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plant/fish suggestions for 55 gal tank


alumpo

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I currently have a 55 gallon tank with a golden gourami and 10 golden barbs and only have two types of plants in my tank (anubias nana and anacharis). I'm going to add a piece of manzanita wood in the future and was wondering what plants would look good in the tank and are easy to keep. I'm also looking to add a few more fish in the future as well but I'm not really sure on what I should add.

Thanks

-Aedan

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I like the look of Valisneria americana if your water suits its needs. I also am an undying fan of Amazon swords. Two other species that have become mainstays for me are Hygrophyllia difformis (Water wisteria) and Hygrophyllia polysperma (Indian swampweed). I love how bright green the Hygros grow. One other that is fantastic if you can get a very large specimen is Java fern. Of course, you can never go wrong with a Bronze crypt!

Here are a few photos with these plants in from several tanks of mine with notes on the plants included.

Hygrophilia difformis (Water Wisteria) -- some other plants in foreground. Hydro was hardy enough to withstand goldfish nibbling. All plants seem to do better if in an unheated tank...

E9EE3ECE-B1EF-45AF-859B-1203BF59A966.jpeg.0ac0b8f270c8faf2763639edbcc6f24c.jpeg

Valisneria americana, Amazon swords, and attach of Hygrophilia difformis in here with Discus. The plants are never happy, because the water is way up above 83-F. But with added air-stones, they survive...

9D8B08E9-AC03-4E79-AE56-B4C7CBDBCC54.jpeg.236de569f1b9fd0f9a9e4966dc3255d5.jpeg

7EB3ECBA-E99F-4C95-82AF-4D862DA3D1A0.jpeg.fcd93ac140aa12982767b80382d35337.jpeg

I threw in some Hygrophilia polysperma (Indian swampweed) and some Moneywort. Again, no plants love this tank, but they "survive"...

5658349A-8DA4-48AC-9182-CBCE5690C601.jpeg.52b685e8970cba3349cde9832bb002f0.jpeg

Here you can see that the Indian swampweed had gotten a little out of hand. Many plants are like this, and will explode if grown closer to the light / tank surface...

1636200741_ScreenShot2022-05-09at1_13_12PM.png.30a98a72249690bd39573e6fe2c1c50f.png

Valisneria americana, Bronze crypt, and a little melon sword in the lower left. Plants absolutely love the cold water tank / no heater...

494EA7D1-D5D7-4B20-9098-9EBA010D42CE.jpeg.88479c50ed0d50ac4ba53b0adc4b247f.jpeg

In this overstocked Grow-out tank, I have several really large Java Ferns going. Also a touch of Najas (guppy grass). Although I've never fond them to be huge nitrate absorbing plants, Java ferns will multiply in a nitrate-drenched environment. I pull baby java ferns off of the tips of these plants every month or so, and replant them in all my other tanks...

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Here is a tank I set up just two weeks ago. This Val will eventually fill in, and the Wisteria will become more bushy. Cool water in here. Loads of air via a DIY spray-bar...

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Hope that gives you some ideas of tall, hardy plants for your setup. I'll mention that most of my lighting is unbelievably cheap. I just use LED shoplights from WalMart...

CE9E0214-9718-4633-A652-BB1E4DC15D93.jpeg.0173407ab36ed773cf2c43a04c7e95f1.jpeg

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