Plant suggestions for Driftwood and Foreground

I just bought a 35 gallon cube tank (20x20x20") that I plan on getting a school of Snakeskin Barbs and a pair or small harem of either GBR's, Bolivians or Red Cockatoo's.

Will have a section of driftwood on slate slab that is 12" tall and 13" long with a couple horizontal branches perfect for some plants.

Other than Java Fern on the branches is there something else I can put on the horizontal branches as well along the vertical trunk that will look nice with an Amazon Sword I am transplanting from my 90g tank?

I have Crypt parva and Microsword (both of which I have not been real happy with their growth) on my 90g tank foreground and was looking for suggestions on different plants in the foreground to complement the Amazon Sword in the back and plants on the driftwood.
Any suggestions?

 

Sounds like it might make a nice moss tree.

 

My java moss is just beginning to really take on the various branches I have in my tank. I love the way it looks.

 

as far as the wood goes, I'm going to agree with the moss route. check out some pics online. there are some amazing setups with different kinds. depending on your light situation, check out flame moss. it grows vertically instead of everywhere like the java. also if you want something different, and simple, check out windelov ferns. it's basically a fancy java fern. or maybe an anubias nana petite. it stays small and is low maintenance too.

 

Other than Java Fern on the branches is there something else I can put on the horizontal branches as well along the vertical trunk that will look nice with an Amazon Sword I am transplanting from my 90g tank?

I have Crypt parva and Microsword (both of which I have not been real happy with their growth) on my 90g tank foreground and was looking for suggestions on different plants in the foreground to complement the Amazon Sword in the back and plants on the driftwood.
Any suggestions?

HI Ksuvet,

Don't discount the various Microsorum pteropus (java fern) variants: "Windelov"; "Trident"; Narrowleaf; and Needleleaf can all add visual interest to your tank. Along with the plants listed above I have grown the following on driftwood:

Bolbitis heudelotii
Bolbitis 'short form' / 'mini'
Anubias barteri
Anubias barterI nana
Anubias barterI nana 'Petite'
Hygrophila pinnatifida

As for what to grow in your 90 gallon it would be helpful to know what type / amount of light you have on that tank. A 90 gallon is a tall tank; I have a 45 gallon tall (24" tall) and getting sufficient light intensity (PAR) at the substrate level can be difficult. That said I have successfully grown Marsilea minuta and Helanthium tenellum in that 24" deep tank. Blyxa japonica might also do well and give you the visual contrast that would look good.

45 gallon tall; Marsilea minuta on left front; Helanthium tenellum right front with Blyxa japonica behind it on right

 

This is the LED (thought I would try something a little different) I purchased. Otherwise I would default to an AquaticLife 24" 2x 24Watt bulbs (6700 and 6000)

 

The Finnex Ray II LED is a better light. Not sure the Current will penetrate that deep a tank very well. I did extensive research before I bought the Finnex and I'm thoroughly thrilled with it.

I agree with all the plant ideas put out, basically your choices are the mosses, anubias and java ferns that come in whole lot of variations. I am particularly fond of lace java ferns (windelov). And not mentioned previously is the golden variant of the anubias nana which often provides a sharp contrast in color and looks particularly good to me on top of moss or wood.

 

The Marsilea and Helanthium are really nice. That would look nice in my tank, actually the 35g and my 90g.

I have a 90g 24" tall tank with 2x54W T5HO bulbs that do a pretty good job with the Amazon Swords and Wisteria. The Wisteria I have to trim every week (2-3" a week) and all Swords are up to 22".

 

The Finnex Ray II LED is a better light. Not sure the Current will penetrate that deep a tank very well. I did extensive research before I bought the Finnex and I'm thoroughly thrilled with it.

I agree with all the plant ideas put out, basically your choices are the mosses, anubias and java ferns that come in whole lot of variations. I am particularly fond of lace java ferns (windelov). And not mentioned previously is the golden variant of the anubias nana which often provides a sharp contrast in color and looks particularly good to me on top of moss or wood.

Is that the 10" long Finnex?

 

Mine is 24"

Here's a link to where I bought mine.

 

Thanks...unfortunately my tank is 20" and the nearest size is 18" and 24" and the units do not look like they adjust to the length.
or do they?

 

I would think that the 18 is designed for a 20" tank. Who ever heard of an 18" tank? I know my 24" could be adjusted for an additional inch on each side.

