Easy As Pie

[Themuleous]

Hi people

Until I have enough money, time, energy, (and the rest!) to get all of my tanks to look like the ones I see on here, can anyone recommend a few easy to keep non-stem plants? I mean no ferts, little light, only gravel substrate, no CO2, etc. I am aware that in many ways this will be a loosing battle, but I just don’t have to the resources to invest to get them all going, but at the same time really like the affect real plants give. Am gonna start with my small tank and try EI and then move onto the others when I've got the hang of it.

Thanks all

Sam

 

[George Farmer]

Hygrophila polysperma, Egeria densa (Elodea), possibly some Ludwigia species, Limnophila sessiflora could all grow ok with minimal light and nutrients.

 

[Themuleous]

Cheers George,

Any ideas for plant Im not going to have to re-plant all the time? any potted ones for example?

Sam

 

[George Farmer]

....any potted ones for example?

Plants should be removed from the pots prior to planting.

I think you're refering to plants that grow from a rhizome or bulb. Most Crypts and some Swords can grow ok with little light, they do need a thick, nutrient-rich substrate though. Some Nymphaea bulbs (lily) can also do ok in lower lighting.

 

[Themuleous]

Yeh will remove the pots. I'll give those species a try and see what happens. I guess it'll probably be a bit of trial and error, see what works! Ill order a load online to get them cheeper.

Thanks again

Sam

 

[Jen]

can anyone recommend a few easy to keep non-stem plants?

You could try some anubias. They dont need tons of light, and you can tie it on to stones and wood. I do plant mine in the sand, being careful not to plant the rhimzome (sp?). You should be able to grow Val in the tank as well.

 

[George Farmer]

can anyone recommend a few easy to keep non-stem plants?

You could try some anubias. They dont need tons of light, and you can tie it on to stones and wood. I do plant mine in the sand, being careful not to plant the rhimzome (sp?). You should be able to grow Val in the tank as well.

Whoops, sorry - I misread "non-stem" for "stem" - hence the list of stem plants in my first reply .

As Jen says, Anubias is good for attaching to decor, the same with Java ferns and mosses.

 

[Themuleous]

Jen/George

Cool thanks for the pointers. As I said I'll see what I do. One quick questions thou, I thought mosses (i assume that includes java moss?) need quite high light?

Sam

 

[George Farmer]

I thought mosses (i assume that includes java moss?) need quite high light?

Not really. Check out this, lit with one 18W T8 tube -

http/www.aquaticplantcentral.com/contest...howentry&id=134

 

[Themuleous]

Blimey! Worth a shot then!

S

 

[Jen]

Wow. That is beautiful. Just stunning. If I can get my moss to look like that I would be one happy girl!

 

[simonbrown403]

Wow thats my sort of tank, i just wish i coulld find some nice wood.

 

[Themuleous]

Jen,

You're right, an amazing tank

Not the 'normal' kind of layout, makes it look like you're swimming between the trees in the amazon just after the rains, I guess thats the idea! Think I might try something similar when I get round to doing my big tank.

Sam

 

[Themuleous]

If I were to add some anubias and java moss, would they benefit from weekly Leaf Zome? or is there little point doing this unless all the rest is right eg enough light, other naturients, proper substrate?

Thanks

Sam

 

[Jen]

You will have to add a fertalizer of some sort to the tank, since neither of thos plants are planted in the gravel, the liquid is the only way they will take in the nutrients they need.