting, it's just that I'd like to get the ground coverd asap, and I was mainly asking if I needed more grass or if that was enough.

John,

The Val and Sag will send out runners willingly once they settled in and can spread rapidly. You may end up having to chuck some of the vals.

Micro Grass depends what species you have - there are a few. Must admit I've never had much luck with any other then Tennellus. The ground plants in the photo look to be a mixture of Glosso and Microsword, mostly Glosso.

The Nana's will take years to fill any kind of large space ! Either get a lot or use sparingly as highlights.

To get the sags and swords to the size in the photo, you are looking at at least 6 months. To actually achieve that size you will require good light (2,5 wpg will do just fine) Co2 supplementation and a good substrate or goot root fertilization. Other then that not much in maintenance is required (other then the normal good practices).

One thing I have noticed is that trimming the older outer leaves(cut as close to the bottom as possible) seems to encourage ever bigger leaves.



Last edited by bensaf at 04-Dec-2004 23:21

---

Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

I think you are being a bit impatient.

john, I think Frank's got your number!

I would change the amazon swords for Balck-red Amazon Swordplant they grow faster and have the same appearance as the photo you are showing. mine just has 3 months in the tank and it came very small i'n just one of those tropica pots.


Falstaf attached this image: