Best Plants for a 5-Gallon Tank

[polarwolf]

I'm setting up a 5-gallon tank and wanna keep it simple with plants. What's the best low-maintenance stuff that won't outgrow the space too fast? I've got a basic LED light, no CO2, and sand substrate.

[darkfire]

Anubias Nana or Java Fern are solid picks. They don't need much light, and you can tie 'em to driftwood or rocks. Just don't bury the rhizome or they'll rot.

[mirroron]

I'd add Cryptocoryne Wendtii to that list. It's slow-growing and comes in a few colors. Just keep an eye on the roots, they can melt if you move them too much.

[KaloraX]

Moss balls are kinda fun if you want zero effort. They just roll around and look weirdly cute. Plus, shrimp love 'em.

[nifty]

Dwarf Sagittaria could work if you want a grassy look. It spreads but not too aggressively in a small tank.

[polarwolf]

Thanks for the suggestions, folks. Gonna start with Anubias and maybe a moss ball. Any tips on keeping the algae down with these?

[mirroron]

Thanks for the suggestions, folks. Gonna start with Anubias and maybe a moss ball. Any tips on keeping the algae down with these?

Keep your light on for no more than 6-8 hours a day and avoid overfeeding. A few nerite snails could help too.

[darkfire]

Yep, what mirroron said. Also, if you're using liquid ferts, go easy. Too much and you'll get a green mess.

[KaloraX]

I've had luck with floating plants like Frogbit. They shade the tank a bit and suck up excess nutrients. Just gotta trim 'em now and then.

[nifty]

If you're gonna add snails, make sure your tank's cycled. They're sensitive to ammonia spikes.