FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Theresa,

Can you specify what you mean by "... but it's not doing well at all "? That could give us some idea where a problem may be (ferts, light, or something).

Personally, I think Wendtii leaves will be too big for the tank, and so will a regular sized Nana. Your small one may be nice, but over time it will grow as well. Nana Petite is really nice, but $$$ and you would need a few to make an impact.

I would say that, if your light is not an issue, then Amano Pearl Grass could work very well. And I would also not remove the wood, it looks very nice.

Awaiting the Glosso info,

Ingo

---

Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Ok here are a few pics I just took; remember though that it's tank cleaning day so be kind







I would best describe the plants as not having good color, and many leaves that appear to be thin and browing which I assume means they're dying? I'm afraid if I try to pull those particular stems-even with tweezers-that I'll end up pulling healthy parts of the plants as well.

The tank light is on ~10 hours a day. It's also located near a curtained window which I can utilize if necessary.



~~~~~~~~~~~~
There is water at the bottom of the ocean

Theresa,

I cannot really tell from the pictures (and I am not a Glosso expert per say either) but it appears as if there is some brown algae (diatoms) mixed in with the plants. That is not bad and will go away eventually, but it doesn't help with light reaching the Glosso either.

I got serious yellowing of leaves on my Glosso when it grew too thick and I am assuming you have a similar issue. Your growth form is vertical which happens when there is not enough light (or space, maybe as well) to grow flat. And when there are too many stems too close to each other then a light source that may be strong enough for a single layer could be not enough for depth penetration and as such the lower parts of the stems start to die. I believe you received it already this way, right?

Maybe one option would be to try to lay a few of these stems flat on the ground (you can hold it down with a piece of gravel) and see if it starts to creep along the substrate.

I have to say that I don't know if this works as I removed my Glosso once it was 5 layers deep and various ends started to grow up in the fashion you have yours now.

Hope this helps a little,

Ingo

---

Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

With a plant that spreads the way glosso does you're not going to see its true form until it starts propigating itself. Is it possible that this is just emersed growth? Even if it isn't grown this way. often the original plant piece you bought will die off anyway and be replaced by new growth.

Personally I've never seen such tall glosso, that's what I thought when you planted it. I figured it had to be just an unusual growth form. To keep it as low as we picture it in our heads, especially on a small tank, a light upgrade may be required.

---

Back in the saddle!

I guess it's time for an update on this tank...

I got very frustrated with the glosso so that went and now it's a java fern-only tank.

The plants are growing quite well, I've had to move some to another tank because the poor betta was running out of open swim space.

Here is a recent photo of the tank. Any suggestions on changes?

And is there any way I can encourage upwards growth of the java fern?

Thanks



Attached Image:


~~~~~~~~~~~~
There is water at the bottom of the ocean

Excellent Theresa, really really great job

Looks like what's been going on in my 4G

IME java fern kind of does what it wants. Brighter light and more open space may encourage it to grow larger, but I think it looks fantastic as is. If it grew any further vertically I don't think your betta would have much room to swim.

And kudos on changing out the glosso. For this tank it didnt seem like the right plant for the job. The java layout has turned out very well.

---

Back in the saddle!

So.............. that's java fern! Looks good, so bright & green!

Do you think it needs a background?

Did a bit of cleaning and thinning today so here's a quick shot:



Attached Image:


~~~~~~~~~~~~
There is water at the bottom of the ocean

Wow, that looks great Theresa. I agree that if you got the java fern to grow taller it wouldn't look as good.

I think it would look great with a solid color background on there.

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Any thoughts about background color? I think it needs one but I'm concerned about making the tank too dark.



~~~~~~~~~~~~
There is water at the bottom of the ocean

I actually think it looks great without a background. If you want something light, any color poster board will do.

If I were you I'd stick to something white/ off-white. Black would lessen the contrast of the driftwood and the leaves, and I'm not crazy about blue under any circumstance but that's just me

---

Back in the saddle!

Very nice little tank ! It will be interesting to see this grow out, especially when more plants are added.

Hahaha you gave in and got some moss



The Amazon Nut...

Thats a really nice home you've made for your betta. Regarding background, I always prefer one and I always prefer black. I never think a black background makes a tank too dark - rather, I think it brings out the colours of your fish & plants.

Very nice job Theresa

Cheers
TW

Quick shot with the background...I found some left-over from another tank, just a neutral rock-pattern.

Attached Image:


~~~~~~~~~~~~
There is water at the bottom of the ocean

Theresa_M,

This is a very beautiful betta tank. I believe the rock background is perfect for that aquarium. The plants contrast with it so well.

JBE

Theresa_M,

Have you thought of a white background? The rock seems so dark and the wood just disappears. The java ferns seem to float on the wall.

I like the shots of the tank without the background as you can see the wood and plants real well. If you had a white background you could see everything nicely with out the cords and filter showing. Maybe you could use a piece of poster board?

The tank looks very healthy and am sure the Betta is loving his place.


Rick
See all my pictures at Google Web Albums

Well I did some changes again....

I ended up taking out the wood to use in my 30g and added a different piece. I think it opens up the tank a bit more

The betta got some new tankmates today, very small rasboras. I dropped in some floating anacharis to give them additional hiding places. Hopefully he'll get used to the new fish and I can take it out.

I'm not sure what I want to do with the wood though. It already has a small piece of java fern attached but that can be removed. I got a small bunch of java moss today that I kind of stuck in the middle hole. I'm thinking of attaching it to the wood, but not exactly sure where...just on top, in the holes, all over?





Attached Image:


~~~~~~~~~~~~
There is water at the bottom of the ocean

Quick shot taken after water change today. Yes I've been re-arranging again...



Attached Image:


~~~~~~~~~~~~
There is water at the bottom of the ocean

I really like the tank as you had it setup just prior to this latest photo. Made the appearance of the tank larger than it is. Nice job.

Jim

---

Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody. -- Mark Twain

I really like the tank as you had it setup just prior to this latest photo.

I agree, that shot looks really good. I'm gonna do a 5g like this one of these days with a betta and a couple ADF's so I'll probably steal some of your ideas.

Also, I looked at the first few posts of this thread and you didn't mention anything about a heater and I don't see one in the pictures either. Are you not using one?

Still experimenting

Attached Image:


~~~~~~~~~~~~
There is water at the bottom of the ocean