Ok, I have VERY limited experience with live plants. The ones I have kept in the past have done well.
What are some good low light hardy plants to start with??????
What are some good low light hardy plants to start with??????
Low lights plants
- Thread starter Erynn
- Start date
For low light most cryptocorynes, anubias and ferns (microsorums and bombitus) will do well. If your tank is not smaller, ozelot and amazon swords will work in low light. Hygrophelia polysperma is a stem plant that will work in low light.
There are more but those offer a good start for looking into.
There are more but those offer a good start for looking into.
I've had Anubia Nana for some time with mixed results. They grow fine, but sloooooooooooow. I just got some regular Anubias Barteri and they grow much faster than the little guys. At least in my tanks. Don't know how large your tank is, but the Barteri are quite a bit larger than the Barteri Nana.
Len
Len
So then why is it doing good in my tank and why do many other people have it? Why would the stores sell it? (I don't mean to be rude in any way, I hope I don't sound it)
Mondo grass can grow a few new leaves when it has only recently been submerged. Perhaps that is what yours is doing. From Tropica:
Ophiopogon japonicus (Mondo grass)
"A terrarium plant sometimes used in aquariums and goldfish bowls. Can be used as a decorative plant, but only lasts a few months. The good balance of an aquarium is disturbed if there are too many of these plants. Not eaten by herbivorous fish."
And why do aquariums sell this?
First it can be used in terrariums and with amphibian tanks, if they are not completely submerged.
They might also be selling it since its not truly aquatic and will die in a few months, then you can spend money at their store to buy more which is the goal of most pet stores.
Its also a good garden plant and can be used to line your garden walkways.
And many people have them in aquariums because they dont realize that it is not truly aquatic, or because the simply like the way it looks and are willing to periodically replace them.
Ophiopogon japonicus (Mondo grass)
"A terrarium plant sometimes used in aquariums and goldfish bowls. Can be used as a decorative plant, but only lasts a few months. The good balance of an aquarium is disturbed if there are too many of these plants. Not eaten by herbivorous fish."
And why do aquariums sell this?
First it can be used in terrariums and with amphibian tanks, if they are not completely submerged.
They might also be selling it since its not truly aquatic and will die in a few months, then you can spend money at their store to buy more which is the goal of most pet stores.
Its also a good garden plant and can be used to line your garden walkways.
And many people have them in aquariums because they dont realize that it is not truly aquatic, or because the simply like the way it looks and are willing to periodically replace them.
It is true. Mondo grass is not a true aquatic. It will survive submersed for some time, but it will not last in the long run. Unfortunately, many LFS will sell plants that are not true aquatics. I work a lot with houseplants as well and have often seen common houseplants like philodendren (SP?) and arrowhead sold in LFS with other aquatic plants. These are more for terrarium setups, not aquarium setups. Unfortunately, LFS often do not tell you this. 
The lesson here is: do some research on the plant before you buy it! I learned this the hard way myself.
As far as low light tolerant plants, I agree with two tankamin. I had a setup with just 1.5 watts per gallon. I was very busy and had little time to pamper my plants. The ones I had didn't seem to mind too much -- I was able to grow crypts and java fern very successfully!
GOOD LUCK!
The lesson here is: do some research on the plant before you buy it! I learned this the hard way myself. As far as low light tolerant plants, I agree with two tankamin. I had a setup with just 1.5 watts per gallon. I was very busy and had little time to pamper my plants. The ones I had didn't seem to mind too much -- I was able to grow crypts and java fern very successfully!
GOOD LUCK!
I agree also. I just got some Mondo grass and Green Hedge from Petsmart the other day to add to my new planted setup and I like the looks and they are doing well, but I have found out they are temporary, at best, and sometimes tend to foul water as they rot. Oh, well, I will just keep an eye on them and I'm sure I'll want to do some re-arranging when they start dying anyways, so I'll let it go for now.