Leafy rather than rooty plants

[njparton]

When I put my tank together it never crossed my mind to use any other substrate than gravel, hence it's a bit hit and miss whether some of my plants do well or indeed survive.

I'm therefore looking for recommendations for aquatic plants (readily available in the UK) that rely on their leaves rather than roots for the intake of nutrients (any that are particularly good at taking in nitrates would be a bonus!).

Thanks in advance

 

[odjbo]

Hi there NJ,

These plants can grow without having their roots in the substrate:

Rhizome must be out of substrate. You can attach these to rocks or bog-wood

ANUBIAS Species

BOLBITIS (Congo Fern - Both species)

Java Fern

Floating plants, can also be attached to objects in your tank with cotton or fine fishing line:

Fairy Moss

Java Moss

Ceratophyllum (Both Sp)

I was going to suggest Cabomba, as this plant absorbs nutrients through it's leaves, but it requires some light ! (and alos spawns roots)

Hope this helps get you started...



D.

 

[njparton]

Hi there NJ,

These plants can grow without having their roots in the substrate:

Rhizome must be out of substrate. You can attach these to rocks or bog-wood

ANUBIAS Species

BOLBITIS (Congo Fern - Both species)

Java Fern

Floating plants, can also be attached to objects in your tank with cotton or fine fishing line:

Fairy Moss

Java Moss

Ceratophyllum (Both Sp)

I was going to suggest Cabomba, as this plant absorbs nutrients through it's leaves, but it requires some light ! (and alos spawns roots)

Hope this helps get you started...



D.

That's great advice.

I have 2 tubes on for ~10 hours/day, so light shouldn't be a problem.

I already have a plant (sold as an "onion" plant...?) who's leaves reach and cover part of the surface, so I'm really looking for something I either plant in the gravel or attach to a rock or something...

 

[odjbo]

Yes, the Crinum Thaianum, or Thailand Onion Plant is NOT a good idea for a small tank, with leaves upto 1.5 meters !

If I think of any other attachable plants, I'll post them here.

D.

 

[njparton]

Yes, the Crinum Thaianum, or Thailand Onion Plant is NOT a good idea for a small tank, with leaves upto 1.5 meters !

If I think of any other attachable plants, I'll post them here.

D.

Thanks.

A pair of scisors comes in handy with that plant!

 

[njparton]

Well, just been out and bought two bunches of ferns and a healthy looking Echinodorus macrophyllus.

I'm also thinking of upgrading my lighting as I have two 25W Triton 30" tubes which I think is lower than the 2 watts/gallon rule of thumb.

I think my tank is the equivalent of 30 gallons (?) so I need another 10 watts of lighting?

 

[StiX]

U could always stick another 25w on there if u have room? I like that u've gone with the triton tubes, they are really good ! Now Interpet have got a new tube out for plants, i think it was called daylight white, but i'm not sure, havent heard any comments on it yet tho.

 

[njparton]

U could always stick another 25w on there if u have room? I like that u've gone with the triton tubes, they are really good ! Now Interpet have got a new tube out for plants, i think it was called daylight white, but i'm not sure, havent heard any comments on it yet tho.

Actually, most of my stuff was passed on from a relative so I can't take credit for choosing Trition tubes.

I do have room in the lid for a third, along with all the associated hardware.

What would compliment 2x25W 30" Triton tubes best?

Can you only buy 25W 30" tubes or are more powerful 30" tubes available? (can't seem to find any...).

 

[mrV]

that rely on their leaves rather than roots for the intake of nutrients (any that are particularly good at taking in nitrates would be a bonus!).

Ceratopteris cornuta
Ceratopteris thalictroides
Hydrocytole leucocephala
Hygrophila polysperma
Lemna minor
Limnophila sessiliflora
Shinnersia rivularis

If I understood right: You want to have plants, that takes nutrient from water (not by roots from bottom). C. cornuta and thalictroides are not planted in bottom..

 

[njparton]

that rely on their leaves rather than roots for the intake of nutrients (any that are particularly good at taking in nitrates would be a bonus!).

Ceratopteris cornuta
Ceratopteris thalictroides
Hydrocytole leucocephala
Hygrophila polysperma
Lemna minor
Limnophila sessiliflora
Shinnersia rivularis

If I understood right: You want to have plants, that takes nutrient from water (not by roots from bottom). C. cornuta and thalictroides are not planted in bottom..

Many thanks

 

[odjbo]

Also, bear in mind that the spectrum in the tubes degrades over time and the rule of thumb is change your tubes once a year, preferably 8 to 10 months !!!

D.

 

[njparton]

Also, bear in mind that the spectrum in the tubes degrades over time and the rule of thumb is change your tubes once a year, preferably 8 to 10 months !!!

D.

That's a new one on me - I'll bear it in mind.

 

[mrV]

Yeah, it's true. If you have like 3 tubes, change each of them every 6 months:

1. tube
2. t
3. t

6. months later:

1. changed tube
2. old
3. old

6 months later:

1. old
2. changed
3. old

6 months later:

1. old
2. old
3. changed
...

Don't change all of them in the same time -> It could cause algae problem and even plants don't like it.

 

[njparton]

Well I'm going to my LFS on my way home tommorrow - shall I just buy another Triton tube or is there another type of 30" I should try and get?

 

[odjbo]

See if you can find a Floral Spectrum specific tube.

Perhaps Flora-Glo.

D.