I have a 20g tank that has been up and running for just over a year. I have a small castle, a piece of drift wood, and several plastic plants. I would love to replace the plastic with live plants but am a little unsure of how to go about it. How would I go about adding plants and what kinds? I have five tetras, two cory cats, and a pleco. Thanks.
Looking to add live plants
- Thread starter cambro
- Start date
It really depends on how much light you've got. The more watts per gallon, the more options you have. But for starters, Java Fern, Java Moss, Anubias and some crypts are close to indestructible. JFern, JMoss and Anubias are rhyzome plants, meaning they have a horizontal 'root' from which the roots and stems grow from. The nice thing about these plants is that you can attach them to rocks, wood, etc. but you can't bury the rhyzome in your substrate.
Personally, I really like www.plantgeeks.net for more basic plant info. YOu can search by care level, light requirements, etc. And theres lots of good pics too!
Good luck, and I hope this helps a little
Personally, I really like www.plantgeeks.net for more basic plant info. YOu can search by care level, light requirements, etc. And theres lots of good pics too!
Good luck, and I hope this helps a little
Yep Plantgeek is the place to go for great advice!
Setting up your first planted tank
Plantguide
Please read at least the first link before buying anything. A lot of people think they have to have expensive lighting and CO2 to have a planted tank which is simply not true. Your choice in plants will be limited, but it can still be beautiful, and would require a lot less maintenance.
Setting up your first planted tank
Plantguide
Please read at least the first link before buying anything. A lot of people think they have to have expensive lighting and CO2 to have a planted tank which is simply not true. Your choice in plants will be limited, but it can still be beautiful, and would require a lot less maintenance.
Was just checking out plantgeek and it seems to have a lot of great advice! Thanks for the tips! I really appreciate it.
One stupid question. When they say to attach the plant to a structure rather than burying the roots in the substrate, how do you do that? Clip it on somehow?
Thanks again!
One stupid question. When they say to attach the plant to a structure rather than burying the roots in the substrate, how do you do that? Clip it on somehow?
Thanks again!
At the moment, I've got java fern basically tied to things with string. Basic cotton sewing thread is fine. Eventually the roots of the plant will grab hold onto whatever its tied to. You can also use staples, rubber bands (make sure to take them off before they start to degrade), twist ties, bits of wire, etc. I've got a clump of anubias nana sitting on my gravel, weighed down with bit of string looped around the plant, then tied to a rock covered over with gravel. Kinda like an anchor I suppose. I'm hoping that by the time the thread falls apart, the roots will have taken hold.
Oh yeah, for the switch over, I've left a couple of my nicer looking plastic plants in the tank until the plants grow in a bit more (at this rate, I might be dead by then, lol). It makes the tank look less nekkid hehe.
Oh yeah, for the switch over, I've left a couple of my nicer looking plastic plants in the tank until the plants grow in a bit more (at this rate, I might be dead by then, lol). It makes the tank look less nekkid hehe.