My very first foray into planted aquariums

**copperband** · 7th Mar 2013, 17:57

Hi everyone,

This is the very first planted setup that I have ever done and I know it looks kind of messy. I would like to hear any kind of comments you guys here have on how I can improve this setup.

I set this tank up exactly 2 weeks and 2 days ago on 19th February.

Size: 2 feet
Lighting: Aquazonic 2 x 24w T5 12000k
Filtration: Eheim Ecco 200
Substrate: ADA Amazonia

Flora:
Frogbits, Water Wisteria, Cabomba Furcata Cabomba Carolianiana, Rotala najean, Hornwort, Anubias Nana, Glossostigma Elatinoides, Riccia Fluitans, Hairgrass and another 2 unknown species on the lower left side of the tank.

This was initially meant to be a low tech non CO2 setup. I tied the riccia onto a bonsai DW bought from GC 2 years ago.

3 days after setup(22 Feb):
Attachment 34782

How it looked 6 days after setup(27 Feb):
Attachment 34776

However, inquisitive me wanted to know how the tank would really fare with some CO2 added.
Therefore, I tried my hand at DIY CO2 and added it in 4 days ago over the weekend.

Now the tank in its current status 2 weeks later:

The plants have really grown alot and I'm really surprised by their speed of growth.
Of course I know I still have lots to learn in terms of aquascaping.

Would appreciate any comments

**milk_vanilla** · 8th Mar 2013, 10:06

spread the glosso to the left front corner would be nice.

**inrewind** · 21st Mar 2013, 09:10

How's the glosso doing? I am planning to use glosso for my next scape.

**Regis** · 21st Mar 2013, 15:50

Nice setup! Too bad my glosso keep growing upwards.....

**copperband** · 23rd Mar 2013, 17:28

inrewind,

The glosso's doing fine with 2 x 24w T5 alright!

Regis,
I don't face this issue of glosso growing upwards though. It has been creeping nicely along my substrate.

Here's a picture of it on 5 March with my haphazard planting of clumps onto the soil..

Here's a picture taken on 21st March. The difference is obvious!