Roy's Low Tech Planted 10 Gallon Journal

[LuminousAphid]

Re: Roy's Low Tech Planted 10 Gallon Journal

Looking good, things are really starting to fill in! Is the stem plant on the left some kind of Moneywort? I got some stuff that looks really similar to that from Cory, but I'm still unsure what mine is. I really like those little lettuce-looking guys, do they stay small like that or do they eventually get bigger?

I think I also got same P. erectus from Cory, but those didn't do well at all in my setup, the lower leaves kept turning brown and falling off, while the top leaves just kept getting algae all over them. This could also be that my tank wasn't fully established yet, and also I didn't know what I was doing.

I'm really surprised that you didn't have any crypt melt, were those grown emersed as well? I had my crypt 'red' melt almost completely when I first got it

 

[Seattle_Aquarist]

Re: Roy's Low Tech Planted 10 Gallon Journal

Hi LuminousAphid,

The stem plant on the left (in the rear) is a Limnophila species I have not seen fully defined. You will find it listed on the plant forums as Limnophila sp 'Wavy' or Limnophila aromatica or in the Asian market as Ra Om! LOL

The plant on the right far right with the roundish leaves is Nymphoides sp. 'Taiwan'.

 

[LuminousAphid]

Re: Roy's Low Tech Planted 10 Gallon Journal

Rotala 'Bangladesh' mostly dormant buds

I was meaning the ones on the left in this picture, in the back. With the little round/ovoid leaves coming off the stem. I have something that looks like that, but don't know what it is.

I looked back through your post and it seems it's "Cuphea anagalloidea" I was wondering about. The stuff I have is starting to turn a little red on the top leaves, could this be what I have? I will get a pic next time I have the camera out.

Either way, your tank looks fantastic! Sorry to de-rail the thread

 

[Anonymous]

Re: Roy's Low Tech Planted 10 Gallon Journal

Rotala 'Bangladesh' buds showing new growth

Hey roy. These plants you gave me from emersed state to submerged state, are starting to look this. But seeing some growth. Cant wait to see them like yours and spread (me propagating them). Thanks again, roy.

 

[Anthony J.]

Re: Roy's Low Tech Planted 10 Gallon Journal

Very nice Roy, I may have to try that pygmy chain in my low tech. If you do not mind me asking, where is a good place to buy plants that do not gave snails? Every planted tank I have done, aside from the newest one in my avatar, has ended up with snails, and as I try new plants, I would love to avoid them. I wish I could just get 1or2 stems of 20 species, and just see what does well in my tank and go from there.

 

[Anonymous]

Re: Roy's Low Tech Planted 10 Gallon Journal

Anthony J. If you buy a few assassin snails or pea puffers it will take care the snail problem. Pea puffers dont mess with large snails like mystery snails or nerite snails but assasins will.

 

[Anthony J.]

Re: Roy's Low Tech Planted 10 Gallon Journal

I would just prefer to not get any, I have had both assassin snails and pea puffers, but again I would rather avoid them all together.

 

[Seattle_Aquarist]

Re: Roy's Low Tech Planted 10 Gallon Journal

@SirWesDragon, give it some time and they should respond well!

@Anthony J. +1 for SirWesDragon's comments or buy plants from individuals that don't have snails; there are a couple of GSAS members with snail-free tanks. When I receive plants from an 'unknown' source I soak the plants in a solution of 1 quart of water with 6 drops of Seachem Cupramine. This kills all of the adult and baby snails; I leave the plants in the solution (under lights) for about 3 weeks (depending upon temperature) to make sure any snail eggs have hatched and the baby snails have died. If I see any snails moving I treat again and wait a couple more weeks.

 

[Anthony J.]

Re: Roy's Low Tech Planted 10 Gallon Journal

Thanks Roy, I will look into the product. I am soon to try some crypts, but was afraid if I treated with anything, the crypts would melt. Have you tried this with them? I just know they are extremely sensitive when not established.

 

[Seattle_Aquarist]

Re: Roy's Low Tech Planted 10 Gallon Journal

Hi All,

10/3/13 Day 60

It's been a month since the last update and the tank has been set-up 9 weeks.  The Pogostemon erectus has grown to the surface and Rotala sp 'Bengladesh' as grown to the top once, been trimmed and the tops re-planted and are again up to the surface.  The Pogostemon helferi (Downoi) are doing well, no longer losing leave and the side shoots are growing well.  The Helanthium tenellum (Echinodorus tenellus/Pygmy Chain Sword) is spreading rapidly sending out runners throughout the tank; many of the plantlets are ready for thinning so I will probably bring some to the GSAS auction after the meeting on Tuesday.  I continue to trim multiple leaves off of the Nymphoides sp. 'Taiwan' every week.  The Eleocharis (tall hairgrass) continues to grow, with larger crown areas and plantlets forming on the runners. The only plant that seems to be stagnant and not doing anything is the Cuphea anagalloidea. It's not dying but not really growing either. I will take water parameters this week on all my tanks and maybe it will give me a hint.

10 gallon low tech at 9 weeks

Pogostemon helferi (Downoi) with sideshoots!

 

[Anonymous]

Re: Roy's Low Tech Planted 10 Gallon Journal

Looking great. Especially the plants Rotala sp 'Bengladesh and Pogostemon helferi are looking great. My Rotala sp 'Bengladesh you gave me is starting to look good and roots are coming out of the sides to cut and replant. :spoton: 

 

[Anthony J.]

Re: Roy's Low Tech Planted 10 Gallon Journal

Looks awesome, thanks for the inspiration to step outside of the java, anubias low tech box.

 

[Seattle_Aquarist]

Re: Roy's Low Tech Planted 10 Gallon Journal

@SiRWesDragon - Glad to hear that the plants you picked up are doing well!

@Anthony J. - Good for you breaking out of that rut; there are so many plants to try out there!

 

[Seattle_Aquarist]

Re: Roy's Low Tech Planted 10 Gallon Journal

Hi All,

10/17/13 Day 74

I have trimmed and replanted the Rotala 'Bangladesh' in the center and the Helanthium tenellum (Echinodorus tenellus/Pygmy Chain Sword) continues to send out more and more runners. The Pogostemon erectus in the left corner has reached the surface and it continues to grow denser at the base with more branching. What I really like is the P. erectus has not lost any lower leaves even in this low light environment.

10 gallon low tech at 11 weeks

 

[Anthony J.]

Re: Roy's Low Tech Planted 10 Gallon Journal

Looks so good Roy, don't know how I missed this update, and its a month old. I'm digging the P. Erectus. Im work8ng with rotala walichii right now, I really like this leaf shape. I cannot tell from the picture, does the erectus produce side shoots? Looking forward to the next update.

 

[Chiisai]

Re: Roy's Low Tech Planted 10 Gallon Journal

You said you fertilize with phosphorus. Do you experience algae plumes?

 

[Chiisai]

Re: Roy's Low Tech Planted 10 Gallon Journal

Seattle_Aquarist can we get update on the tank? Very curious to see what it looks like now. Especailly curious to see the progress of the helferi. You didnt do any CO2 injection right?