Tank Grass

[ukclaire]

At my (new) fish shop there is a massive tank and it has grass on the bottom instead of gravel/sand.

Anyone with any experience of this...? I would like a little "garden" for my fish.

Is it normal grass...? How do you cut it...? any major problems associated with it...?

Thanks in advance.

Claire

[Alex]

There are several types of aquatic "grass" plants. Some of the more popular ones are Dwarf Sag(Sagittaria subulata-dwarf), Micro Sword(Lilaeopsis novaezelandiae) or Chain Sword(Echinodorus tenellus). Most of them require high light to grow well >2wpg. If you search on these names you can find pictures so you can identify the one in your LFS. You don't normally cut these but they do require some maintenance, usually thinning after a while.

Alex

[Captain Hook]

You forgot dwarf hairgrass. Not really a grass look but glosso is another high light groundcover plant.

[ukclaire]

Hullo.

Had a quick look at those suggestions and the closest is MicroSword.

Imagine a bog standard typical english lawn - it looked like that.

Cheers
Claire

[Captain Hook]

Oh yea I also forgot riccia flutians, which is could have easily been. It floats but can be attached to plates that stay submerged.

Here are some AGA entries that I have found with a lawn look:

http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/?&op=showcase&category=0&vol=1&id=49

http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/?&op=showcase&category=0&vol=2&id=24

http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/?&op=showcase&category=0&vol=2&id=43

http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/?&op=showcase&category=0&vol=2&id=83

[beviking]

Originally posted by ukclaire
Imagine a bog standard typical english lawn - it looked like that.

Cheers
Claire

You wouldn't have a link to one of those would you? I haven't had the opportunity to see other beautiful lands of the world personally (yes I have seen pictures in books!)but I would like to know what a "bog standard typical english lawn" looks like. Thanks!

Bill

[tomm10]

FWIW I have microsword in a 10g tank with 20 watts of light. It grows well as long as I make sure that there is nothing in the tank blocking their light like the leaves of other plants.

I know some places sell microsword in big groups instead of the little clumps you usually see. I believe it will actually spread too in the proper set up.

[ukclaire]

I am pretty sure its Lilaeopsis brasiliensis but I will check when I next go to the shop.

As for pics of an english gardens - havent got any on this PC will get some at christmas if you wnat:

http://www.cotswolds.info/images/gardens/barnsley1.jpg

Do a search for Cotswolds, english gardens and I am sure some stuff will come up. I live in the costwolds. :)


Thanks

Claire

[beviking]

GORGEOUS! Love those stone walls! Thank you Claire!

Bill