Matt's 450

[Stephen]

I like the little Ember tetra, adds a nice splash of red.

That plant is one of the Echinodorus species and probably Echinodorus bleheri (Amazon Sword).

[SomersetMatt]

Fantastic, thanks for that. I wanted something that would grow tall and reach the surface.

[SomersetMatt]

So here's a current pic of my tank as of this morning. My hope is that the sword's will grow nice and tall and provide some surface cover. In the meantime I'm keen to find something that will provide a carpeting-like effect in the foreground. Any ideas welcomed as I'm pretty clueless when it comes to plants. Thanks.

[PJN]

That looks really nice! How about some dwarf hairgrass, or a variety of glossostigma?

[SomersetMatt]

Will they stay quite short, but spread like a carpet?

[SomersetMatt]

I've seen a beautiful Magnum Plec in my LFS.
It's rather pricey though. I'm also not sure how I feel about keeping Pleco's in an aquarium due to there large size.
Does anyone have any experience with these fish?

[Gingerlove05]

I dont have any experience with a magnum pleco. They get to around 8inches which in a 450l aquarium shouldnt be too big. I have a BN pleco, shes around 4/5inches in a 180l, shes a bit of a dozer with some new plants but no other issues.
There are a huge number of pleco species, all varying in size, diet and temp/water compatibility depending on where they originate

[SomersetMatt]

Thanks gingerlove, 8 inches isnto too big actually.
I may have to think about this, only trouble is he was priced at £50!

[Stephen]

[quote=SomersetMatt]
I've seen a beautiful Magnum Plec in my LFS.
It's rather pricey though. I'm also not sure how I feel about keeping Pleco's in an aquarium due to there large size.
Does anyone have any experience with these fish?
[/quote]

They require quite warm water 27-30C and won't do well in cooler water.

Hope it helps

[Stephen]

The Bristlenose, however, is fine at 22/23C