Simple Plants

[dvd_wightman]

I am going to start up my 10 gallon tank during the Christmas break, and I would like to use live plants. I was wondering what plants would look nice together, are easy to grow, and what I would need to grow for them.

[djlen]

Where is Springfield in NJ?
How much light are you putting over the tank?
What type of substrate are you intending to use?

Len

[John N.]

Easiest plants I recommend that require little to no maintenance are:

Java Ferns
Crypts
Anubias

-John N.

[dvd_wightman]

I have a 10 gallon kit by tetra, i don't know what the wattage is. I live on Christy Lane, its off Evergreen, if you know where that is.

[naps]

Java fern
Java Moss
any anubias, these are great!!
water sprite

[debaric]

i used to work in springfield right off rt 22.

anyway, i would also recommend elodea, hornwort, watersprite, as they are nutrient hogs and will keep algae at bay

[dvd_wightman]

ok, what do I need to grow the plants? I'm not sure how many watts the bulb is, but it came with a 10 gallon set I bought at Petco. Also, do I need any special substrate or anything? And finally, what would be a nice looking combination of plants?

P.S.- I also intend on adding a piece of fake driftwood or a rock or something.

[John N.]

For all the plants suggested to you these are generally considered low light + low maintenance. You don't need any special substrate for the listed plants. But you may need some more light than what is offered with the stock 15 watt strip light that came with the 10 gallon tank.

I would recommend checking out ahsupply.com and getting a 2x13watt lightkit for a low tech setup. And if you want to get deep into planted aquaria, then I would recommend 1xx36 watt kit instead, but you will need CO2 and fertilizers then.

All the plants listed for you look well together, especially Java ferns + anubias which can be tied to your driftwood. You then can have the crypts everywhere else. I would suggest Seachem root tabs placed underneath the crypts as they are root feeders, and it will help them grow.

Java Ferns
Crypts
Anubias
Java Moss
water sprite
elodea
hornwort

-John N.

[djlen]

Ah, RT. 22. North Jersey. I thought it was closer to where I am and I could have helped you out with some plants.

Len