Current in planted tank... How?

Hi,

I'm kinda new in the planted tank scene, or even new to the hobby itself. I've only gotten myself a 1ft tank to start, and made some mistakes, killed some plants and now still going at it. I did buy another tank which is 2ft (15g), pressurized Co2 and a 2213 but I didn't want to start it till I get my 1ft tank in a better shape.

I've been reading up a lot in this forum, and after going through the whole EI and dual Venturi reactor thread, on top of numerous other thread, it seems like the consensus is that stronger current is beneficial to a planted tank, to spread nutrients and Co2 alike to the entire tank.

I have some Anubias afzelii, Asian Ambulia, and japanese hairgrass as foreground on ADA AS Malaysa powder version.

My question is that, the plants being 'soft stemmed' and the substrate being powdery (it's not entirely covered with the JHG yet.. they grew slowwww), how do I add in more current? As it is, I am running the AquaClear 200 HOB and I can't even let it rip at full flow as it'll cause:

a) soil erosion below the waterfall
b) my plants will bow under the waterfall ... I reckon if I get some horizontal current going, the whole tank will have lopsided plants

Any help?

Aquarium picture attached.

Regards
Ryan

 

Thanks for all the ideas thus far!

Anyway, how do I put a piece of the sponge on the outflow of my HOB? Do you mean at the end of the waterfall level or still within the 'cartridge' inside. I have a piece of sponge and 2 levels of bio balls (took out the activated carbon layer).

---
Ryan

 

Hi Vaughn,

Yep those are left there just to hold them for when I start my new tank. I've since decided against that and have planted them near the back. When you talk about those "paddle" type deflector, I have no idea what it is. Do you have a link to something remotely like it? I am also pretty good with the tools so if it's not available commercially I can make it out of a diagram or something ...

Also, a little off topic too... Are any of you able to identify this plant in my tank? I've attached the image below. It has all these little thin string like roots spawning from everywhere along the stem. What am I supposed to do with them?

Finally, the second image is of another plant, that, hopefully someone can identify as well. It's been growing well until recently and all the new growth seems to NOT 'stand' but instead limps down Any idea why? (this image is the one with the black rock)

Many thanks!

Ryan

 

Yup it's running on a DIY yeast mixture, but the diffusing method is a block of wood, and is not producing fine bubbles at all ... I get medium sized bubbles that floats right up to the surface anyway, but my 4dKh drop checker registers a green VERY close to yellow, so I guess it's sufficient given the size of the small tank?

Ryan

p/s- I just started my larger tank with 2213 and will never go back to HOBs