I have a 25 gallon coldwater tank in which I have 3 rosy red minnows
and 3 tiny minnows of undetermined species from the river. I have
hornwort (also from the river last summer) and cabomba. I am looking
for other kinds of plants that would do ok in this setup. The rosy
reds are spawning and the babies will need lots of plants if they are
to survive being eaten. Besides, lots of plants look nice.

The hornwort is fine. The cabomba is also nice initially but I don't
think I have enough light for it. The tank is a Hagen kit that comes
with everything. I'm not sure of the wattage of the 1 flourescent bulb
but it doesn't seem as bright as my 10 gallon tank. Anyway, the
cabomba has grown long and spindly and the leaves on the bottoms of
the stems have all fallen off and made a dreadful mess.

You can see a picture of my tank when the plants were still bushy on
this page:
http://jumaka.com/aquarium/rosyreds.html

Any suggestions as to what I could try?

Judy (and the fish)

You have a really neat tank!

You probably have a 15 watt bulb over your 25 gallon tank, meaning you have
less than a watt per gallon.

I suspect lighting will be more of an issue for you than temperature. Java
moss might be a good choice. It doesn't need a lot of light, and it's a good
hiding place for fry. It can be kind of messy if you let it float around, so
you might want to tie it to rocks and/or driftwood. Tie it with black sewing
thread in a thin layer -- only one strand deep -- and it will quickly attach
itself.

Willow moss or Christmas moss would also be good, if you can find it. They are
"crisper" than java moss, and I find them less messy. They supposedly like
cool water.


Leigh

http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/halloween/881/

If you have the same starter kit that I bought (I also have a 25
gallon Hagen tank kit), your bulb is a 24" 20 watts bulb. So you're
under 1 watt per gallon right now.

So watch for plants with really low light need. Even Anubia nana
doesn't seem to be faring too well in my freshwater tank right now.
So I'm looking to buy another lighting system.

Try java moss, that seems to be doing not too bad in my setup. I
don't know how it will do in cold water, but I suspect it will do
fine, and it's thick enough for fry to hide in.

Hi Leigh,

Wow, I just visited your web site - fascinating! The more I see
planted tanks the more I get interested in them (I'm also a gardener).
Now I am thinking of getting a better lighting system. I should have
gone for the more expensive setup when I bought the tank a few months
ago... This aquarium "hobby" sure is addictive and expensive!

I'm also thinking about changing the substrate. The goldfish people
are all raving about sand but I'm going to look at the other
possibilities too.

At least in the summer the temperature of my tank will be fairly warm.
In the winter it stays about about 66 degrees F or so. I'll look for
some Java moss.

Should I be fertilizing my plants? I haven't done it so far.

I see another trip to Big Al's coming up

Judy

Wow, I just visited your web site - fascinating! The more I see
planted tanks the more I get interested in them (I'm also a gardener).
Now I am thinking of getting a better lighting system. I should have
gone for the more expensive setup when I bought the tank a few months
ago... This aquarium "hobby" sure is addictive and expensive!

Tell me about it! Cocaine would be cheaper.

I'm also thinking about changing the substrate. The goldfish people
are all raving about sand but I'm going to look at the other
possibilities too.

Goldfish people like sand because it's fine enough that it can't get stuck in
the goldfishes' mouths. Fine substrates are also good for plants, but they
aren't the only choice.

Should I be fertilizing my plants? I haven't done it so far.

With your lighting levels, you probably don't need to fertilize. Water changes
and fish food will provide enough nutrients. Frankly, I don't think the plants
you have will survive in such low lighting. And without adequate light,
fertilizer is a waste of money. There are plants that will grow in a low light
tank like yours, but you have to do your research and choose carefully. Most
of the plants sold in fish stores are either bog plants, or need more light
than the average tank can provide. They won't survive for more than a couple
of months after you take them home. (Some pet stores will even telll you that
they are "annuals" that are supposed to die regularly and be replaced!)

