First time doing a planted tank

[sthh]

Hello, this is my first time setting up a planted tank. It's been nearly 2 months already, and what I did was just buying some plants i like and arranging them by height as foreground and background plants. Not much of a planning, so I will really need some constructive or destructive (if re-scaping is necessary) comments. Thank you

[Verminator]

No idea if the backing is an actualy wall, or backing paper, but i like it!

One thing to note is your lily's have reached the water surface. Which in true lily style means it technically "learns" this and new leaves will race to the surface of the water.

Other than that good mix of plants, just try not to let your plants overshadow your HG otherwise it may not thrive. Keep us updated.

[sthh]

Gosh, you mean the Lily is learning, and all future leaves will go for the water surface? Will cutting those surface leaves stop this learning process? I rather like the lily to stay submerged.

[naturalmystic]

Hi stth,

I'm not sure about the learning ability of the lily but I trimmed mine and now they are perfect for midground.
They stopped about 10cm from the water surface, providing excellent shade for my Cryptocorenes and Anubias.
Mine are Barclaya Longifolia, Nymphaea Lotus Red and Nymphaea Micrantha.

[Verminator]

Technically 'learning' is the wrong word yes, i didnt know what else to say.

But its a common factor with most lily's that once one leaf hits the surface the plant realises this and new leaves will, or technically should head straight for the surface too. If you see one of Jaws post's you'll se his lily did a similar thing.

I made it sound more drasric than it actually is, sorry. Its just more of a nuisance trying to keep the leaves mid level and away from the surface. In theory you've already got leaves that have hit the surface and even in your pix you can see the lower part of the plant has little leaf coverage, except new leaves which will soon rise up.

[sthh]

Snipped off 3 surface leaves from the lotus, and I notice that it has put out a runner! Now i have a smaller plant growing a few inches away. . Hopefully, no more leaves racing for the surface. I wonder why these lotus grow so quickly. A new leaf every few day. After 2 months, my cherry shrimps are much bigger and are venturing out of the thick clusters of Vals. This is getting exciting.

[rafimo]

read from a book somewhere., if u want the lotus to grow compact with all leaves submerged, cut off those leaves that reaching to the tank surface.

[fireblade]

not sure if I did the right thing but previously my lily grow till very big and some of the leaves reached the water surface, then during rescape, I removed the plant and put in another tank with not much light for a few days, then the big leaves started to "melt" after seeing this I was panicked and I quickly removed those "melted" plants and then replant it again, after few months, it still stay small... maybe nutrients not enough?

previously


now

[Verminator]

I've also experienced a similar thing, with crypts, vallis, and a few other plants. Once removed they've never grown back to full size. I guess its the shock and disturbance of the root network.

Mines been 2 years since i rescaped my tank in such a way, and still no 'big' growth? Hmmmm

[naturalmystic]

Hmm.. I am not sure if the moderators will frown upon this thread-hijacking. Just read about one this morning.
fireblade, I cannot see clearly from the picture but did you bury the bulb by accident in your panic state? If no, and since it is not growing well, maybe you can pull it out and trim the roots to stimulate growth?
I find that Crypts, when disturbed, will melt. However, new leaves will grow quickly once they have settled down.

[fireblade]

do they have bulb? mine only have roots I think..

[naturalmystic]

Hi fireblade,

Your Red Tiger Lotus has no bulb?
Mine is about 4cm in diameter.
I noticed that my Tiger Lily has no growth for 1 month too, untill I pulled out the bulb from the substrate.
Lesson learnt and applied to my other lotus.
I may be wrong and they could grow without bulbs; just wanting to share my limited experience.

[fireblade]

maybe mine is a small bulb?
humm....