Beginner plants for new planted tank owners

**Damon** · 07-21-2005, 05:11 AM

These plants are all considered "easy to grow" meaning they require little light, and no added ferts. They are slower growers but are hard to kill.

Java Fern
Java Moss
Wisteria
Watersprite
Crypt Wendtti
Crypt Lucens
Anacharis
Hornwort
Aponogeton Undulata
Aponogeton Crispus
Anubias Barteri
Anubias Nana
Anubias Coffee
Crypt Beckettii
Pennywort
Christmas Moss
Taiwan Moss
Dwarf Onion
Giant Hygro
Guppy Grass
** Hygorphillia Polysperma
Temple Plant (Not to be confused with red temple)

* Bacopa Austrailis
* Aquatic Clover
* Dwarf Sag

There are many species of Aponogetons and Anubias; most of which are all undemanding. There are a few that are not.

* Denotes may require more lighting than a standard hood
** Denotes May be Illegal in your state

shev · 07-23-2005, 06:13 AM

great list. Now I feel dumb my bacopa lost half of its leaves in a couple weeks after I put it in the tank, and thats on the easy to take care of list.

euRasian32 · 07-29-2005, 02:11 PM

LOL shev

Great thread, and thanks again simpte! I'm anticipating the package you sent me.

I just got some watersprite about a week ago, and it's already got a whole bunch of lil sprouts on lots of the leaves, I'll need to give some away soon!
I've had aponogeten plants for almost a month and a half (started from those bulbs) and they're close to 2 1/2 feet tall already, no ferts, no CO2, in sand. If I straighten the hardiest one out, they come out about 5 inches out of the top of my 125.

**Damon** · 07-29-2005, 05:51 PM

Baopa is a funny plant shev. I cant grow it either with 3wps and CO2 with eco-complete as a substrate. I also use the E.I. method of fertilizing (with KNO3, PO4, csm+b, fe, ect...) Some have luck while others dont. I originally had asian ambulia on this list but its now illegal to sell and ship.

Alin10123 · 08-13-2005, 06:50 PM

Thanks, that helps a lot. Coincidentally i ran across this article too. Maybe this will help. It has links to pictures and how to care and everything.

http://www.aquamaniacs.net/forum/cms...cle.php?aid=38

Chumpp_308 · 09-29-2005, 11:22 PM

http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_...=1&filter_by=2

this is a great site as well

Fishboy93 · 09-30-2005, 12:04 AM

The asian is illegal but not the australian type of ambulia. For beginners with crypts they undergo crypt rot but will come around. I think Crypt. Balanese is good too for beginners.

**Damon** · 09-30-2005, 01:49 AM

Correct, though crypts may or may not go through crypt rot or crypt melt.

Fishboy93 · 09-30-2005, 11:48 AM

is there a difference between melt and rot??My balanese turns brown and my wenditii gets holes and droops

**Damon** · 09-30-2005, 05:16 PM

No difference. They both refer to the rapid deterioration of crypt leaves.

stargate_geek · 12-16-2006, 08:25 PM

Thanks for the list! I got wisteria and hornwort yesterday as my first plants!

**Damon** · 12-16-2006, 08:54 PM

Dont get discouraged if the plants shed all thier leaves in the first week. Many plants you acquire from lfs were grown emmersed and have to change leaf structure whem submerged.

CyberSpike · 12-17-2006, 06:05 PM

I'll definitely agree with the Aponogeton, they seem to grow everywhere. Tanks, bowls, low lighting, high lighting.

Just be sure to prune off the flowering stalks otherwise they will pollinate and go dormant in the bulb again.

**Damon** · 12-17-2006, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberSpike

Just be sure to prune off the flowering stalks otherwise they will pollinate and go dormant in the bulb again.

Not necessarily a bad thing if you want more of them

flamingo · 12-17-2006, 10:02 PM

Can't forget most types of vallisneria!

PEVINE · 03-30-2007, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chumpp_308

http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_...=1&filter_by=2

this is a great site as well

wonderful site! thanks alot

Gaby191 · 03-31-2007, 02:47 AM

Oh man i was just about to post a thread asking to see if anyone could suggest a couple of starter plants. Good thing i found this post before i did, thats a very nice list, lots of options, and the links were helpful too!

Atlanta · 04-04-2007, 08:03 PM

Ok so I'm going to have a tank full of loaches. Now are live plants cheaper then fake? Do I have to buy a light, or can the light from my window do the job. What do they feed on? What's the maintanence? Im a newbie sorry.

**Damon** · 04-04-2007, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlanta

Ok so I'm going to have a tank full of loaches. Now are live plants cheaper then fake? Do I have to buy a light, or can the light from my window do the job. What do they feed on? What's the maintanence? Im a newbie sorry.

Please start a new thread if you have questions about plants. We'll be more than happy to help.

swordtailbreedr · 04-05-2007, 12:23 AM

yeah i have some exp. ill help if u make a new thread

whats the sci name of amazonb sword tho?

