I gave up battling BBA on my driftwood and took it out. Tank now BBA free but looks sparse (to me!) plant wise. Thinking of getting an XL plant from Aquarium Gardens or Aqua Essentials but not sure if they last well when submerged. Anyone got experience?
Anyone used XL / mother plants?
- Pleco Fan
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Your tank does look sparse, I'm in the exact same situation with a few plants except now I have added rocks and wood, I have no idea what an XL plant is?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPNgNCFae1s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPNgNCFae1s
- lunar jetman
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Aquarium Gardens sell mother/XL plants which are just larger versions of the particular species. Most ‘normail’ plants are cuttings or smaller plants that will take some time to grow in and get bigger. The mother/XL plants are fully rooted and much bigger. They’re more mature plants so cost more.
I guess it’s the difference of buying a sapling from a garden centre or a 6ft tree.
I guess it’s the difference of buying a sapling from a garden centre or a 6ft tree.
311l 48x18x22
- lunar jetman
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An honest observation?
The plants look nice and green, but I wonder if the big plant at the back left (not quite sure what it is so won't guess) wouldn't look better more centralised so there was some balance to the tank. It draws my eye to it as its quite big and imposing in your tank so if it were more central it might look more even.
Just my opinion of course.
311l 48x18x22
- plankton
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I actually like it to one side, it fits with the planting/decoration in thirds of the tank.
And it gives the hatchets more room to swim.
And it gives the hatchets more room to swim.
- lunar jetman
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Fair point
I would then suggest something a little shorter next to it so that there is a gradual slope in plants from one side to the other
311l 48x18x22
- Ric
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Lovely looking tank. Adding back the wood and rocks has already made a big difference.
I would leave the big echinodorus plant where it is. Also seems you have some hygrophila stems on the right hand side? If so, they'll grow up soon enough to provide some height there.
I would leave the big echinodorus plant where it is. Also seems you have some hygrophila stems on the right hand side? If so, they'll grow up soon enough to provide some height there.
- Suse
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Thanks all! Yeah it does look much better with the wood back, have halved the light intensity and increased CO2 so will hopefully stop BBA returning.
The big plant is my monster Amazon sword (E.Bleheri), it grew from a tiny thing. I know it is s bit overpowering but the fish love it Have shuffled things around, will take a photo later when lights on. Ric yep that's Hygrophila siamensis 53b, seems to be growing up so will hopefully fill that corner.
The big plant is my monster Amazon sword (E.Bleheri), it grew from a tiny thing. I know it is s bit overpowering but the fish love it Have shuffled things around, will take a photo later when lights on. Ric yep that's Hygrophila siamensis 53b, seems to be growing up so will hopefully fill that corner.