Aquascape/Planting Advice Needed

[Aquaman145]

I'm a beginner aquarist and this is one of my first tanks, and certainly my first planted tank. I've had this tank running for a few weeks now and after making many adjustments I've arrived at this layout, however I'm still not sure if I'm satisfied with it. I would like some advice on what everyone else thinks about the layout, plant choices etc.

For the sake of clarity the current plants are green cabomba, rotala rotundifolia, s repens and 'red' ludwigia. The ludwigia was jsut purchased, and was green at the lfs, but will supposedly turn red under better lighting conditions.

I'm running a fluval spec 5 gallon tank, with the stock 7000k, 820 lm light. An online source suggests that the PAR rating is 66 in the centre and 60 at the bottom of the tank. I'm dosing Thrive AIO 3x week and excel daily.

So! There you have it! Bring on the suggestions!

-T

 

[Aquaman145]

Also, I forgot to add, I was enamoured by the dutch style and was thinking of removing the hardscape and planting more stems, but this tank is fairly narrow (in terms of depth) and I'm not injecting CO2...so I was wondering if the dutch style would/could work or not...

 

[keithgh]

Aquaman

To be perfectly honest you have a nice looking 5gal tank, that is far from the Dutch Aquascaping Style.

My suggestions now would be as far as the Aquascaping, remove the large flat rock and scatter (not carefully placed) in the general area in front of the upright rock.

Planting have fun and experiment with low tech plants (do not require Co2)

Get a floating plant for the Betta as the moment he does not have any protection from the over head light.

Water changes how often and what percentage.

If you still want to do a Dutch Style start your research and keep plenty of notes and photos.

Keith

 

[Aquaman145]

Aquaman

To be perfectly honest you have a nice looking 5gal tank, that is far from the Dutch Aquascaping Style.

My suggestions now would be as far as the Aquascaping, remove the large flat rock and scatter (not carefully placed) in the general area in front of the upright rock.

Planting have fun and experiment with low tech plants (do not require Co2)

Get a floating plant for the Betta as the moment he does not have any protection from the over head light.

Water changes how often and what percentage.

If you still want to do a Dutch Style start your research and keep plenty of notes and photos.

Keith

Hi Keith,

Trust me, I'm well aware that this is nothing near a dutch style. I suppose my point was that I really like the dutch style, but realize that it probably isn't feasible in this size of tank. What do you mean by scatter the flat rock? I assume you mean the placement currently looks unnatural?

I'm currently doing 50% water changes once per week.

I wasn't aware that bettas are sensitive to light, I will look for a floater.

-T

 

[keithgh]

Aquaman

I really like the dutch style, but realize that it probably isn't feasible in this size of tank.

Why not have a look at these links.
https://www.theaquariumguide.com/articles/understanding-dutch-aquascaping-style

https://www.google.com/search?q=sma...gAhVIT30KHfAwDQoQ7Al6BAgEEA0&biw=1024&bih=526

What do you mean by scatter the flat rock? I assume you mean the placement currently looks unnatural?

Yes then press them into the substrate to finish them off.

I wasn't aware that bettas are sensitive to light, I will look for a floater.

I am far from a Betta expert I have had a few over the years and always noticed they spent most of their time in the floating plants. You might also notice they will start building a small nest. I also lost a few as they were jumpers.

I'm currently doing 50% water changes once per week.

I would recommend two 35/40% twice a week, you will notice the plants will improve.

Keith

 

[John Whatmough]

Sounds like your unsure of what next, check out Green Aqua YT channel for inspiration but I too would consider floating plants

 

[Aquaman145]

Thanks for all your insight! I'll keep this in mind, and do some more research.