View Full Version : Plants For A 10G?
Hello everyone. This is my first time in the Planted Aquariums section.
I have a 10 gallon tank, and I'm hoping to put some low maintenance plants in it. I'm unsure of my lighting, since the bulb doesn't say how many watts. All I know is that it's an Eclipse Natural Daylight 18" light in the hood. I can't afford a Co2 system, so if I need Co2 it will have to be DIY. Right now I have an under gravel filter, which I know won't work with plants. I'm hoping to change it out for an AC 30. The substrate is gravel at the moment. I'm willing to change the gravel out for a better substrate, though nothing too expensive.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
clb2196
07-23-2009, 4:30 PM
That's basically what I'm hoping to do with my 10, I have 15 watts. I just have gravel, and I have ferts and Excel from my other tank, but I haven't used it. My plants (besides the few in there) are waiting for me at home, so I'll let ya know how it works for me.
psyche
07-23-2009, 4:53 PM
I have low tech 5gs with no ferts and no CO2 and have no trouble growing plants, in fact if anything they grow too much. I have red tiger lotus, babytears, dwarf hair grass, java fern, duck weed and a few others things (broad leaf, mosses and grasses of some type) I don't know the name of. If you need any plants I have plenty of extras sprouting off runners.
NorCalFish
07-23-2009, 4:56 PM
low light plants such as java ferns work well.
i have a 10g and i have amazon swords in it only because they seem to root better in the gravel i have in that tank...
rocker92
07-23-2009, 5:04 PM
vals, java fern, java moss, anuibas, ludwiga, crypts. just to name a few!
Oh, I'll have to look into those.
Hebily
07-24-2009, 2:19 PM
There are a lot of low light plants that will work well... My favorites are anubias, javafern, and marimo.
clb2196
07-24-2009, 2:23 PM
Oh yes, I <3 marimo balls. :D 1 in every tank, but I want more.
There are a lot of low light plants that will work well... My favorites are anubias, javafern, and marimo.
Should I do a DIY Co2, or just leave it be? I like Java Fern, so that's definitely on the list. I've heard Java Fern won't grow in gravel. Is that true?
Oh yes, I <3 marimo balls. :D 1 in every tank, but I want more.
I just looked up the Marimo. That's so cool. I'll definitely add it to the list of possibilities.
Bubbles2112
07-24-2009, 2:26 PM
You can go great with anubius plants and there are a few different kinds that look differently enough so it appears that you have many different plants--anubius peitite and anubius nana spring to mind. Moss tied to lava rocks (the kind found in stores for grilling) and anacharis are really good plants that do not require much for good growth.
Hebily
07-24-2009, 2:28 PM
Java fern does better attached to something like driftwood, but it will grow in anything... I had a baby plant take root and start growing in a filter intake.:o
Just don't bury any thing except the roots.
And I don't use co2 or ferts. I've heard it will grow faster with them... But it is not neccessary.
You can go great with anubius plants and there are a few different kinds that look differently enough so it appears that you have many different plants--anubius peitite and anubius nana spring to mind. Moss tied to lava rocks (the kind found in stores for grilling) and anacharis are really good plants that do not require much for good growth.
Ah, thank you. I'll look those up.
Java fern does better attached to something like driftwood, but it will grow in anything... I had a baby plant take root and start growing in a filter intake.:o
Just don't bury any thing except the roots.
And I don't use co2 or ferts. I've heard it will grow faster with them... But it is not neccessary.
I wonder if I can get or find a small enough piece of driftwood. That would be great.
clb2196
07-24-2009, 2:32 PM
In a smaller low light tank, you probably wouldn't need any co2. Or you could try Excel.
And Hebily, stay away from me with those gorgeous pearl gouramis. :p: It makes me jealous.
dinosue
07-24-2009, 2:33 PM
I have duck weed, java moss, ludwigia repens, e. tellenus red, anacharis, brazilian sword and willow hygro in my 10 gal. I have two 15 watt daylight bulbs (purchased from Target) but no CO2. I have plain gravel for substrate. I dose flourish excel everyday and flourish once a week - some people say anacharis can melt by excel, but mine seem to like it. They all grow very well (not too slow or not too fast), but I started seeing hair algae bloom recently, and I am trying to figure out what the cause is, also thinking about setting up a DIY CO2.
I really like ludwigia and e. tellnus turning pink; it gives my tank a nice contrast. My plants mostly came from local petsmart and AC members.
clb2196
07-24-2009, 2:37 PM
dinosue, I had some hair algae in my 29 when it was pretty new. Manually scraping and spot treatmeant with Excel (with a baster) took care of it.
Without co2, even with it really, there will probably be algae in the beginning until you find the right balance for everything, which depends on your exact sertup.
dinosue, I had some hair algae in my 29 when it was pretty new. Manually scraping and spot treatmeant with Excel (with a baster) took care of it.
