Where Do I Plant Ceratopteris Thalictroides (lace Fern)

[Duzzy]

Hi there,

bought some lace fern Ceratopteris thalictroides today just loved the look of it but am unsure if it goes in the substrate or on the hardscape and where back front or mid tank

Regards Darren

 

[RadaR]

I wouldn't call it Lace Fern. Water Sprite is more common.
Here is a link for Ceratopteris Thalictroides.
You place it into the gravel. It will soon get very large and bushy. So I would suggest placing it towards the back

 

[Duzzy]

thanks for that it is a really pretty plant..........

 

[Colin_T]

it's actually a floating plant that can grow up to 3ft in diameter. However it also does really well planted in the gravel. I keep some on the surface and plant small plants along the front and middle of the tank. When they get too big I take them out and replace them with smaller ones.

I had a 2ft tank with white gravel and planted it up with water sprite. I had 1 big female black molly in it and she used to chuck out babies everywhere. The contrast between the black mollies, white gravel and the green of the plant was quite stunning.

I also had a plant turn into a virtual mothership in my 4x2x2ft tank. The plant covered the entire surface and the roots took hold in the gravel. The top of the plant was about 12 inches above the water surface. It was huge. I tried to take it to my lFS but it didn't fit in a fish esky so I stuck the roots in the esky and carried this thing to the shop. There were leaves hanging out all over the place. The shop put it in a pond and over the next week sold over 200 smaller plants from it.

One of my favourite plants

 

[Duzzy]

Thats awesome, I am worried about light though at the momment only have 1.25 wpg is that enough?

 

[Colin_T]

it is fine in low light or bright light. The 2ft tank I had it in only got a couple of hours of indirect sunlight per day. No artificialy lighting at all.

 

[Duzzy]

cool thanks colin thats a refief and when the co2 kicks in should be awesome