Best plants for 55g

[Chiclid addict]

I'm planting a new 55g and am looking for some planting recommendations so far my idea is and 1x(maybe 2) red Lilly bulb 2x scarlet temple 6x dwarf hair grass or micro-sword(recommendations?) and my stocking will be 10ish sharpe tetras 3x blue rams 1x angel fish 3x rope and eventually 3-5 discus 

[Patrick_G]

What kind of light are you using and are you using c02. 

A 55 is pretty deep so you'll need a decently bright light to grow dwarf hair grass or micro sword. I think some crypts might be a better option for the bottom level. The scarlet temple will also appreciate a bright light.  The Lily bulbs will do great in any light. I’d also consider some Java fern and maybe some Pogostemon Octopus too. 

[Chiclid addict]

On 6/2/2022 at 1:24 PM, Patrick_G said:

What kind of light are you using and are you using c02. 

A 55 is pretty deep so you'll need a decently bright light to grow dwarf hair grass or micro sword. I think some crypts might be a better option for the bottom level. The scarlet temple will also appreciate a bright light.  The Lily bulbs will do great in any light. I’d also consider some Java fern and maybe some Pogostemon Octopus too. 

It’s nothing special as far as lights go it’s just a 48inch(same as tank) led shop light I stole when I redid my shop this is the tank now with just some tetras in it to help you get and idea 

On 6/2/2022 at 10:38 PM, Chiclid addict said:

It’s nothing special as far as lights go it’s just a 48inch(same as tank) led shop light I stole when I redid my shop this is the tank now with just some tetras in it to help you get and idea 

 

[nabokovfan87]

Based on substrate, I'd stick to stems and rhizome as a focus. You can get away with some stuff mentioned like valisnaria and other plants that can propagate pretty easily with runners.  I would have crypts up front, root tabs, and then val in the back.

[Chiclid addict]

On 6/3/2022 at 12:26 AM, nabokovfan87 said:

Based on substrate, I'd stick to stems and rhizome as a focus. You can get away with some stuff mentioned like valisnaria and other plants that can propagate pretty easily with runners.  I would have crypts up front, root tabs, and then val in the back.

What is wrong with the substrate? I’m new to planted tanks 

[nabokovfan87]

On 6/3/2022 at 11:44 AM, Chiclid addict said:

What is wrong with the substrate? I’m new to planted tanks 

Nothing. It's just an inert substrate.  It just means what some types of plants will do better (water column feeders) compared to others that would feed mainly through the roots. Some plants might feed through both (I believe) but prefer one or the other.  There's some cool tests I've seen on youtube about how much it helps to have certain brand of root tabs compared to others and they did a control with only water column dosing.

Interesting stuff for sure.

So the substrate is fine! I have my old sand tank in my journal if you want to check it out, 55/75G and it worked fine!  Especially PSO (I'll screw up the spelling but) something like water sprite or pogostemon stellatus octopus should do very well with that substrate. Vallisnaria is another great one.

 

 

Edited June 3, 2022 by nabokovfan87

[nabokovfan87]

As you mentioned in your OP. The dwarf lily, and micro sword should be really good ones to start with as well.

[Chiclid addict]

This might also be a good time to mention I have liquid rock….

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

How liquid is liquid rock? 🙂 I have pretty hard water- I think in a set up like yours gluing Java Narrowleaf to that rock will have a very nice look to it. Kelp forest-esque (I stole this pic:)

Narrow leaf gets pretty tall and plenty of plantlets to reglue in future