Hardy background plants??

[beknluke]

Hi Guys :)
We have a 5' planted aquarium but I am having doubts about our choice of background plant.
At the moment, we have a few bunches of giant lace fern that are thriving by growing up and out (at the top), but the bottoms are looking fairly drab.
We also have a bunch of bacopa (sp?) that has a fairly woody looking bottom 4inches or so.
Is there a particular plant that you guys would suggest for a full background coverage? We're wanting something that will grow all the way to the top (2' high) and something that would make a nice 'wall' effect if we plant enough of it along the back.
If you could recommend something, that would be wonderful :)
BTW - We have 2 ordinary 4' white globes above the tank, and are happily growing anubias sp, crypts, hairgrass and liaopsis (sp?), banana lilies, echinodorus sp and some java moss.
Thanks :)
Bex

[wombat1100]

G'day Bex, sounds like you are one of the lucky ones, you are growing all those species with std flouro tubes? do you fertilize? what fish do you have in there with them?
would love to see some pics of the tank if you have some
Dazz

[beknluke]

G'day Dazz :D
I believe I *might* know you from the herp world - how are ya?
Believe me, at the moment, it doesn't look as pretty as it sounds b/c we fished out some emperors yesterday so made a bit of a mess of the place *oops*
To answer your Qs:
Yes, we only have those tubes available to the plants and so far, they have been very happy! (To my un-educated eyes that is ;) )
Nope, we haven't fertilised.
We have cardinals, rams, a few other apistogramma sp, emperoros, khulis, clown loaches, b/n, pakistani loaches, and now also some endlers livebearers!! (Love 'em!)
It's also still a fairly new tank - we have just been extremely lucky in how quickly all of the parameters of stabilised! So who knows - we may need to fertilise in the near future.
And advice you can offer would be great!
Bex :)

[Woodsy]

Hey Bex,
Dazz is right - I envy you for being able to grow those species under t8's, particularly the lillaeopsis! If you want to try something a bit different, you could make up mesh plates with moss sandwiched between them to make panels that cover the back wall. Alternatively, you could try some Hygrophila polysperma or Hydrorichie "Pine Needles". Good luck :)

[wombat1100]

G'day Dazz :D
I believe I *might* know you from the herp world - how are ya?


Herp world?

[beknluke]

Thanks for the ideas Woodsy! I will have to give some of those a shot! I appreciate your help!

Dazz - sorry mate - I had read a post that you had made to someone about snakes and assumed that you are a Dazz that I know that makes reptile enclosures ;) If you don't know the term 'herp' though, then I'd say I have the wrong person!! Sorry! Herp is short for herpetology - the study of reptiles and amphibians. Most people who are in to reptiles are 'herper's or are part of the 'herp world' etc. I hope that makes sense!

Thanks again guys!
Bex :)

[Woodsy]

LOL!
Waits for it....

[beknluke]

Waits for what?? lol - have I missed something?

[Woodsy]

*looks at Dazz*
Nah, it's going to be way funnier when he answers hahahahaha!

[wombat1100]

I dont have herpes, who told you i have herpes
shes a liar
so is her sister, aunt, mum and brother!
hehe
oh and dont believe a word the dog tells you either