20H – Low Light Update
February 11th, 2008I’ve largely neglected my 20H for some time. At first, I had 55W over this tank, and was constantly frustrated with algae problems. Eventually, I got sick of it, and went with a 15W fluorescent strip light over instead. Since then, the algae has been dying back, but I’ve been surprised by some of the plants that have hung on.
The Ranalisma rostrata has kept growing, albeit differently, the bolbitus has grown leaps and bounds, and my crypts have done just fine. Most surprising is the Eriocaulaceae sp. ‘Type 2? that’s continued to grow despite the awful light. Inspired by this, last weekend I pulled a few more crypts/anubias from my 54G corner tank, and filled in some of the gaps in the layout. The picture above is the result of that effort.
This isn’t a typical aquascape, but somehow it looks more natural to me then some of the others. The Jewels seem to be right at home with the plants. I’d love to hear any comments you might have on the scape.
February 12th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
I like it, and that driftwood is just beautiful! And I love all your pictures of the area. I grew up in Howard Co in the 70’s, Clarksville to be exact, before it was built up. I haven’t been there in 30 years, but I see it on Google Earth and I’m amazed the farm I lived on is still there, even more amazed that the fields near it are still fields. However the land across the road is all houses.
February 12th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Thanks for your comment! The wood is a large piece of manzanita from manzanita.com. It’s great wood!
I’m very familiar with the Clarksville area. Unfortunately, I imagine many of those fields will continue to be developed over the next couple of years, as more and more folks move into the area for the military base realignment. I hope they leave some trees around.
February 13th, 2008 at 12:24 am
I love the flow this tank has, aesthetically speaking. If it hasn’t won awards, I’d be surprised. And it does look very natural. Awesome work!
Wish I had the patience and time for live plants.. =P School is full-time, though, so that isn’t possible right now.
February 13th, 2008 at 6:50 am
That’s very nice to say, Rami! I haven’t entered it into any contests, but perhaps I will if it’s grows in a little bit more. In truth, you might be able to get away it a tank like this, if you have enough time to do a partial water change once every 3-4 weeks. Generally speaking, the nice thing about low light plants/tanks is that they require less continual maintenance then the high light/fast growing ones.
February 16th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
I look forward to seeing it when it’s a proven winner! ;D It’s very beautiful.
I would love to, and I intend to try to make a live-plant aquarium but likely not ’til summer rolls around. Maybe that’s when I’ll get some gouramis again, since they do well in planted tanks. I’ve got a 2.5 gallon, a 3.5 gallon, and a 5.5 gallon tank aside from some big betta jars. I have one living plant, a lonely little bamboo my friend didn’t want, and it’s doing alright in the 3.5.
February 16th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Gouramis are great fish. I really liked the Honey Gouramis when I had them about 5 years ago. They stay smaller, and are a really nice honey color. (hence the name) You’ve got plenty of tanks you can cram plants into. 😉
February 20th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
I’ve had croaking, lavender/gold/platinum/opal, moonlight, pearl, and powder gouramis. Haven’t tried Honeys, but there’s a couple of batches in the area now I could purchase from that weren’t there before. I’m an anabantoid freak. =P
As far as small-tank, low-light/maintenance plants go, what would you suggest for a beginner like me?
February 21st, 2008 at 6:54 am
Rami, for low-light plants, the types to start with are Java Fern, Anubias, most crypts, and bolbitus. There are multiple varieties of these, so you have lots of choices.
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:57 pm
^^ Thank you for the information.
March 5th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
Hey, I went out and picked up a pair of honey gouramis. C: They get along great with my Dwarf Gourami.
Picture of my new honeys: http://scaredycat.deviantart.com/art/Honey-Gouramis-78880264
March 5th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
That’s great, and a nice picture! I hope you enjoy the new fish. Thanks for sharing!
December 5th, 2011 at 9:22 pm
Where did you get the Drift Wood??? Also where did you get the Drift Wood???
December 6th, 2011 at 7:53 am
This wood is manzanita. There are several places to get it, but I recommend manzanita.com.
December 7th, 2011 at 8:48 pm
ok thanks:)