Plants

[yhbae]

The substrate shouldn't make a difference as far as the health of the plant. Sand may even hold the plant in place better.

How does it take the nutrients? Does it also take it from water directly through their roots? I can't imagine pure sand will contain much nutrients...

 

[David]

Ok thanks that helps out a lot

 

[Undawada]

Gravel doesn't contain much nutrients either. That's why plant fertilizer is important. Enough water will soak through the sand to feed the plant. These plants grow in silt/sand in nature as well.

Different parts of the plant absorb different nutrients. The leaves take in dissolved Co2, while the roots absorb minerals from their surroundings. Iron is important, as well as trace elements that come in the commercial solutions you buy at your LFS.

 

[Undawada]

Forgot to mention : some plants (such as java fern, java moss) can and will attach to just about anything; driftwood, rocks, etc. In fact, Java moss and Java ferns can thrive just fine floating freely in the water, but I wouldn't reccomend it since they can clog filter intakes.

 

[David]

Hmm. Given that info maybe I should attach my Java Fern to my piece of driftwood. maybe it would look better what do you think?

 

[yhbae]

Hmm. Given that info maybe I should attach my Java Fern to my piece of driftwood. maybe it would look better what do you think?

Yes, that is what I did. In fact, most of my java ferns are attached to flat pieces of stones using threads. Once attached, I can move them around within or other tanks without disturbing other objects or the substrate.

Works great!

 

[David]

So once you position them they automatically work their roots around and attach?

 

[Undawada]

Yep, especially java ferns... they love to cling to things...

 

[David]

Cool. What do you suggest for my next plants as my tank is still rather empty and I want it to be hevily planted. I was thinking a couple more java fern (healthy ones this time) and another anubias. I also want some taller plants, as well as floating plants. And I also saw this cool moss looking thing that I also wanted but the salesperson said it's sensitive and needs CO2 injections. Any suggestions?