New to aquascaping

[Gerbil]

Hi Everyone,

I new to ASW and was hoping I could get your suggestions and recommendations for my planted aquarium.

I have been keeping fish with a few plants for a few years now, but a couple of months ago started reading about aquascaping and decided to buy a 235L tank and start my own aquascape.

In the last two months I have changed the plants or their position and still can’t get a nice aquascape like the ones I see in the pictures, I mean how, do you get plants to grow half way up or near the top of the tank, all of mine are planted in the substrate.

My end result would be a heavily planted community aquarium full of depth and colour.

My Tank Specs are;
121x40x60 (235L when filled)
2x 48” T5 Aquabright (12 Hrs)
1x 48” T5 AquaBlu (12 Hrs)
1x 48” T5 Aquawhite (10 Hrs)
1x 12” T8 AquaBlu (16 Hrs) – Used to help night viewing
CO2 daily
JBL Aquabasis Basic, Gravel and Silver Sand for the substrate
70L Sump filtration (DIY)

The fish I have are;
4x Clown Loach
2x Kuli Loach
4x Dwarf Gouramis
7x Black Neon Tetra’s
8x Glow Light Tetra’s
13x Neon Tetra’s
2x Siamenis Algae Eaters (Might be Flying Fox???)
2x Lake Kutubu Rainbow
2x Boesman’s Rainbow
1x Siamenis Fighting Fish (Delta Type)
2x German Blue Ram
1x Angel Fish
2x Peacock Cichlids
5x Oto’s
6x Bronze Cory Doras
1x Panda Cory Doras

I’ve attached some pictures of the different layouts I have had, any help you can give I’m grateful for

Thanks

[Jur4ik]

we all use nutrient rich soils, such as ADA Aquasoil, this is very important

what is total wattage of your lightning?
what do you mean with daily co2?
what about ferts?

[Gerbil]

Hi thanks for your reply,

My total wattage is 234w

I use TetraPlant CO2-Optimat each day, also I use a 48" airstone throughout the night.

I'm using JBL FerroTabs once a week, and JBL Ferropol 24 each day

I have read about ADA Aquasoil but am still unsure what it is, I haven't seen it in any of the fish stores near me. Do you use just that, or put gravel/sand on top.

Regards
Gerbil

[Shadow]

how, do you get plants to grow half way up or near the top of the tank, all of mine are planted in the substrate.

You need to slope yous soil/gravel/substrate.

I have read about ADA Aquasoil but am still unsure what it is, I haven't seen it in any of the fish stores near me. Do you use just that, or put gravel/sand on top.

ADA Aquasoil is fine by its own. Do not add any gravel on top.