Heavily planted recommendation???

[hatcheridiot]

I'd like to get some Blue Emperor tetras and have been doing some research.

In most of my research, "They" recommend a heavily planted tank as well as some floating plants.

My question: Does it have to be planted with natural plants??? Or is this recommendation alluding to the cover and security that these plants afford them? I've got a ton of plastic plants that I could add to my tank if that'll do the trick.

I still don't know what to do about the floating plant. Everything I've read about them is they spread like weeds and clog filters.

Any help, experience, suggestions would be much appreciated! Thanks!

 

[msjinkzd]

watersprite can be kept floating and doesn't reproduce like duckweed...grows dangling roots and has a nice green color. Also works in low light.

 

[hatcheridiot]

Thanks jinxy!!!!!! I'll check it out.

 

[msjinkzd]

mgamer sells it, i have had it floating in tank for months (too lazy to plant it) and my top dwellers love it.

 

[hatcheridiot]

Can I anchor it to a piece of driftwood? The driftwood sticks out of the water slightly and that would be the perrrrrrfect place for it! How do I care for it? Does it need extra light? How do I trim it? Just cut it?....I'll do some research too but thanks....I didn't find that plant in my research and now I'm all excited . LOL

 

[msjinkzd]

I have mine in less than 1 wpg but because its on the surface i think it gets more light then that. I don't use ferts in my tank and it grows fine. To prune, I just pinch off discolored leaves. I imagine you could tie it to your driftwood but I doubt it would permanently anchor itself on there. If you want it to stay in one spot you could use suction cups and fishing line as well.

 

[rosita]

Hygrophilia also grows fast in lowlight. Just a few stalks and wham!! space is filled.