Planning my first "big" tank - questions and stuff

Not 100% sure if this is the right place for this post, but here goes.


I'm busy planning my new (second) tank (90x40x40) and am looking at low-tech options for as much variety of vegetation as I can get into the water. Basically looking for some kind of moss carpet effect towards the front of the tank with rocks and driftwood with something (long) secured to it as background elements (maybe Java ferns?).


PLANTS:
What plants/mosses can be secured to rocks or driftwood or planted directly into gravel without needing special/fancy (ready "any") substrate/soil and additional CO2 setup? Moss for the foreground maybe secured to small flat stones to start with?


FISH:
At the moment my plan is to stock the tank with maybe 2 or 3 shoals of small schooling fish (suggestions welcome) and then maybe something else small that will occupy the caves around the driftwood and rocks - the emphasis is on small fish. I'm thinking along the lines of green fire tetras, leopard danios, etc.


The setup will have an internal filter and a T5 lighting unit (2 x 40W)


Looking forward to your suggestions.

 

You could take a look at Java ferns and Anubais. Those can be tied to driftwood, etc. If you want some good quality plants, take a look at betterweather. Also take a look at some Vallis or amazon swords, those are "classified" as low tech plants.

For moss, go for java moss.

You can actually almost plant any type of plants in inert substrate, as long as you fertilize them.

Co2 only boosts their growth and increase their nutrient uptake.

For bottom dwellers, best are the corys. Get at least 5min, and you will see them school also.

 

Yip, +1 there

 

Thanks for the info @Chongkie - I like the look of the plants that you suggested. I also hadn't considered corys but see that there is a nice variety and there are some really nice ones.

 

You can get so much more plants, but I'm guessing you want to start slow for now, so those types will do well.

Have a look at Bolbitis Heudelotii, and the cryptocoryne species of plants, they do need more care, i.e. nutrients, but will do well in a non-CO2 tank, and relatively low light conditions.

Also, if you are thinking of driftwood, get yourself some Otocinclus and or bristlenose plecos. Awesome little algae eaters. Try not to buy the typical algae eaters, aka Chinese algae eater and common pleco.

 

Awesome suggestions... Those bristlenose plecos are quite perculiar looking - I prefer the little corys tho

 

You can also consider some polka dot loaches for cleaning up after feeding time, they have awesome personalities, very inquisitive.