Aquatic Plants for a beginner?

[CARS]

In all of my previous tanks I always used plastic plants. However, a bigger tank I wanted to try growing real plants. I've got a deep tank, and am running two lights in the hood. We have also opted for a a mix of gravel and fine sand.

Can anyone give me any advice and tips? Everyone I have asked about it seems to think that they are difficult to grow? What are your experinces?

I would like a very green and leafy tank with a small community of tropical fish (as far as the type of fish, I am still undecided, I'd like to get the plants growing first.)

Many thanks!

[(RC)]

I would say Java Fern would be the way to go. They don't need a lot of light and will grow in just about any water. You can root them, or tie them to anything in the tank. They will also even grow just floating in the tank.


RC

[aquariumfishguy]

Do you know the wattage of light you have in your aquarium? Knowing this (and the size of the aquarium) will help us in assisting you with your future plant selections.

Just from the info you have given, I would recommend anything from Cryptocoryne, Java Fern, Anacharis, and even Micro Sword. This is a group of plants that requires low to moderate light. Basically, if you have about 2.5 watts per gallon, the above-mentioned plants should be able to prosper (although you need more than lighting for your plants to grow).

Pictures of the mentioned plants

Cryptocoryne


Java Fern


Anacharis


Micro Sword

[Damon]

Good choices (although the microsword may grow taller than you want if the lighting is low). There are many colors and varieties of crypts. You shouldn't have any problem growing the more common ones in that light (wendtti, spiralis, becketti,undulata). Wisteris and watersprite are easy plants to grow that will use excess nutrients in your tank to help fight off algae. But as AFG said lighting is the only thing you need. CO2 and Nutrients are all key. Potassium, Nitrogen, Phosphates and trace elements are all important too as well as your metals like iron, magnesium, calcium (not a metal) ect...

[maxpayne_lhp]

When I first started everything, I tried Green Cabomba and, hmm, is it Eulode? Yeah, though they didn't go with filters bt they are easy plants for your fish as a hiding place and a green look for the tank. Cut the at the terms when they grow long, and dip into the subrtates for new ones to grow!

[guppyart]

willow leaf does well in a moderate lighting situation but java fern does well and if you have normal lighting you can get hornwort it can look very nice if you can raise it to the point that it floats cause it will start to cover the whole top of the tank and the light that filters down should be a nice greenish tint and it helps get rid algae so then you can see the other plants

[guppyart]

willow leaf does well in a moderate lighting situation but java fern does well and if you have normal lighting you can get hornwort it can look very nice if you can raise it to the point that it floats cause it will start to cover the whole top of the tank and the light that filters down should be a nice greenish tint and it helps get rid algae so then you can see the other plants

[aquariumfishguy]

Mirco sword, like other plants, needs trimming every now and then. Good luck in selecting your plants!

[CARS]

The tank is 4x2x1 (60 gallons) and we have two 42 inch 40 watts tubes (One growlux and one high power show-off-your-fish light.) From the sound of it we might need brighter light. Unfortunately we can't fit any more tubes in the hood.

Am heading to our local Aquatic Specialist this weekend. (Can't wait!) Thank you all for replying so quickly. You've given some really helpful advice. I will keep you posted.

[DervMan]

Ya thanks for your help guys and girls.

As Charlie says, it's 48" long, 12" wide but deep at 24". We've two 40 watt tubes in the top, no reflectors, and it's bright in there, heh.

Our pH is 8.0, ammonia and nitrite down to 0, nitrate at 10ppm. pH is a concern, but bogwood should bring that down (right?). However, our water is hard, are plants fussy of this?

[osteoporoosi]

I recommend these plants:

-giant vallisneria and plain vallisneria(grow massively but solid fertilizer to the root)
-hygrophilia polysperma (grows quickly in a medium lighted tank, liquid fertilizer)
-java moss (doesn't need practically anything!)
-brazilian waterweed (medium lighting, liquid fertilizer)
- java fern

Fine sand is the best substrate for plants, in my opinion.
here's a link to my tanks, I've got all the plants above in them.

http://photobucket.com/albums/v640/osteoporoosi/

[maxpayne_lhp]

I love giant vallisneria that'll make my in-dream tank of "Papa new Guinea River" look good! Is it hardy and easy to grow?

[osteoporoosi]

It almost grows by itself .
It is almost enoying to cut some of it when it tries to spread in to the front of the tank.
It can also grow a bit too tall for a shallow tank.

[maxpayne_lhp]

Cool! Where can they be found?
Howww! It's late here, see ya guys later!
Hmm.. g'Sunday, though!

[Damon]

For the lighting you posted (80 watts over 60 gallons), you will be limited to the plants you can grow. The Vals will need more light than you have. The hygrophila polysperma is illegal to buy or sell in most of the US (I believe everywhere in the US). You will want to stick with low light plants light Java fern, Java Moss, Crypts, and anacharis unless you upgrade your lighting to at least 130 watts.

[osteoporoosi]

Why is it illegal to buy or sell hygrophila ?
Is it a threat to some natural habitats?

[osteoporoosi]

Correction; I meant Hydrophila polysperma, how stupid of me .

[Damon]

Are you sure? Green Hygro is a common aquarium plant. Just illegal in most states. It propogates way to fast and can grow just about anywhere.

[DervMan]

Thanks for the information.

As for the lighting, well as you can see from this shot it's a bit bright in there, at least to my eyes. We've put nine plants in there and we'll see how quickly they die off, heh.

Can anybody identify this species? The leaves have fine little hairs on some of them, presumably to trap nutrients from the water. They have decent roots too. The aquatic store reckoned these could cope with hard alkaline water, low light levels, and a sandy substrate...

[Damon]

Looks like corkscrew val. Could be contortionist val but I doubt it. Like nutrient rich substrates. Grows fast and shoots off runners for propagation.