what plant should i get?

RockabillyChick

RockabillyChick

Kilt-lifter
Nov 5, 2005
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Washington state
i have a 10 gallon tank that is cycling. right now i have 4 plants, 2 lillies, and 2 i can't remember the name of. starts with an A, they're uber common, sold as bulbs in those little packs at walmart.

anyway, i want to get a couple more plants. i want something kind of tall that i can stick in the corner to add some height. i want it to reach the top of the tank, and be real nice and thick, with broad leaves, and really fill in nice. something thats not too demanding. i have hard water, 7.8 pH. very gentle current from the filter.

i also want something smaller i can use to fill in the middle area.

what are some pretty common, easy plants that might fill these needs?
 
RockabillyChick said:
and 2 i can't remember the name of. starts with an A,
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Aponegeton?

Some java fern might suit your needs as a broadleaf plant to fill a corner. The leaves can get fairly large and they are easy to keep.

For something smaller it depends on your lighting. Dwarf sag is about the easiest of the 'filler' plants I've grown.
 
i just have a single, plain, flourecent light. i tried to read the print on it, but it's worn off. it came with the light strip and hood that i got for $5 at a thrift store

it provides plenty of light though because the two lillies, i've had them for about 6 months in a betta bowl and they were growing really long and stringy like they werent getting enough light, since there wasnt a light on the betta bowl and it wasnt near a window or anything. they died back and i put them in my 10 gallon, and now they're sprouting again and they're all short and fat and happy.
 
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Vals do decent in lower light (but depends on how low) and do good in hard water - at least in mine. They are not that broad - but when they are healthy they get to say 1-2cm.

Then there is the onion plant - but from my experience (which is limited on this plant) a 10G is too small. If someone can recommend it for a 10G, then it does well in low light, high ph and hard water (20+dkh).

Cryptocoryne spiralis are similiar to vals - but dont know much on them. Cryptocoryne balansae I think will give your your desired look but does require more light than you have - my guess anyway.

Swords have very broad leafs as well as Anubias. I would recommend Anubias over the sword for your tank. But both are not grass like.

Smaller plants - try Cryptocoryne wendtii - slow grower, low to ground and does well in most conditions. Or try Anubias coffeefolia - smaller Anubias and does well in low tech tanks.

More specs would help however. I know you cant read the writting, but who is the manufacturer of your light? What about actual water parameters? What substrate do you have?

I know it will be difficult with hard water - I have it too. It will become hit or miss when you get moderate and above light plants. I have plants that should go crazy wild in my 30G High Tech tank - but do not because of the excessively hard water (cichlid tank).

Good Luck

Aries
 
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