Plants with no substrate

[325Pilot]

Which plants don't need anything more than gravel to grow into? I know that some plants just have roots to anchor and don't get many nutrients from them. I don't want to use a substrate other than gravel because it would probably get sucked through the grate on my undergravel filtration. I am assuming that Java moss, fern, and anubias nana don't need a substrate since they can grow into wood or rocks.. what others?


Thanks!
Brian Jagger

 

[endparenthesis]

Many crypts, anacharis, hygrophilia... those are a few others I have experience with that do fine in gravel.

 

[lizard]

I think many plants will do fine growing in gravel. Mine did when I had gravel. However, undergravel filtration isn't the best choice if you're going to have plants. I believe it causes problems with their roots (although I don't remember for sure). You could always pot the plants.

Pamela
aka Married Lizard

 

[325Pilot]

If I don't have undergravel filtration, doln't I risk getting spots where anaerobic bacteria builds up? I don't really need it, I just use it to keep that from happening, I have a power filter that hangs off of the back.

 

[lizard]

If I don't have undergravel filtration, doln't I risk getting spots where anaerobic bacteria builds up? I don't really need it, I just use it to keep that from happening, I have a power filter that hangs off of the back.

Anaerobic bacteria are supposed to grow in the bottom of the gravel/sand, I do believe (someone please correct me if I'm wrong). Anaerobic bacteria aren't a problem. A problem that can happen with sand substrate is a build-up of hydrogen sulfide gas (I think that's it) which can be harmful to fish, and my guess is that this is what you're thinking of. To prevent that (the hydrogen sulfide build-up, not you thinking , you simply "mix up" the sand a little bit every week or so by running something like a chopstick through it. The roots of the plants will also help keep the hydrogen sulfide pockets from forming. The hydrogen sulfide pockets aren't a problem with gravel substrate.

Did that make any sense at all?

Pamela
aka Married Lizard

 

[clutterydrawer]

Just plant what you want but fertilise with root tabs

 

[endparenthesis]

From what I've heard, those pockets don't get dangerous with substrates under 1.5-2" deep.

 

[lucky62]

Many crypts, anacharis, hygrophilia... those are a few others I have experience with that do fine in gravel.

me too . I agree

I also use U G filter , 10 years now .

Also have malayian snails moving through the gravel substrate2" + .

I have crypts as well as java fern , anubias java moss and African water fern .

 

[yhbae]

Does dwarf sagittaria also grow ok in a gravel without any special nutrients other than nitrates in the water?