07-21-2005, 05:11 AM	#1
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 4,983 User Feedback: (0)	Beginner plants for new planted tank owners These plants are all considered "easy to grow" meaning they require little light, and no added ferts. They are slower growers but are hard to kill. Java Fern Java Moss Wisteria Watersprite Crypt Wendtti Crypt Lucens Anacharis Hornwort Aponogeton Undulata Aponogeton Crispus Anubias Barteri Anubias Nana Anubias Coffee Crypt Beckettii Pennywort Christmas Moss Taiwan Moss Dwarf Onion Giant Hygro Guppy Grass ** Hygorphillia Polysperma Temple Plant (Not to be confused with red temple) * Bacopa Austrailis * Aquatic Clover * Dwarf Sag There are many species of Aponogetons and Anubias; most of which are all undemanding. There are a few that are not. * Denotes may require more lighting than a standard hood ** Denotes May be Illegal in your state __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

07-29-2005, 02:11 PM	#3
euRasian32 Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Virginia Age: 33 Posts: 751 User Feedback: (2)	LOL shev Great thread, and thanks again simpte! I'm anticipating the package you sent me. I just got some watersprite about a week ago, and it's already got a whole bunch of lil sprouts on lots of the leaves, I'll need to give some away soon! I've had aponogeten plants for almost a month and a half (started from those bulbs) and they're close to 2 1/2 feet tall already, no ferts, no CO2, in sand. If I straighten the hardiest one out, they come out about 5 inches out of the top of my 125. __________________ “Corporations pay people just enough money so they won’t quit. People work just enough so they don’t get fired. What's that about?” – Christopher Walken, Pool Hall Junkies

07-29-2005, 05:51 PM	#4
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 4,983 User Feedback: (0)	Baopa is a funny plant shev. I cant grow it either with 3wps and CO2 with eco-complete as a substrate. I also use the E.I. method of fertilizing (with KNO3, PO4, csm+b, fe, ect...) Some have luck while others dont. I originally had asian ambulia on this list but its now illegal to sell and ship. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

09-30-2005, 12:04 AM	#7
Fishboy93 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ft. Myers, FL Age: 15 Posts: 657 User Feedback: (0)	The asian is illegal but not the australian type of ambulia. For beginners with crypts they undergo crypt rot but will come around. I think Crypt. Balanese is good too for beginners. __________________ 29 Gallon Reef

09-30-2005, 01:49 AM	#8
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 4,983 User Feedback: (0)	Correct, though crypts may or may not go through crypt rot or crypt melt. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

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07-23-2005, 06:13 AM	#2
shev Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Montana Age: 19 Posts: 1,561 User Feedback: (0)	great list. Now I feel dumb my bacopa lost half of its leaves in a couple weeks after I put it in the tank, and thats on the easy to take care of list.

08-13-2005, 06:50 PM	#5
Alin10123 Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 526 User Feedback: (0)	Thanks, that helps a lot. Coincidentally i ran across this article too. Maybe this will help. It has links to pictures and how to care and everything. http://www.aquamaniacs.net/forum/cms...cle.php?aid=38

09-29-2005, 11:22 PM	#6
Chumpp_308 Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Manitoba, Canada Age: 20 Posts: 74 User Feedback: (0)	http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_...=1&filter_by=2 this is a great site as well

09-30-2005, 11:48 AM	#9
Fishboy93 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ft. Myers, FL Age: 15 Posts: 657 User Feedback: (0)	is there a difference between melt and rot??My balanese turns brown and my wenditii gets holes and droops __________________ 29 Gallon Reef

09-30-2005, 05:16 PM	#10
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 4,983 User Feedback: (0)	No difference. They both refer to the rapid deterioration of crypt leaves. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

12-16-2006, 08:25 PM	#11
stargate_geek Official Geek Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Massachusetts, USA Age: 16 Posts: 84 User Feedback: (0)	Thanks for the list! I got wisteria and hornwort yesterday as my first plants!

12-16-2006, 08:54 PM	#12
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 4,983 User Feedback: (0)	Dont get discouraged if the plants shed all thier leaves in the first week. Many plants you acquire from lfs were grown emmersed and have to change leaf structure whem submerged. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

12-17-2006, 06:05 PM	#13
CyberSpike Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Age: 19 Posts: 92 User Feedback: (0)	I'll definitely agree with the Aponogeton, they seem to grow everywhere. Tanks, bowls, low lighting, high lighting. Just be sure to prune off the flowering stalks otherwise they will pollinate and go dormant in the bulb again. __________________ Ryan Woodford ~* Planted 10 Gallon ~ 2 Cherry Barbs 2 Mystery Snails 6 Neon Tetras 1 Otto Cat ~ Planted 3/4 Gallon Bowl *~ 1 Crowntail Betta

12-17-2006, 10:02 PM	#15
flamingo One Word: Croutons. Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Wisconsin Age: 16 Posts: 1,897 User Feedback: (2)	Can't forget most types of vallisneria! __________________ Color exists only in the mind. . Am I only a thought?

03-31-2007, 02:47 AM	#17
Gaby191 Im a newbie! =) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Connecticut Age: 17 Posts: 12 User Feedback: (0)	Oh man i was just about to post a thread asking to see if anyone could suggest a couple of starter plants. Good thing i found this post before i did, thats a very nice list, lots of options, and the links were helpful too!

04-04-2007, 08:03 PM	#18
Atlanta Fishy Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 10 User Feedback: (0)	Ok so I'm going to have a tank full of loaches. Now are live plants cheaper then fake? Do I have to buy a light, or can the light from my window do the job. What do they feed on? What's the maintanence? Im a newbie sorry.

04-05-2007, 12:23 AM	#20
swordtailbreedr Banned Join Date: Mar 2007 Age: 16 Posts: 400 User Feedback: (0)	yeah i have some exp. ill help if u make a new thread whats the sci name of amazonb sword tho?

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