Swifterz

i fell in love with mine. i can't wait til they get bigger and get more color. i want to get others i just don't like convicts or any others that much. there are a couple i'd consider but i think they are too aggressive. keyholes are very peaceful and i just want to have a little variety that's why i'm thinking of adding a pair.

Tony G.

i agree with gmen
i just got a jelly bean today and am amzaed at how cute the little thing is! he isfull of personality and is not like the regular fish that whenever you get close he goes away. He actually coems up to you and stares lol

gmen4life

ah come on but a colored up female cons looks really pretty

gmen4life

yeah then the begging begins my angel even does it yay for all cichlids

Swifterz

decided to return the anubias because of how expensive they were.



with that same money, i went to another LFS and got all this... amazon sword, micro sword, anacharis, moss, and i forget what the ones in the corners are called. all for under $20.

Tony G.

looks nice

Swifterz

thanks. no one has called or emailed me about the balas yet.

Blub

I think the corner plants are Pileas - which are acctually terrestrial plants which last a few months in the aquarium before rotting/decaying/dyeing. Also, id you take the plants out of their bunches/pots? They don't do very well when kept in the bunches long term - and it's best to remove them from the pots as they can become unhealthy it they live in the pot for a long time. I love that wood by the way - I wish I had a piece like that!

Swifterz

none of them plants are in pots. those corner plants weren't sold under the name pileas.. i can't remember but they weren't called that.

Swifterz

pretty much all my plants are dead or dying now. the anacharis is completely wiped out. the micro sword has holes in the leaves. the amazon sword seems to be alright, but def. not flourishing.

peacemaker92

Hi Swifterz.

Sorry to hear about your plants. Do you have a CO2 system with your tank? (sorry if I'm asking, wished I had more time to read your whole thread )

Some of my plants are dying too even though I have a CO2 system with it. Not sure if it's enough but my other plants are fine.

Check out this link, http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_viewer.php?id=102
The Aponogeton Crispus. They're quite interesting plants and can really thrive and survive without much demand. I have one in my tank, bought it last week and it's really growing fast compared to my other plants.

Hope that helps Good luck!

zowie717

well i read this whole thread....whooa...and I agree with all previous post about the fish.....

but in reference to the most recent issue..the plants........ i attempted when i first got my 60 gallon. (before any fish) and all my plants died too.... plants need alot and IMO better to start small and get experience with keeping them alive before putting them in a tank that is every changing at this point.

what kind of lights do you have? certain plants need high output of light to grow. they also need Co2 system. (there is a DIY thread on how to make one at home cheap). you also have cichlids which EAT plants and will Rearrange your plants, move them, uproot them. your water parameters can effect plants also. hardness of water, etc...also your substrate (sand) doesnt have nutrients in it for the plants. (alot go with ecocomplete substrate for plants). also sometimes you have to give your plants food and viatims. when my died off the tank got really nasty.......adn I went straight to african cichlids and havent looked back...... ; ).
good luck

Blub

They are Pileas - Pilea is acctualy the name of the genus it belongs to (I believe you have P.cardierei), so they might have been sold under an english name - in the houseplant trade it's known as 'Aluminium plant' but it might be called something else in Aquatics. I have seen it for sale as an aquatic plant before so it's not unheard of.

They look similar, right?

If they didn't come in pots, did they come in bunches? If so you need to take them out of the bunches, or I'm not surprised if they aren't happy! I've never seen them for sale without pots or bunches.

Also, since you have sand and there are no fish/snails stirring it up by digging in it (that's why I love MTS snails!) the sand may become compacted and crush the roots. Just a thought which could be the culprit; it would make sense because Amazon sword has really strong roots.

You might want to try growing Cryptocorynes or Ambulia - I have honestly no idea how to kill them as they are indestructible in my experience!

Swifterz

^^ that's them. i had them in bunches.

thanks for the help everyone. pretty much every plant died or was dying. i'm back to no plants at all.

Swifterz

i repositioned the driftwood and it looks so much better now. the big piece on the left is pushed further back and slanted. the one on the right was turned on it's side and "wedged" into the tank. i want to go get a third "central" piece in the next couple of days but so far every one i have found at the LFS didn't really interest me.

abc123d30

I'd like to see an updated picture of your tank if you can get one. You have some pretty awesome aquascaping skills.

Swifterz

i just snapped a few pics of my firemouths and they for once turned out great. give me a few and i'll have them uploaded.

Swifterz

bolivianbaby

Great pics and beautiful fish!

Swifterz

[video]

angelfish220

I second the post asking for a pic of the new tank arrangement!

Swifterz

i haven't taken another pic yet because i'm waiting until i get my third piece of driftwood. i went to 3 places today and none of them interested me enough. i have something pretty specific in mind as far as size and shape, i just need to find something that's close..

abc123d30

awesome pics and video, the firemouths look great!

aquarist48

Beautiful Firemouths! Will be looking forward to more photos from you.
Ken

Swifterz

thanks everyone.

if my plan actually unfolds i should be able to rehome the balas and i'm giving a couple tiger barbs to a friend who wants to increase the size of his school. this will free up a ton of room so i can get some convicts or whatever else i want.

Swifterz

here's the other firemouth

abc123d30

aww, what a cutie!
Did you ever find that 3rd piece of driftwood you were looking for?

Swifterz

sadly, no. i keep looking but i'm pretty picky. i'm shopping online right now actually.

abc123d30

I know what you mean, when you have an idea in your head of what you want something to look like and then you have to get it just how you pictured it in your head.

Swifterz

yah i do have something specific in mind. thing is i might not ever find a piece quite like what i'm looking for. i hate to order online, cause you have to pay shipping and i like to be able to hold (and turn) the piece in my hand. i get a feel for it's size obviously and exactly how i'd position it when i am looking at it in person.