feeling like something is missing

[paddyL]

I've got a tiny 70lt tank I'm turning into a jungle setup. The lighting is pretty low, same tank that was featured in this month's PFK magazine, so I'm sticking to easy-to-care-for plants that'll thrive with just a weekly dose of liquid ferts.

As it stands now, I feel like something's missing. I'm thinking of adding a small piece of driftwood to create a cave, and maybe another small Anubias on the right side of the wood.

I'm on the lookout for a low-growing, compact foreground plant that'll give my fry a place to hide and my pygmy corys a spot to chill.

I was considering Cryptocoryne willisii - any other suggestions? My tank's currently home to a red veiltail, 2 red cherry shrimp (lost one to my betta), and 4 pygmy corys.

[hillsman]

Java fern is a great option for mid-tank, it's not a foreground plant though. Like your anubias, which is looking healthy, it's best attached to rocks or wood rather than planted. It's one of the more affordable plants out there. Given the low light, finding a carpeting plant might be a challenge. If your java moss does well, it could eventually cover a significant portion of the tank, so you might need to trim it back if it gets out of hand.

[haven_9]

I've had my share of java moss taking over too. Recently had to give mine a serious haircut and managed to remove a massive 40 grams of it, still leaving plenty behind on the wood. It's unbelievable how fast it grows once it gets going.

Before the trim, it was getting a bit out of hand:


 
After the trim, it's still a bit cloudy, but you can see the difference:


 
The amount I removed is just crazy:


 
I'm pretty sure I'll be doing this all again in under a month if I can be bothered... The stuff grows so well it's basically glued all the wood together – there are about four pieces of wood under there and I can just lift the whole thing out by the moss when it needs a trim. It's going to end up carpeting the area where it is.

[hillsman]

I'm still struggling to get mine to grow, just set up a new tank with an improved lighting system so I'm gonna give it another shot.

[haven_9]

I'm actually a bit jealous, my java moss just refuses to grow, but I've recently set up a new tank with improved lighting so I'm gonna give it another shot. Haven_9's growth is insane, I'm not even exaggerating, if all my other plants grew at that rate I'd be able to provide the entire community with cuttings every week.

[boomer]

You might want to consider either of the chain swords for a low-maintenance option. I've had good luck with Helanthium tenellum and the slightly larger-leaf H. bolivianum, both of which work well in low to moderate lighting with a basic comprehensive supplement once a week. Once established, they'll spread out and cover the substrate pretty quickly, and are easy to trim back as needed.

[hillsman]

I've had my share of java moss taking over too. Recently had to give mine a serious haircut and managed to remove a massive 40 grams of it, still leaving plenty behind on the wood. It's unbelievable how fast it grows once it gets going.

Before the trim, it was getting a bit out of hand:


 
After the trim, it's still a bit cloudy, but you can see the difference:


 
The amount I removed is just crazy:


 
I'm pretty sure I'll be doing this all again in under a month if I can be bothered... The stuff grows so well it's basically glued all the wood together – there are about four pieces of wood under there and I can just lift the whole thing out by the moss when it needs a trim. It's going to end up carpeting the area where it is.

I'm still struggling to get my java moss to grow, whereas you're having the opposite problem - it's taking over. I've recently set up a new tank with improved lighting, so I'm giving it another shot. Fingers crossed this time it'll thrive.

It's hilarious that you're experiencing the opposite issue, with it growing at an alarming rate. I recall a time when I used to maintain a 6ft tank that was frequently overflowing with java moss, which I'd remove and discard. Hopefully, my new setup will yield better results.

[hillsman]

If this lot doesn't take off, I might just have to take you up on that offer. I've gone all out, glued a large clump to every available surface in two of my tanks now, just waiting to see it flourish.