Who Gives A Fish Forums

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

polarwolf wrote: ↑Sat May 17, 2025 12:27 am 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.

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

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.

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