Complete Idiot: Thinking of some plants..

[CBTF]

Hello there.

Not sure if this has been asked before, sure it has been.. are there are EASY plants to maintain in a smaller tank?

I know no plants are easy, let me explain my setup. I'd like some natural plants because, well, plastic plants are all ugly for the most part.

It is a 10G tank that is overstocked for the most part (not too much- about 12 creatures in it). I've got beach sand on the bottom and standard lighting.

Is there anything that would be grow in:
a. standard lighting
b. sand

without giving me a massive headache?

Thanky :)

[Aquabum]

You can try Anubia plants. They're very easy and will grow in almost any light. Other plants such as, Anarchis and Crypts might do well in your setup. These are low light plants.

You might want to think about increasing your light. Your plants will do much better with a little more wattage. Just my opinion.

You might want to look into buying a better substrate too, like Fluorite, Eco-Complete, etc.. It's up to you. Although, regular gravel works just as well too. I have regular gravel, and the plants don't seem to mind (they're stem plants).

HTH

Lissette

[CBTF]

thank you. i just added the sand 3 days ago however and would like to leave it like that for now (the fish have been under much stress lately, and i'll be adding a few more to the community.) that being said- would buying these plants with sand be a waste of money?

[Captain Hook]

Many plants don't need any substrate to grow in at all. Java fern, java moss, and anubias would all live in your tank setup and don't need to be planted. They can be left floating or attached to wood or rocks. They will grow onto these objects and their roots will hang down. Or you can plant their roots in the sand if you wish.

Some undemanding crypts can be kept in low light tanks too. These would be grown in the sand. I've never tried sand but I believe it has a poor nutrient exchange capacity (CEC) and it does not naturally contain any nutrients. You could overcome this with substrate fertilizer sticks but this may not need be necessary. I personally use Jobes sticks for lush ferns and palms.

[Aquabum]

Ditto what Captain Hook said.

Hornwort is another plant you might want to try.

Lissette

[Roan Art]

Anacharis, too.

Roan