I like the look of the Cryptocoryne nevelli and the Schismatoglottis prietoi as well, but it seemed like they were on the wrong sides of the tank.  The C. nevelli got larger than I thought it would so blocked the view of the Alternanthera reineckii ‘Mini’ and the recently re-attempted Alternanthera reineckii ‘Rosanervig’.  (Must… get… […]

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It’s been around 18 months since the Bucephalandra caterina and Anubias nana ‘Pinto’ were planted in the Fireplace Aquarium so time for a massive trim! Ephiphytes on the mountain before and after trimming The bucephalandra and anubias have both done really well, overachieved in a some ways in fact.  The caterina at the top of the […]

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Unusual view* down into the Fireplace Aquarium during a major water change.  On the top of the mountain on the right is Bucephalandra caterina, with newly installed Anubias barteri nana ‘Pinto’ further down.  The flopped over red plant is Ludwigia palustris mini ‘Super Red’ with bright green Lobelia cardinalis ‘Dwarf’ just below it.  The low […]

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Refreshing the Ludwigia palustris mini ‘Super Red’  “Stem plants” are those that have leaves coming off a central stem and contrast with rosette plants with leaves sprouting from a central locus.  Stem plants grow fast, and can get big so require some maintenance.  The easiest method is to simply cut off and discard the tops […]

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Time lapse  sequence following major aquarium plant trim About a month ago I revised the layout of some of the aquarium plants.  I didn’t like the look of all the stemmy/rooty bits of the Lobelia showing up against the front wall of the aquarium so I planted a row of dwarf Cryptocorynes in front to […]

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Plant layers add vertical interest Aquatic plants for aquaria are commonly classed by how tall they can be expected to grow, with the idea that it is sensible to grow the shortest plants at the front of the tank, middle-sized plants somewhat further back behind the shortest plants, and the tallest plants at the very […]

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How tall do submerged aquarium plants grow? Figures are approximate, as they say.  When planning a planted aquarium (and there should be some type of plan!) it’s important to consider the expected maximum height of plants in the layout.  I went wrong previously planting echinodorus radicans, a fine plant but much too large for this […]

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