Pondering -- Planted African tank

[hollyfish2000]

Just mulling over some options for when I upgrade my African tank. Will have a family group of Vics and six syndontis lucippinis. I typically do Eco-complete cichlid substrate plus Tahitian Moon sand, and lace and Texas/holey rock for my Africans.

I'm plant-experienced and have a massively planted SA tank. But I'd want this to be lightly planted and low-light (with plants not eaten by the fish) and somewhat "natural" looking for that biotope (although not fanatically).

I assume anubias would be good? Java fern?

 

[twisted fisher]

lol im glad you posed this here cause im thinking about doing the same in my shellie tanks

 

[Tony]

I have anubias in all of my Malawi tanks. No one touches it except for the random tropheus that I have in my 180. I've tried java fern before, but not really had success... not sure why. But that doesn't mean it doesn't work; I just never had as much java fern as I had anubias.

Have tried crypts and some big vals, but they always get uprooted fairly quickly (even with pots).

 

[DiscusnAfricans]

Anubias and java fern are good choices because they aren't tasty and will tolerate the water conditions. Vallisneria is another good choice and I believe certain variants are endemic.

 

[hollyfish2000]

Thanks guys. How much WPG do you do if just anubias and how many hours a day? I assume no CO2 needed. What's your algae situation?

 

[SubMariner]

I have anubias in all of my Malawi tanks. No one touches it except for the random tropheus that I have in my 180. I've tried java fern before, but not really had success... not sure why. But that doesn't mean it doesn't work; I just never had as much java fern as I had anubias.

Have tried crypts and some big vals, but they always get uprooted fairly quickly (even with pots).

Yea, I concur with Tony.

 

[Spine]

Thanks guys. How much WPG do you do if just anubias and how many hours a day? I assume no CO2 needed. What's your algae situation?

I don't think you will need CO2. I'm 8 to 10 hours of light will be fine. I have anubias in some tanks that don't even have a light they just get indirect sun light from a window.