Plants are growing well.... now what?

[Kats]

Hi guys!  OK, here is the situation...  When we started the tank we did as many of you told us to do and planted our little hearts out!!  As suggested we did not do any "landscaping" or anything but just stuck plants all over.

Now they seem to have ALL grown well, we did not loose any of the new sprouts so we have a wild planted tank!   

I'd like to start doing some landscaping in there but I'm afraid that moving the plants around will destroy their roots and kill them.

Any advice as per how we should go about replanting?

I've updated some pics in my gallery...

[Aquaviewer]

Your plants look good, not too over grown.  There is really nothing to moving plants around, just pull them up gently by the base to protect the roots and limit the amount of sediment that gets stirred around.  You may have to give a few gentle tugs to get the roots up, especially with rosette plants like cryps and swords. 

I trim the roots before replanting, especially if they are long.  Trimming allows you to remove any brown or decaying roots, as well as making it easier to spread the roots out when you push it into the substrate (by the root tips with your finger tips or forcepts).  If you try and stick a large root ball into the substrate you risk it bunching up and rotting, stunting growth and/or killing the plant. Most stem plants can be pulled up and stuck in the new spot. 


When you are aquascaping, remember to allow the plants room to grow into their final form.

[dan2x38]

IMO Aquaviewer is on the money... One thing don't prune all your plants the same day or move all the same day. Your tank is a balanced eco-system. By reducing the amount plants, prunning or slowing down growth, moving upsetting roots you risk upsetting the balance... your plants don't use up enough nutrients so algae could get a chance to and maybe bloom... so trim some plants one week some another; move some one week move some another...

OH those tallest plants in your pics... prune before they get so stemy and replant the clippings... Hope this helps?

[Laura]

It's looking great!

I don't know if changing up your plants would upset your brooding angels, although I suspect so.  You may want to hold off, or ask someone with experience in this.

For aqua scaping, often tall plants are at the back and side, with shorter in the middle and the front.
If you want to drool over plants, check out the AGA competitions http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/2007.cgi

[dan2x38]

If you want to drool over plants, check out the AGA competitions http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/2007.cgi

Wow Laura great link! Sure a ton of great examples there...