The plants you currently have may do better in your 10 gallon tank. Ten gallon
tanks have more watts per gallon than the average larger tank, and their short
height means the light is close to the plants. For your 25 gallon, look for
java fern, Bolbitis (African fern), and Anubias, as well as the mosses already
suggested. Cladophora "algae balls" will also do well in low light, and are a
cool novelty plant. (And don't worry, they won't take over the tank.)


Leigh

http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/halloween/881/

Judy, java Fern, java moss, anacharis, moneywort, creeping charlie are good
coldwater plants.
Wilma
"JudyK" wrote in message
om...
I have a 25 gallon coldwater tank in which I have 3 rosy red minnows
and 3 tiny minnows of undetermined species from the river. I have
hornwort (also from the river last summer) and cabomba. I am looking
for other kinds of plants that would do ok in this setup. The rosy
reds are spawning and the babies will need lots of plants if they are
to survive being eaten. Besides, lots of plants look nice.

The hornwort is fine. The cabomba is also nice initially but I don't
think I have enough light for it. The tank is a Hagen kit that comes
with everything. I'm not sure of the wattage of the 1 flourescent bulb
but it doesn't seem as bright as my 10 gallon tank. Anyway, the
cabomba has grown long and spindly and the leaves on the bottoms of
the stems have all fallen off and made a dreadful mess.

You can see a picture of my tank when the plants were still bushy on
this page:
http://jumaka.com/aquarium/rosyreds.html

Any suggestions as to what I could try?

Judy (and the fish)

a suggestion for a place for fry to hide... a small plastic strainer
turned upside down on the bottom of the tank with a rock on it to keep it
stationary. or a column of 'plastic canvas' (available at most
craft/sewing stores). get a sheet and just do a running stitch up the
side. the really small fry can swim in and out, but it's way too small
for bigger fish.

my two bits.
AcH.

JudyK wrote:

I have a 25 gallon coldwater tank in which I have 3 rosy red minnows
and 3 tiny minnows of undetermined species from the river. I have
hornwort (also from the river last summer) and cabomba. I am looking
for other kinds of plants that would do ok in this setup. The rosy
reds are spawning and the babies will need lots of plants if they are
to survive being eaten. Besides, lots of plants look nice.

The hornwort is fine. The cabomba is also nice initially but I don't
think I have enough light for it. The tank is a Hagen kit that comes
with everything. I'm not sure of the wattage of the 1 flourescent bulb
but it doesn't seem as bright as my 10 gallon tank. Anyway, the
cabomba has grown long and spindly and the leaves on the bottoms of
the stems have all fallen off and made a dreadful mess.

You can see a picture of my tank when the plants were still bushy on
this page:
http://jumaka.com/aquarium/rosyreds.html

Any suggestions as to what I could try?

Judy (and the fish)

(JudyK) wrote in message . com...
I have a 25 gallon coldwater tank in which I have 3 rosy red minnows
and 3 tiny minnows of undetermined species from the river. I have
hornwort (also from the river last summer) and cabomba. I am looking
for other kinds of plants that would do ok in this setup. The rosy
reds are spawning and the babies will need lots of plants if they are
to survive being eaten. Besides, lots of plants look nice.

The hornwort is fine. The cabomba is also nice initially but I don't
think I have enough light for it. The tank is a Hagen kit that comes
with everything. I'm not sure of the wattage of the 1 flourescent bulb
but it doesn't seem as bright as my 10 gallon tank. Anyway, the
cabomba has grown long and spindly and the leaves on the bottoms of
the stems have all fallen off and made a dreadful mess.

You can see a picture of my tank when the plants were still bushy on
this page:
http://jumaka.com/aquarium/rosyreds.html


If the water is 60F or above, you can grow most any plant you want. A
few rare crypts might not do well, but 99% of the plants sold will.

Regards,
Tom Barr
Any suggestions as to what I could try?

Judy (and the fish)