Plant ID etc

[cherabin]

Good day to all fellow forummers. I had just started adding some plants into my 4 x 1.5 x 1.5 in the hope of beautifying it. Attached below is a shot of the corner of the tank:



Java moss is being tied to the driftwood. But need to seek the advice on what the other 2 plants are? A fellow hobbyist suggested that the plant to the immediate back of the moss is Barcopa caroliniana (did a search on the plants database base here and do agree that this should be the plant ID). However i need a positive ID of the plant behind...it's either Echinodorus bleheri or Cryptocoryne pontederiifolia or something else?

Currently my tank is only under a 30W FL light...is this consider enough for the 3 plants? (could change my 2nd pink tube to a white one, making it 2 x 30W) No CO2 and fertiliser is added to the tank.

Many thanks in advance.

[www.Aquatic-Store.com]

its hard to tell from the pic but my crypt pondterfolia doesnt look like that as there is no crinkle in the leaves

[budak]

The plant's a Spathyphyllum, which is NOT an aquatic species.

For a tank of your size, most people will have at least 60W (if not using CO2) or up to 144 W or more of lighting. But if you are not using CO2 or adding fert, stick to growing less demanding, low-light plants like crypts, ferns, mosses, anubias, Hygrophilas, echinodorus, sagitarria.... bacopas prefer high light.

Please do read the Aquatic FAQs and planted tank FAQs/articles on AQ if you wish to learn more about growing plants.

[cherabin]

Many thanks to all the feedback. Had done as recommended, reading through the FAQs and also the flora database regarding the list of recommended plants.

Had shortlisted the following plants for my tank:

Background - Anubias gigantea
Middleground - Hygrophilia difformis
Foreground - Erect Moss floor

As stated earlier, here are my tank specifications:

Dimension - 4' x 1.5' x 1.5'
CO2 - NIL
Fertiliser - A small dosage of either liquid or root monster in the future
Substrate - No base fert, black gravel
Light - Changing to a 2 x 36W PL

Hope it is not a tall order but any problems that can be foreseen?

Understands that Teo's farm has quite a good customer rapport and hence would most probably visit his place soon. Will i be able to enquire about the plants by giving just their scientific names as of above? Or are there any common names that would be more recognisable?

[budak]

Don't restrict yourself to just a few species. There are several varieties/species of Anubias (gigantea is actually not that common compared to barteri and nana) and mosses. Hygrophila difformis is a bit more demanding in terms of light.... I find H. stricta or polysperma do better in medium low light (30W is too little for them too, the 36W x 2 might be better)

If you are not using Co2, DO NOT add liquid or root fert at all....

Teo will have the good Oriental farm and Tropica plant catalogues at the farm and you can point out from the books which plants you are looking for.

[cherabin]

Made a trip down to Teo's this afternoon with my good pal, really fanscinated by the gorgeous plants and the great hospitality.

Purchased a DW with windelov and also some wendtii for my foreground. Also bought an anubias species for my background but pretty unsure of it's exact kind, here's a picture of it:



A shot of my tank after adding the plants:

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[cherabin]

An update on my 4' low-tech:

kH: 5
gH: 8

Fauna has been altered to 2 x Hampala Barbs, 1 x Tengas and 1 x Tarpon.

Some brown spots are appearing on my anubias which seems to slowly go away as i reduce the photo period. Any advice on this symptom?

My cyrpts were initially melting away but as of now, seems that they are stabilising.

I'm planning to add some trace elements into my tank. Specifically i am intending to purchase Seachem Flourish Trace. Will this be a good idea?