Sourced some exotic plants and rescaped my tank

Ultimately got some exotic plants........

Sourced from KA friends Avik and Abhirup. They were kind to share their stuff they ordered Rocky.

Now I had to change my scape. What I noticed, due to heavy growth of so many plants, many plants are not getting sufficient lights. Aponogetons are floating here and there on the surface and are growing like mad. base of the crowded plants are dirty! I have to do something...

Scape before I decided to change

Here are the plants I got........

Ammania Senegalensis



Ludwigia inclinata Var. Cuba before planting



Mayaca Fluviatilis ready for planting

I grouped the plants nicely Bacopa at one place, Ludwigia Repens on the right corner. I made the left side of the tank clean and made space for more Hemianthus Callitrichoides. Hemianthus micranthemoides were at the back I brought them in midground.

How Ludwigia inclinata looked just after planting and the relocated Hemianthus micranthemoides

Space are made for Hemianthus Callitrichoides

Ammania Senegalnesis after planting

Mayaca fluviatilis after planting


My tank has now two front sides!

My tank is now loooking much lighter. I am enjoying the changes in the new plants.

Ammania Senegalnesis was all green is rapidly changiing its color to pink. Mayaca fluviatilis though seem not very happy but have some new leaves to show its life. Ludwigia inclinata, though not dead but are still sleeping! I don't know what will happen to them!

Ammania Senegalnesis turning pink

New leaves on Mayaca fluviatilis

Still sleeping Ludwigia inclinata

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My planted jungle in my drawing room is 3 weeks old now!

Close up shot of the center of the tank

My journey till today was thrilling. My 30 Gallon planted tank is 3 weeks old. Frankly speaking I was hesitant about investing much money in this. But after looking at its beauty I cannot but decide to invest the basic things which is needed for this beautiful live show piece.

Beautiful live show piece

I bought a Co2 cylinder, a must if you are serious about your planted tank. I am not saying that planted tank is not possible with it; but if you want fast growth and want to see the magic and feel the thrill - this is a must. Plants will show you they are live and enjoying their stay in your aquarium.

2 Kg Co2 Cylinder with regulator and needle valve

I started macro and micro dosing using KNO3 and CSM +B respectively along with 3 bps Co2 injection. Light period is 8 hours @ 3Watt per Gallon.

For the foreground, I am lucky to get some bunches of HC Hemianthus callitrichoides "Cuba
from Amitava. So cute these plants are! They are the smallest leaved step plant in the world.
I planted them keeping my fingers crossed. But this time I am again lucky. They are doing great in my tank.

HC s are planted in the foreground

All my plants are happy with the feast of Co2 and the whole tank start fizzing after an hour of lighting like champagne bottle!

Plants are feasting on Co2

After 5 days of planting I noticed some changes in the HCs They are spreading their roots. Showing the sign of lives in them. I am just waiting to see when they fill the whole foreground.

HC s are spreading their roots and breathing

I didn't lose a single twig of delicate HC in the process. Now it is so nice to see the smallest twig is pearling happily!

Smallest HC is pearling!

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Day 15 of my planted jungle

Two weeks have passed. So far, so good!

I have crystal clear water, Luxurious green growth of plants, no algae, Fishes are happy and so am I. DiY Co2 woked fine for 2 long weeks and I started a new bottle on day 14; which is also working fine.



I added few Guppies to my tank, as I didn't find any good fish in LFS. Guppies are not good for a tank. Though they are colorful and don't disturb others; but are very unruly! They move haphazardly and don't shoal! They don't beautify your tank.



I removed them today and added a dozen of Hockey sticks. They are also known as Penguin fishes, the scientific name being Thayeria boehlkei. Though I have to remove them later when I will add neon or, cardinal tetras. Read about these fishes in this link



Got a big bunch of HC (Hemianthus Callitrichoides) for my foreground as gift grom Amitava. Hope I can keep them. Really tiny and beatiful leaves they have.

Shameek gifted moss and a midground stem plant...sorrry forgot the name.

Thanks to Amitava..for reminding the name Hemianthus Micranthemoides or, pearl grass. They are planted just below the power filter and soon will be visible and will hide the gadget.

Discussed with the senior members of Kolkata Aquarium club and they suggested to go for pressurized Co2. Looking at the beauty of the tank I also think; it is worth investing, so ordered one today.



This is a close up photo of the plant, whose identity is still unknown to KA members.. Abhirup is searching for this.

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10th day of my planted jungle

Everything is running fine, More than my expectation. Getting help fromall my friends of Kolkata Aquarium club.

The changes noticeable are luxurious growth and greenness of the tank.

Some faunas are added mainly for the cycling process. Four Harquelin Rasbora and 3 Pink Zebra Danios; given by Amitava. Two HR s jumped out of the tank and died! Today addded few Gupies.

added a black background. That changed the total view!

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