I want real plants!

[daniel364]

Ok , o im getting another tank soon, i dont know for sure its about 4-5g i think, just from looking at it and this will be mt 2nd tank. With the first on i payed it safe and got fake plants, but now i want to grow real ones, now im a little more experienced. I would prefer my substrate to be sand and im quite good at aquascaping, I love it!! So what plants are best, any easy ones just to start of? any tips? Any plants you reccomend. I havent really got a theme yet , id just like a tank with lots of natraul plants so the fish can hide.

Thanks

 

[FreddytheFish]

Anachris, java moss, and java fern are all very easy.

 

[Marinemom]

Anubias nana and anubias nana petite will look great in a tank that size. Also might want to consider some crypts such as cryptcorne wendti(sp).

Marinemom

 

[daniel364]

lol, i need to get a pen and paper!

 

[coupedefleur]

With plants there seems to be a "critical mass". Just one little scrubby plant will not outcompete algae, but a bunch of plants will.

What they've suggested. Also water sprite might be good to start with, even in a small tank like yours. When it starts to get big, start moving some of it into your other tanks, and add more expensive plants around it.

 

[daniel364]

Thanks, im getting a 7 gallon tank to clear that up, my estimate was wrong. And als i have to have gravel because of the inder gravel filtration, does this matter?
Any tips?

Thnaks

 

[Sammie7]

Its usually not good to have an under gravel filter with plants, though I have heard of some people doing it. Just my 2 cents.

 

[daniel364]

noooo, i really wanted a real natrual tank, does the filter effect the plants then?

Thanks

 

[epicfish]

The plants' roots will grow into the filter and wrap around it. Just get rid of the undergravel filter and get an internal filter or a HOB filter.

You can try the Zoo Med 501 filter too. Nice, small canister.

 

[daniel364]

hmm, How about if i put the plant indside a pot then bury the pot in the gravel?