Idiot proof ground covers

M

Mr. Pez

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Dec 28, 2002
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Toronto, Canada
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I need help choosing plants for my 90 gallon.

So far the only living things in my tank are:
-1 green arowana
-Clump of java fern on a piece of driftwood
-Algea

I'm looking for a nice ground cover that doesn't require much light or substrate additives (I was fighting cloudy and green water for a while using Laterite) and also grows fast (Not tall - just fast enough to cover the bottom in a short amount of time). If it grows in plain gravel that would be AMAZING.

Other than Java ferns and algea, I have no other successful experiences with plants - CO2 and fertilization are foreign concepts to me.

Any help on this topic would be much appreciated.

Thanks a bunch
 
Welcome to the forums, I'm from Toronto too. As far as I know you are very limited to low ground covers that grow well in low light. What kind of light are you talking about, how much and what kind?

I know you could get java moss to grow along the bottom by tying it down. If you have enough low dwarf sag may be a possibility. Then as you get to high to really high light other options such as dwarf hairgrass, riccia and glosso become available.
 
Most fast growing plants require brighter light. Also, most ground covers require brighter light - which is partly what helps them spread horizontally rather than vertically. That said, it is doubly hard to find a fast growing, ground cover-plant that uses low lights.

Java moss, as mentioned, would work if tied to rocks.

It is not fast growing, but just about hte most attractive plant (imo) that meets your other needs, is anubias nana. YOu can plant it in the substrate (just not the rhizome) or can attach it to driftwood and rocks. It is slow growing and stays relatively low.
 
I'll agree with the A. nana being the only low light potential carpet other than Java moss (which will attach to gravel BTW). But I would not want to have pay for the A. nana to carpet a sizeable tank - massive investment there. Java moss can be a maintenance issue with trying to vacuum, keeping filter intakes clear, etc,
 
Thanks for the replies and the warm welcome...I've been using this forum for years (since 98)....Just haven't been posting much/if at all because of medical reasons, school, and previous board crashes...Always a great board to come back to which is why I'm back.

As for light, I have 1 40 watt aqua-glo fluorescent bulb, and the tank faces south so it gets natural sunlight all day too (I know it's underpowered but the canopy that came with the package only can power 1 bulb). I also can't use high light because it tends to make Mushu (my green arowana) jump like crazy for some reason.

I'm thinking Java moss might be my only option

Thanks again for the replies
 
I do use Java moss in some veggie filters (bare bottom) and in one goldfish tank. It is do-able and looks pretty good, but I just have to keep an eye on the pump/filter intakes to avoid clogging.
 
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