Choosing the right plants for your space
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Emeraldsea - Posts: 92
- Joined: Wed Jan 19, 2022 7:40 pm
Choosing the right plants for your space
Looking to get some plants for my aquarium online, what are some good options?
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Emeraldsea - Posts: 92
- Joined: Wed Jan 19, 2022 7:40 pm
Re: Choosing the right plants for your space
I've got a pic of my tank setup that might give you some ideas
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Emeraldsea - Posts: 92
- Joined: Wed Jan 19, 2022 7:40 pm
Re: Choosing the right plants for your space
Just a quick bump
Re: Choosing the right plants for your space
The plants on the right side, the green ones, appear to be live plants - do you know what type they are? I'm assuming you're looking for something different.
Re: Choosing the right plants for your space
Lighting is crucial for aquarium plants, and I've found that most plants need a decent amount of light to thrive. If you're only turning the lights on for a couple of hours a day, your plants will struggle. I'd recommend keeping the tank lights on for around 10-12 hours a day.
If you notice a lot of green algae, try reducing the light by an hour a day and see how it goes over the next two weeks. If there's no algae, you can increase the lighting period by an hour. If you get a small amount of algae, the lighting time is probably just right.
Some plants, like Ambulia, Hygrophilas, and a few others, will close their leaves up when they've had enough light. When you see this happening, wait an hour after the leaves have closed up, then turn the lights off.
As for plants to try, I've had good luck with Ambulia, Hygrophila polysperma, and Elodia (although be careful with Elodia in winter, as it can fall apart). Hydrilla, common Zorchzon sword plants, and narrow Vallis are also good options. Water Sprite is another great choice, and it can be planted in the substrate or left to float on the surface.
I like to use tall plants like Ambulia, H. polysperma, and Elodia along the back of the tank, while medium-height plants like H. ruba and Rotala macranda work well on the sides. Cryptocorynes are great for adding some color and texture to the tank, and most Zorchzon sword plants make great showpieces.
If you're looking to give your plants a boost, I'd recommend using an iron-based aquarium plant fertiliser. I've used Sera Florena liquid plant fertiliser with good results, and I've found that it's better to use a liquid fertiliser than a tablet. Just be sure to monitor the iron levels with a test kit and keep them at around 1mg/l.
Finally, be mindful of the stress that tank lights can cause for your fish. Try to turn the room light on at least 30 minutes before turning on the tank light, and vice versa when turning them off. This will help reduce the stress on your fish and create a more peaceful environment.
If you notice a lot of green algae, try reducing the light by an hour a day and see how it goes over the next two weeks. If there's no algae, you can increase the lighting period by an hour. If you get a small amount of algae, the lighting time is probably just right.
Some plants, like Ambulia, Hygrophilas, and a few others, will close their leaves up when they've had enough light. When you see this happening, wait an hour after the leaves have closed up, then turn the lights off.
As for plants to try, I've had good luck with Ambulia, Hygrophila polysperma, and Elodia (although be careful with Elodia in winter, as it can fall apart). Hydrilla, common Zorchzon sword plants, and narrow Vallis are also good options. Water Sprite is another great choice, and it can be planted in the substrate or left to float on the surface.
I like to use tall plants like Ambulia, H. polysperma, and Elodia along the back of the tank, while medium-height plants like H. ruba and Rotala macranda work well on the sides. Cryptocorynes are great for adding some color and texture to the tank, and most Zorchzon sword plants make great showpieces.
If you're looking to give your plants a boost, I'd recommend using an iron-based aquarium plant fertiliser. I've used Sera Florena liquid plant fertiliser with good results, and I've found that it's better to use a liquid fertiliser than a tablet. Just be sure to monitor the iron levels with a test kit and keep them at around 1mg/l.
Finally, be mindful of the stress that tank lights can cause for your fish. Try to turn the room light on at least 30 minutes before turning on the tank light, and vice versa when turning them off. This will help reduce the stress on your fish and create a more peaceful environment.
Re: Choosing the right plants for your space
Cryptocorynes are great for beginners, they're pretty easy to care for and come in a variety of species with different sizes and colours. They do well when planted in the substrate and will benefit from root tabs. One thing to keep in mind is that Crypts can be a bit sensitive to changes in their environment, so they might 'melt' when you first introduce them to your tank. However, they'll grow new leaves over time. Considering you have some fake plants in there, Crypts could be a good option to replace them with some live ones.
Re: Choosing the right plants for your space
I've found a great site for inspiration on aquascapes and planted tanks - Tropica Aquarium Plants. They have a ton of layouts and ideas that can really spark some creativity. What I love about the site is that they provide a layout diagram for each scape, along with a list of the plants used. Plus, they have a 'difficulty' rating system that gives you an idea of the requirements for each plant. It's really helpful - if a plant is rated 'easy', you know it'll do well with low-medium light and no co2 injection needed. But if it's 'advanced', you can bet it'll need a high-tech setup. Definitely worth checking out for some inspiration - tropica.com.
Re: Choosing the right plants for your space
For a hassle-free experience, I'd recommend C. wendtii or Rotala rotundifolia - both are relatively easy to care for. C. balansae is another option, but be aware it can grow quite large. Ludwigia ovalis also seems to thrive under average care. Swordplants are a great choice as well. When it comes to mosses, Java is by far the most resilient. I've also had a good experience with Pearlweed - it may grow slowly, but its unique, tiny foliage adds a nice touch.