suggestions for a tall plant in 20g

I have a 20 gallon long tank with swordtails, about 2 neons, and java (black khuli) loaches.

My setup included a pack of hybrid aponogeton bulbs from walmart and a pack of dwarf lilly bulbs, and a large resin driftwood sculpture in the corner.

well the burrowing curious loaches found the hollow insides of the sculpture and couldnt find a way out so i was forced to remove it. NOw i have a huge hole in my composition.

Also, my lillys have all but died. I have one large cluster apongeton that is doing well and one small single one that drops (?) floating baby plants about every 3-6 months but it doesn't look to great either.

I also have a smattering of java moss .. well everywhere. It is doing well. of course. but then again its also growing quite happily in my bucket under the desk in the dark I use to hold water changes to water my plants with... and in my terrarium.. in some of my wetter plant's pots. in the sink.. etc.

I am looking for a tall plant. 12" -15" or so, the depth of the water in the 20 gallon. I would like to use it to fill that corner.

I would really prefer it to be as hardy and easy to take care of. I was thinking of getting some more aponogeton but those hybrid bulbs are so variable. most that ive seen just create a bloom and die back requiring refrigerated rest within 2-4 weeks.

any suggestions?


-edit-

forgot something.. I have a low-med light tank. a 20w bulb grow light

I sort of like the Anacharis. Is this a good price for way too more than I need? And, I assume, since this is coming from a pond, how might i prepare it for tank use.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=66794&item=4377595832&rd=1

I also like the hornwort, but ive been reading of the shedding issues on here. this would not be good since i already have problems with rotting vegetation.

the big apog. in the corner routinely gives up on a leaf especially if i cant get to it easily so it ends up rotting off before i even notice it.

thanks for your suggestions

as a side thought. researching those plants ive noticed something. don't you find it ironic that the plants we prize for aquariums are some of the most detested and hated weed plants in the wild. Yet, we pay lots of money for them.

I thought i was the only person that read Anacharis as antichrist at first. They are fighting to keep it in control in several places.

This just goes to prove. DO NOT RELEASE your livestock or plants into the wild UNLESS thats where you found it. In that case make sure you release it into the same wild.

foopooh said:

Also, they're supposedly nitrate sponges and fast growers.

Click to expand...

oh good, i got a nitrate problem also .. that and the java moss should help. of course my homebrew denitrator is nearing peak effiency now. every little bit helps i guess.

Nope, my lfs barely carries fish. i shold be going by petsmart tomarrow. ill try their. although that brings up another question...

whats the best way to sterilize /quarantene new plants? people i bought java moss from said they soaked in Potassium permanganate before shipping. It is supposed to be an oxidizer like bleach (sodium hypochlorate?) but weaker and slower acting. What about using oxy clean I've seen some people mentioning on here? If that will work how should i treat?

Thanks,