best plants for 10 gallon?

[Pallen81]

I'm converting a 10 gallon tank into a small experimental planted tank. I've kept plants a long time ago without much success.

The tank has been running for almost a year and here is my water chemistry:
pH: 7.2
temp: 78-84 (my room gets so hot)
Ammonia & Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 20-30ppm
Phosphates: 2.0ppm (i think, haven't tested this in a long time. I know they are generally quite high.)
Penguin 700 Bio Wheel Filter

You might think I have algae problems in this tank, but I don't. hehe. Lights aren't on much and my Oto's get anything that grows.

Anyway, I am planning on using Seachem's Flourite and a Flora-Glo light bulb.
I was looking at Hygrophila polysperma and Java Fern perhaps.

What plants do you think would go well in this setup? anything I'm missing that crucial to plant growing besides CO2. I'm a little clueless, thanks.

[geofied]

Let me preface by saying that I currently have five 10-gallon planted tanks, and one 5.5-gallon tank.

I would suggest going with what you have listed first, and see how things go. You are on the right track to start simply, which is a good thing, and the way it should be. If, after things settle in, you aren't seeing the growth you want, you can consider adding CO2 (DIY is ample for 10g) and possibly fertilizers if you plants seem to be nutrient-deficient. Starting out simple is also a great way to stabilize your tank, without adding too many variables at once and having to troubleshoot if things don't go as hoped/planned.

You may find it helpful reading this FAQ as well:
http://faq.thekrib.com/plant-qa.html

As for plants, not sure what you're after when you say "best plants". You can grow nearly anything you want in a 10g, but size restraints are typically the biggest limiting factor. Large swords are typically not fun in a 10g, as all you see when the grow out is some stems and the leaves covering the tank surface.

You have to consider how much maintenance you want and are willing to do since many stem plants will need trimming more often (given good growth) in the small confines.

Your landscaping intentions need to be considered, of course, when deciding what plants to add. Driftwood, rocks, moss walls, riccia rocks, all are easier to consider at the beginning rather than adding after the fact in a small tank.


For a start, here are some of my favorites:

E. Parviflorus - is perfect for a 10g (or smaller), as it stays compact and is great as a focal point, single or bunches
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.geocities.com/aquaplant_ca/e_parviflorus_trop1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.geocities.com/aquaplant_ca/plantpictures.html&h=315&w=420&sz=30&hl=en&start=1&um=1&tbnid=mS_gkd2uhNQjxM:&tbnh=94&tbnw=125&prev=/images%3Fq%3De.%2Bparviflorus%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D 1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26sa%3DN
and...
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.tropica.dk/catalog/images/productcard/varenr071E_large.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.tropica.dk/productcard_picture.asp%3Fid%3D071E&h=550&w=386&sz=132&hl=en&start=36&um=1&tbnid=7DQO6BYHjPh7IM:&tbnh=133&tbnw=93&prev=/images%3Fq%3De.%2Bparviflorus%26start%3D18%26ndsp% 3D18%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dacti ve%26sa%3DN

Anubias Lanceolata - Just a cool plant, has been very hardy for me, as I've moved it thrice and just keeps growing
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.akwafoto.pl/fotoreport/ostrava2004/rosliny/anubias_lanceolata1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.akwafoto.pl/fotoreport/ostrava2004/wystawa.php&h=366&w=550&sz=66&hl=en&start=14&um=1&tbnid=-MBqPlRPq71uDM:&tbnh=89&tbnw=133&prev=/images%3Fq%3Danubias%2Blanceolata%26svnum%3D10%26u m%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26sa%3DN

Brazilian Pennywort - Grows well for me in all kinds of light, looks like little steps when it grows at an angle. Some fish and shrimp like sitting on the floating lilypad-like leaves. Likes to grow emergent and hangs out of the aquarium if you let it, which I do.
Best web image I can find, picture was taken from the top-down on this page.
http://animal-world.com/encyclo/fresh/plants/StemPlants/BrazilianPennywort.php

[Pallen81]

hey thank you so much. that post was really helpful for me!!! I'm researching each one and getting an idea of what I could do. I dont mind doing cutting plants and doing maintenance. Not a problem.

I forgot to mention that I have super duper hard water. Like its off the charts when I test it. Is that going to be a problem with any of these plants?

Also is the Seachem substrate the best? Eco Complete? Flourite? whats the different between these?

I was under the impression that I put about 2 inches of this substrate on the bottom of the tank and then mix in and top off the substrate with regular small stones. yes? no? THANKS AGAIN!!!