Carpeting plants no co2 - what substrate?

[underthesea1]

I'm planning on buying a new tank and moving my current fish over to it, my plan is to continue with no co2.

My current tank has a layer of aquatic compost capped with sand and I have to say, the plants have thrived and grow very quickly in it, however it isn't the scape I want. (I will move some plants over, like my tiger lotus as that is so beautiful but my amazon swords, although growing fast seem to get shrivelled at the top and block a lot of light from the rest of the tank). Fortunately, I have had zero issues with algae!

I'd really like to attempt to grow a carpeting plant, I am aware with no co2 this proves more difficult, but from my research, monte carlo can be grown without co2.

I wanted to know what substates would give me the best chance at achieving this for my new tank.

Thanks!

Also if you happen to know of a better carpeting plant for this do let me know!

Edit - I am looking at the aquanano 80 mand juwel rio 125 - are the lights that come with those sufficient for this task?

 

[underthesea1]

Edit - I have read that marsilea crena or hirstuta might be better options?

Marsilea Crenata​

 

[MaloK]

I'm going to start a new tank soon too and for the first time will use an active planted tank substrate. After searching a while I chosen to go with Caribsea Eco-Planted Black. Made in the USA, No dyes, All basaltic gravel, can be used alone or mixed. Fits what I want... I can't even tell if it's good or not, but the reviews are pretty positive and it looks great.

The lights that are normally provided are intended for showcase tanks. Most of the time optimized for excellent visibility first. But still the description of the aquanano 80 is encouraging, (high output WRGB LED light). And that is already more than many that have only WB.

You might be able to get along with it.

 

[fishorama]

I have used Eco Complete (the small gravel not the sand) & still have it in 1 tank. I like the color & size. I have never been brave enough to try soil or "aqua soil". I don't use co2. My lights are what I'd call medium-lowish light.

The problem for me is that low growing plants tend to not actually "cover" the substrate. They spread but not closely together or densely. Maybe they'd better if I snipped them & replanted more closely? I'm a lazy tank gardener. To some extent you can encourage spreading with trying to lead any with fertilizer placement where you want them to go.

Some I've tried with some success include marsilea (3? different 1s, I don't recall which worked better), glossostigma, staurogyne, lilaeopsis nova zealandia (sp?).

Very difficult for me (again, without co2) include dwarf hairgrass (cyano & hair algae magnet eek!). I love crypts & experimented with c. parva. I did spent aqua soil (mud) capped with Turface & just Turface & 2 different ferts. All in the same tank. The funny thing was there was some nice growth in all 3 but I lost quite a few in each too. I'd say I had ~30% success rate until they all melted for some reason I didn't feel so bad after my plant club had come over before the meltdown & a couple commented on how good mine looked, it "can be difficult". Maybe I'll try it again someday.

I also like crypt. nurii (maybe Pahang mutated) as a pretty low growing very happy "almost" ground cover in a big 110g tank, but not maybe in a small tank.