30gal stocking

[Nic W]

yeah thats what I was thinking
I had actualy planned on getting the driftwood first befor anything since itll probably be one of the most pricy things... Im really likeing those little boraras... I was also thinking maybe RCS to play amoungst the forest below... I could probably get maybe 10 from Tadege on AquaBid and have a million before long... Im really liking the idea of this tank... Im over the community aspect of fishkeeping... I want something nice to look at thats not so fussy. just tranquil and nice to look at.

[Nic W]

You know I was thinking riccia, or some other type pf moss... thinking of doing a moss mesh.... taking 2 pieces of mesh (or one piece of mesh and one piece of net) and sandwiching the riccia, moss, etc etc in between to get a carpet, then planting my driftwood... so really, there wont be any substrate at all in the tank... heres what Im thinking...



can anyone tell me what the plant is on the driftwood in this pic?

Ive read that shrimp like to devour riccia and other mosses? should I rethink putting RCS in this tank?

**edit**
I will also be painting the back and both sides of the tank black to enhance the colors of the plants and fish.

[Ppulcher]

Looks like Java fern (Microsorum pteropus) on the driftwood.  It's an old standby and pretty easy to grow.

[Nic W]

I thought it looked like java fern... not sure how that would work in my tank though... might get a little too tall... and also, is that hair grass in the back left corner?

[Yipee]

Ya that's hairgrass. The Java Fern kinda looks strange though. Never saw them grouped like this, kinda like a blooming flower. Shrimps don't devour riccia and moss, just the infusoria on them. If you're thinking a tank like that but with more driftwood, I absolutely love it. Well there is another form of Java Fern that will look great. The tip of the leaf is separated. Can't find a picture of it though.

<EDIT> Found a pic

[Ppulcher]

The java fern in your photo is the 'Windeløv' variety.  I don't know which variety is shown in the tank photo with the discus.  There are all kinds of different looking one.

[Nic W]

hmm Im not sure... are there any other types of plants that will work with being attached to the driftwood like that?
prefferably something that stayed low and bushy?

*edit*

Im still thinking of what fauna I want in this tank... Im rather becoming smitten with those discus... but, if they ever do go in, thatll be forever and a day down the road.

so far Im thinking roughly 25 or 30 of one of the following;
neon tetras or cardinal tetras
or 35 - 40 of these;
boraras mera, or boraras brigittae

roughly maybe 50 RCS or so... what do we think? maybe add in a few ottos just for good measure

[Ppulcher]

Anubias will grow attached to the wood with a little help from some thread.  It grows quite slow, and isn't really bushy per se, but looks nice.

[Yipee]

Anubias Leaves grow very big, try dwarf anubias. Some moss might also look great on the driftwood.

[Nic W]

I was thinking moss, but I didnt want to overdo it since the entire bottom of the tank will be moss...
maybe riccia for the carpet and christmas or taiwan for the driftwood? i need something thall look for substantial, and maybe even do that hair grass in the back for a back drop, or maybe only in the corners... hmm idk... lets keep going.