JarrenB Posted April 22, 2009 Report Share Posted April 22, 2009 hi all, my 3 coldwater tanks (soon to be 4) are very boring looking with just gravel and fake plants, I figure that if there boring for me to look at they must be for the fish as well! 2 tanks have goldfish and one has some Zebra and Leopard danios. I think maybe some driftwood, rocks and live plants could look nice but don’t really know where to start! - the tanks at the National Aquarium with tree roots coming down look great, can this be achieved with smaller tanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave+Amy Posted April 22, 2009 Report Share Posted April 22, 2009 definately real plants would liven your tank up! tree root look is easy...but might lower your pH if you're not fussed take before and after photos! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JarrenB Posted April 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2009 I have began to upgrade tank 1, before Now yes ive added driftwood, live plants but I still have 2 more (soon 3) to upgrade so keep the ideas coming (I don't mind people PM'ing me but why not post it as it may help others out too!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deno Posted April 22, 2009 Report Share Posted April 22, 2009 you are right, it was dead boring. Starting to get some character to it now tho. I'd just add some interesting stones, rocks, small pieces of driftwood. Form some caves and get some bottom dwelling fish. Then you'll be satisfied for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JarrenB Posted April 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2009 Note: the goldfish in photo 1 have moved, the tank now has Zebra and Leopard danios and a Chinese algae eater. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caper Posted April 22, 2009 Report Share Posted April 22, 2009 Looking good I have no talent at all when it comes to aquascaping, I could use some lessons :lol: Caper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted April 22, 2009 Report Share Posted April 22, 2009 nice change jarrenb the drift wood is a nice shape in that tank by moving it slightly to one side will allow you to add some small rocks or a cave some small growing plants in the front will balance the plantings remember the plants will grow well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottie841 Posted April 22, 2009 Report Share Posted April 22, 2009 Have you thought of a ground cover plant? or moss for the log? I have seen some nice tanks that have grass on the bottom of them rather than bare gravel. I am trying to do the same at the momen and the fish love hiding in it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zev Posted April 24, 2009 Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 Looking good Jarren, if you want some moss let me know and I will give you some. When you post your images from Webshots, instead of posting the 100 pixel image, click on the 600 pixel option under where it says Link to this picture, then your images will come out this size: You do not need to add the Img tags to the pasted link either, they will work ok without them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JarrenB Posted April 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 hi, some moss would be good thanks will you bring it to the AGM? and does anyone have some tips on keeping plants looking good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zev Posted April 24, 2009 Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 Yup, you want any Crypts, they do well in cold water, but may not like your UGF - what about some Java fern? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JarrenB Posted April 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 Yes that sounds great, The more plants the better as I will have 4 tanks as of Wednesday Out of the 3 current tanks only one (the one above) has live plants. Also my tank that’s coming from Auckland on Wednesday is just that a “tank” it will have no gravel etc. what is the best form of substrate for plants to grow in. I am thinking of getting a better form of filtration but not sure what to get I did have a hang on the back filter but it pushed all the fish to the bottom (my brother has it now) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zev Posted April 24, 2009 Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 Substrate wise, I use gravel (don't tell anyone - but I get it from the beach, either Whirinaki or behind where we have our meetings). I have been using Dalton's Aquatic mix, but am going off that as it seems to contribute to algae problems a few years down the track. I am going to redo my 400mm cube with JBL Aquabasis Plus and see how that goes - it is currently a green algae wonderland at the moment... I use HOB filters on two of my two footers, they are fine, you can turn the pump speed down on the top, and if you have the water level up so that it is only about 10 - 15mm from the bottom of the waterfall bit, it doesn't seem to create such a current. I have both AquaClear and AquaOne, I prefer the AquaClear as it has a basket thing for the sponge and you can add more biological media (ceramic noodles) to it. The AquaOne has cartridge type filters, I only use the dacron type one, removed the carbon filled one and filled the back cavity of the filter with noodles. I will bring the plants to the AGM, how did you go with the Paradise fish from Woodville? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JarrenB Posted April 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2009 I'm waiting to hear from my grandma as she is going down that way next weekend, so I might be able to get her to pick them up for me then. otherwise I'll wait for Mark's daughter to come up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dantedobe Posted April 25, 2009 Report Share Posted April 25, 2009 Looking good I am being picky... can you change your spelling of Napier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JarrenB Posted April 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2009 done :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piggyvir Posted December 26, 2009 Report Share Posted December 26, 2009 but if you have goldfish, what sort of live plants can you keep? I have been buying so much plants and my fishy just keep on pulling them out.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted December 26, 2009 Report Share Posted December 26, 2009 but if you have goldfish, what sort of live plants can you keep? I have been buying so much plants and my fishy just keep on pulling them out.... japanese rush, blue hygrophillia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted December 26, 2009 Report Share Posted December 26, 2009 Anchor some Java fern to a rock so they can't remove it. I get oxygen weed from the local river and add that. It doesn't matter if the goldfish eat it, or uproot it as I go and get more - free! :bounce: Try establishing plants in pots first then transfer them to the goldfish tnak once their roots are established. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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