Aquarium Grass Carpets

[LondonguyJ]

Hey all

I have been looking into getting what to me looks like a grass carpeted aquarium. But I have no idea where to begin. Prior to last night and a conversation with "nosoup4you" via the chat feature I figured you needed some type of plastic base to hold the grass in place. But again, I know nothing about this side of the aquarium hobby so your input as always is needed.

I got so far as dwarf hair grass but was told that the honey gouramis I plan to keep would consume that within days

The stock I plan on keeping is as follows

6 bloodfin tetra
6 lemon tetra
3 honey gourami
1 balloon molly
1 guppy
2 Japanese algae shrimp
1 red cherry shrimp

But this could be subject to change

J

 

[anshuman]

I was going to suggest Riccia but that too is termed "Delicious" by many fish. Try Dwarf. Sag. it doesnt go bushy but look v cool if you have big tank. v hardy plant.

 

[LondonguyJ]

Dwarf sag? Ok I'll look into that now


Any other suggestions?

 

[pauld]

Dwarf sag? Ok I'll look into that now


Any other suggestions?

have a look at Echinodorous Tenellus / pygmy chain sword / mudbabies .

 

[ian]

have a read of this...

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=101806&st=0

good luck with it J, and if you do deciede to do remember to take some pics.

 

[LondonguyJ]

have a look at Echinodorous Tenellus / pygmy chain sword / mudbabies .

Thanks a bunch! Do you think my stock will consume those? Because it's rare to see any planted tank with anything larger than tetras. So I've been wondering if I'm stretching things by trying to get the carpet.

have a read of this...

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=101806&st=0

good luck with it J, and if you do deciede to do remember to take some pics.

Good grief!!!



ianho that's a great find. Particularly as it looks like you can take it out.

 

[LondonguyJ]

I'd like to cover the whole aquarium floor but I first need to decide on a species of grass that won't be eaten. So for now I'm kinda stuck

 

[LondonguyJ]

Has anyone kept a grass carpet base with honey gourami?

 

[Rlon35]

Dwarf sag? Ok I'll look into that now


Any other suggestions?

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Dwarf sag grows pretty long,so know that, but it will cover everything. Just keep in mind that what you want to be a lawn, will look like the rough at the golf course instead of the green, so to speak. If you have a deeper tank, this is no problem, but I didn't like the way it looked in me 55g. If you have shrimp and bottom dwelling species that you like to view, dawrf sag is not ideal. I've heard there are a few forms of dwarf sag, so perhaps ask on of these experts what the most compact lawn is for you.

 

[LondonguyJ]

Cheers Rion

This is becoming a daunting task because I have zero experience and there seems to be a huge variations of grass type plants that I'm starting to get a little confused. So I think I'll scrap what I've learned and start again with 4 basic requirements

1. I would like to have a lawn effect at the base of my aquarium.

2. It's essential that I get a species that is compatible/wont be consumed by my stock list (see initial post for list)

3. A grass/plant that doesn't grow to high or one that requires a co2 injection system as I'll dose the aquarium with liquid fertz and liquid co2

4. And finally one that I can grow on something external so that I can remove with ease and trim when necessary.

I promise lots of pics and at least one vid to show my gratitude.

*Sits and waits patiently on advice*

J

 

[Nick16]

well, your looking at riccia, mosses or pellia mate.

there are hundreds of types of mosses to choose from so thats easy. plus mosses will grow easier than riccia tbh

you will struggle to grow the usual... glosso, HC, echinodorus tenellus, elocharis sp. because they need really good co2 and a massive amount of flow to get nutients to them. plus a decent nutritious substrate wont go a miss!

if i were you, i would get either

java moss
xmas moss
spikey moss
flame moss

to start. and see if you can grow it. if it goes really leggy with a lack of fronds, you need to up your co2 and ferts!

 

[LondonguyJ]

Hey guys...

Ive decided on Java moss because from what I've read they are least likely to be eaten by my stock. I have ordered everything I need from ebay but am still left with a few questions.

As it stands there is about 2" of gravel in my aquarium. Would I need to lower or raise this prior to adding the carpet and if so, then why?

Also I'm in the middle of a fishless cycle would you recommend adding the java now or waiting until the cycle is complete?

J

 

[BethK]

It is suggested that 2inches of substrate is needed for any planted tank. I take it that you will be using carpet netting, IMO sand substrate would be much easier for the moss to route down with a netting,not tried gravel, so can't comment.

 

[Nick16]

given the right conditions moss will do fine with any aquarium substrate at 2 inches.

you will be fine mate. moss is a doddle to grow.

 

[lljdma06]

Did you read this?

Step by Step guide to Riccia and Java moss

Might serve your purpose. The thread is also still open, so feel free to ask questions in it.

llj