 

I think I will call them and see if the 18" extends to a 20". Thanks a bunch LetDiceFly

 

The Marsilea and Helanthium are really nice. That would look nice in my tank, actually the 35g and my 90g.

I have a 90g 24" tall tank with 2x54W T5HO bulbs that do a pretty good job with the Amazon Swords and Wisteria. The Wisteria I have to trim every week (2-3" a week) and all Swords are up to 22".

HI Ksuvet,

The amount of light a fluorescent fixture put out is dependent upon the manufacturer and the quality of the ballast, reflectors, and reflector spacing they use. That said, an 'average' 2X54 watt T5HO should provide a light intensity of about PAR=75 ("medium light") at a 20" depth (assuming 4" of substrate). With that you should have no problems with either the Marsilea minuta or the Helanthium tenellum.

 

Great...thank you very much!

 

This is the LED (thought I would try something a little different) I purchased. Otherwise I would default to an AquaticLife 24" 2x 24Watt bulbs (6700 and 6000)

HI Ksuvent,

If you could please tell me if you purchased the 18" - 24" or the 24" - 36" unit I can give you some PAR information on that fixture as well.

 

I bought the 18"-24" unit....thanks for doing that

 

I have the 20" version of that AquaticLife T5HO fixture, fairly happy with that light also.

You might want to use two to cover that big cube though

 

LetDiceFly......I was going to buy the 20" Aquatic Life but I couldn't find replacement 20" bulbs for the wavelength I wanted because they stick a Rosette bulb on there and I would like another 6000 or 6700.

What type of bulbs do you have in yours?

Have you been able to find a place that has 20" replacement bulbs?

 

I haven't had trouble finding them, just not at DFS or Amazon where I normally shop. I just bought some from this place.



I used the rosette bulb for its life but replaced it with the 6000. I did some research though because I didn't understand the 650nm. It turns out that is in a freshwater plant range, how it compares to a regular bulb I couldn't tell you, perhaps Roy can, he clearly knows more than either of us.

 

will that fit in your 20"? It says its 18" bulb

 

I see on the Aquatic life fixture web page it has 18" lamps.

 

I bought the 18"-24" unit....thanks for doing that

HI Ksuvent,

According to the manufacturer that model puts out:

@12" - PAR = 36
@18" - PAR = 28
@24" - PAR = 21

Assuming a 20 high is 16.8" tall; 2" of substrate; I would estimate PAR = 32 or "low light".

On the other hand, the an 'average' 2X24 watt T5HO on that 20 gallon will probably give you 90+ PAR (definitely 'high light').

 

I have the 20" version of that AquaticLife T5HO fixture, fairly happy with that light also.

You might want to use two to cover that big cube though

I think two of the 20" units would work better. If 4 total lamps are a bit too much is okay to take one of them out and leave empty or does a lamp have to be in each of the 4 slots?

 

HI Ksuvent,

According to the manufacturer that model puts out:

@12" - PAR = 36
@18" - PAR = 28
@24" - PAR = 21

Assuming a 20 high is 16.8" tall; 2" of substrate; I would estimate PAR = 32 or "low light".

On the other hand, the an 'average' 2X24 watt T5HO on that 20 gallon will probably give you 90+ PAR (definitely 'high light').

That's great SeattleRoy.......thanks for looking that stuff up.

 

I think two of the 20" units would work better. If 4 total lamps are a bit too much is okay to take one of them out and leave empty or does a lamp have to be in each of the 4 slots?

I have never tried to run it with only one lamp. It is common practice to use two timers and run one for something like 8 hours and one of them for just 4 hours in the middle. I would just use the rosette bulbs until they die, especially considering you will have an abundance of light anyway.

 

I think what I am going to do is get the one, dual lamp 20" Aquatic Life fixture with 6000K and 650nm lamps.

If it does not seem to be enough considering the depth I will combine that with the Satellite LED and hopefully that should be enough PAR for all the plants. The combo of the two may not be aesthetically pleasing but with a PAR of 28 from the LED coupled with the moderate lighting of the 2x18Watt lamps (24 Watts are in the 24" fixture) hopefully around 60-70 PAR, that should be enough.

LetDicePlay and SeattleRoy, the help from both of you guys is why Fishlore is the best!