Should I, as a beginner, use live plants?

[BettaBabe]

I see that mondo grass can be used and is easy to keep. Anything else virually indestructable?

BB

 

[fishy frenzy]

it is not that hard to keep live plants but as i did i put my live plants in after the fish and all the plants but one are still allive.

 

[sscamatt]

how do u actually "plant" the plants? just stick them in the gravel?

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Actually, from what I've raed and experienced, mondo grass is not an underwater plant and will not survive in a tank.

For most plants, the crown (tangle of roots and stems at the base) should not be buried under the gravel. Check out a book form the library on plants. they have info on that.

 

[BettaBabe]

Actually, from what I've raed and experienced, mondo grass is not an underwater plant and will not survive in a tank.

For most plants, the crown (tangle of roots and stems at the base) should not be buried under the gravel. Check out a book form the library on plants. they have info on that.

That's interesting be/c this website will differ....

http/www.fnzas.org.nz/320+B6JnVzZXJfcGxh...MmFmZGE3.0.html

 

[luxum]

Mondo grass is ~not~ an aquatic plant! It is a marginal plant which is occasionally submerged, but usually grows out of the water, it will not thrive in an aquarium although it is often sold as an aquatic when it isn't. Start with easy, low light plants like anubias, java fern, java moss, and crypts instead. They will grow, reproduce, and some anubias will even flower while completely submersed, although the flower can't be pollinated underwater.

 

[BettaBabe]

Thanks! I will research those plants you've suggested.

BB

 

[luxum]

Gee, re-reading my previous response it seems awfully emphatic, sorry! Mondo grass tends to hang on when submersed for awhile, then becomes completely covered in algae, and finally dies off. I just didn't want you to have a bad plant experience the first time.

I think you will find that real plants in your tank will make it even more beautiful, and your fish will exhibit less stress and feel more secure.

The easy ones i mentioned are what i grow, they don't need a lot of light, don't demand a great substrate, and tolerate a wide variety of water conditions. They are also all very interesting species in their own way. A word of caution - don't bury the rhizome (the stem/trunk that all the leaf petioles originate from) of any species that have them, just the roots. And don't be alarmed if new crypts lose all their leaves to "crypt melt" when they are first planted, or when their conditions change too drastically. Just remove the melted leaf material as much as possible, leave the plant alone, and it will grow new leaves suited to it's environment, sometimes appearing quite different.

There are quite a few more plants you could use, look for low light plants at first if your lighting is about 1 watt per gallon. With 2 watts per gallon you can grow the medium light plants. With 3 watts per gallon you can grow all but the most demanding species, but then you are into the realm of fertilizers, CO2 injection, and daily pruning because high light species are mostly very fast growing.

 

[modernhamlet]

Start with easy, low light plants like anubias, java fern, java moss, and crypts instead.

As a newbie who's first tank is heavily planted, I definitely encourage you to go with live plants. They are not difficult to keep, make the tank look incredible, and if healthy, add a substantial level of cycle stability to a tank.

In addition to luxum's suggestions, try dwarf hygrophila, thai onion, and (if you want a floating plant) riccia fluitans.

Check out this website for more info: http/www.aquamaniacs.net/ProvenPerformer...aticPlants.html

 

[Sky042]

I'd suggest something like anarchis. You can buy a bundle for about $1-$2. and for the most part you can't kill it. It grows very fast and is rather hardy. You can plant it or let it float. I bought 1 small bundle of anarchis about 1 month ago. had about 5 stalks in it roughly 6 inches tall. I now have about 15 stalks about 8 inches tall(when it gets too tall just pinch it off and replant the piece you pinched off)