Without co2, even with it really, there will probably be algae in the beginning until you find the right balance for everything, which depends on your exact sertup.
I was worried about hair algae, so that helps a lot. Everything with aquariums is about balance, isn't it?
clb2196
07-24-2009, 2:40 PM
I was worried about hair algae, so that helps a lot. Everything with aquariums is about balance, isn't it?
Very much so. :D
I think the key to a nice looking planted tank is a nice color balance, but also a nice mix of textures and leaf size/shape.
Hebily
07-24-2009, 2:45 PM
Also about the proper balance of plants and fish for both visual appeal, and a symbiotic effect. Plants make the water better for the fish and provide hiding places. Fish provide nutrients for the plants and help them propagate...
Very much so. :D
I think the key to a nice looking planted tank is a nice color balance, but also a nice mix of textures and leaf size/shape.
Yeah, that's true. Different shades, textures, and sizes add depth. This tank is in my bedroom, so I want it to look peaceful. Right now, the fake plants and decorations make it look...rough.
dinosue
07-24-2009, 2:47 PM
dinosue, I had some hair algae in my 29 when it was pretty new. Manually scraping and spot treatmeant with Excel (with a baster) took care of it.
Without co2, even with it really, there will probably be algae in the beginning until you find the right balance for everything, which depends on your exact sertup.
Thanks for the tip.
Just when I thought my battle against ugly brown diatom is over, (I was happy for about a week to see such a beautiful clean tank) now it came back with even uglier one!
I tried to cut down the photo period, but didn't seem to work (looked even worse), also tried to cut down flourish twice to once a week - maybe working/or not sure yet. I am also going to do a major clean up this weekend - soaking plants in a diluted bleach solution and scrub off all those hairy things. Do you think this is a good idea?
P.S- sorry zbbal, not to intend to hijack the thread.
Also about the proper balance of plants and fish for both visual appeal, and a symbiotic effect. Plants make the water better for the fish and provide hiding places. Fish provide nutrients for the plants and help them propagate...
My Red Eye Tetra will be moving to my 35 gallon, so I'm also thinking about what fish will do best in this tank. I really do want it to be balanced, so it will make my room more peaceful.
Thanks for the tip.
Just when I thought my battle against ugly brown diatom is over, (I was happy for about a week to see such a beautiful clean tank) now it came back with even uglier one!
I tried to cut down the photo period, but didn't seem to work (looked even worse), also tried to cut down flourish twice to once a week - maybe working/or not sure yet. I am also going to do a major clean up this weekend - soaking plants in a diluted bleach solution and scrub off all those hairy things. Do you think this is a good idea?
P.S- sorry zbbal, not to intend to hijack the thread.
Don't worry about hijacking my thread. It's fine.:D
Hebily
07-24-2009, 3:03 PM
What I would do with a tank that size is put in a school of neons, or endlers, or guppies and with any of those I would put in a few ghost shrimp. Vals on the sides, and a mix of java fern and anubias through the middle.. prolly on a relatively (to the tank) large piece of driftwood shared by all of them. Or, depending on how the tank is layed out, I might do the vals in a 'curtain' along the back wall, and two small pieces of driftwood with anubias and java fern, one on each end, with dwarf hairgrass or a carpet of tawain moss in the middle... But that's just me...
clb2196
07-24-2009, 3:05 PM
What I would do with a tank that size is put in a school of neons, or endlers, or guppies and with any of those I would put in a few ghost shrimp. Vals on the sides, and a mix of java fern and anubias through the middle.. prolly on a relatively (to the tank) large piece of driftwood shared by all of them. Or, depending on how the tank is layed out, I might do the vals in a 'curtain' along the back wall, and two small pieces of driftwood with anubias and java fern, one on each end, with dwarf hairgrass or a carpet of tawain moss in the middle... But that's just me...
I have black substrate in my 10, and I used it as a QT for cardinal tetras. With some plants and a black background, I think cardinals or neons would look amazing. If I hadn't wanted puffers so much, I would've kept them in there.
And I like the val curtain idea.
I have black substrate in my 10, and I used it as a QT for cardinal tetras. With some plants and a black background, I think cardinals or neons would look amazing. If I hadn't wanted puffers so much, I would've kept them in there.
And I like the val curtain idea.
Oh, Cardinals or Neons would like great with a black background. I remember you mentioning your Dwarf Puffers in my other thread. I like that idea, too.
What I would do with a tank that size is put in a school of neons, or endlers, or guppies and with any of those I would put in a few ghost shrimp. Vals on the sides, and a mix of java fern and anubias through the middle.. prolly on a relatively (to the tank) large piece of driftwood shared by all of them. Or, depending on how the tank is layed out, I might do the vals in a 'curtain' along the back wall, and two small pieces of driftwood with anubias and java fern, one on each end, with dwarf hairgrass or a carpet of tawain moss in the middle... But that's just me...
That's a great idea. Thank you!