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Last edited by Kitten at 14-Nov-2005 20:14

~Meow. Thus spoke the cat.~

Heres a couple of tips.

A great plant for the small low light tank (or any tank) is Echinodorous Parviflorus "Tropica" (must be the Tropica variety). The reason being it will grow in jus about any condition, but it's size is directly related to the amount of light it receives. In good light it will grow into an 8" tall plant. Put it in poor light and it will grow, but into a little bonsai version of itself ! This make it's perfect for small lowlight tanks where it can be wonderful forground plant, or even a carpet it you have enough of them ! Just don't give it too much light (sounds too good to be true right?). I've had a few of these for a year now stuck into dark corners. They are very nice, about the size of a brussel sprout, lots and lots of tiny leaves, it looks like a miniture cabbage ! If any one has seen the photo's of my 5 gal there is one right at the front (kind of to the right a little).

Another great plant is Monselenium Tenerum (Pellia), want that Riccia look? This is a good alternative. Looks like a jumbo dark version of Riccia. Works in low light and will attach to wood or rocks. Also makes a good alternative to Moss, far more organised looking.

I'd be a little bit concerned about normal Java Fern as it can get fairly huge over time (admittedly a very long time). Varieties like Wendelov, Narrow Leaf and Phillipines are much more suitable to a small tank.

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

So far the only plant that I have had much luck with..and that is java moss. It goes in filtered and unfiltered tanks or containers. Stays alive in low-light and no-light situations. The only problem is that it tends to be a gunk collector, so be careful not to over feed your fish and water-change and vacumn regularly. I even shake it out and rinse it out in a large bowl of water.

Last edited by pugperson at 28-Mar-2005 22:52

Nice article Kitten

I especially agree on the on line suppliers. Some are put off by the intial expense, shipping etc, but will usually work out cheaper in the long run. Most LFS can't keep plants in optimum conditions. Starting up a planted tank can be tricky enough for most, starting with plants that aren't healthy is an added unneccessary difficulty. One of the biggest aids in giving a new tank a kick start is healthy good quality plants. Plants can store nutrients for up to a month in anticipation of lean times. Bought from an LFS they have probably used up a lot of these stored nutrients and will be busy replacing them rather then growing. Healthy plants don't need to do this and will immediately kick into growth mode when put in your tank helping to establish a balance quickly.

The investment is even more worthwhile in the slow growing plants like Anubias and Ferns (the really nice varieties are almost impossible to find in most LFS's anyway).These plants are almost indestructible so your investment is very safe. It really is worthwhile to try to find some of the different and more attractive versions of Anubias and Ferns, it gives the tank an instant more different "professional" look. A large group of Anubias Nana var. petite gives any tank a seasoned natural mature look in a instant !

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

well done kitten another well written article/:'

Great article.

I just thought that to make it more helpful to the international market of fishprofils.com, I could add some UK based online retailers, maybe others could add the appropriate links to where they are.

Birstall: Stock Tropica plants. A bit more pricey than other retailers, but you know you're getting excellent potted plants + shipping is free on orders over £15. Excellent service too!
Greenline: Cheap and cheerful plants. Good quality plants, excellent service.
Java Plants Cheap plants, decent quality. Can be a bit on the slow side of delivery, depends what day your order.

Last edited by untitled at 02-Apr-2005 09:52

Excellent! Yes, I had no idea what to put for the people in other countries as far as websites... I can research them all I want and not have any idea as to whether or not they're good sites!

I was especially wondering about Australian websites, considering this site is Australian in origin. So... send in those websites, those of you down under!

~Meow. Thus spoke the cat.~

One I've ordered from many time is [href=Aquatic Plant Depot]I think I'm about 50/50, an equal blend of lipgloss and woodchips[/l]

Good selection and customer service. No minimum order and the ship Priority Mail with a flat rate of $10.00

They also offer a 5% discount for first-time buyers.

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

Ack! I totally forgot that one... I've ordered from them before (at your suggestion, actually, Theresa ), and had the same experience: 50/50. However, for the price, it's easy to excuse any mistakes. *shrugs*

~Meow. Thus spoke the cat.~

One I've ordered from many time is [href Aquatic Plant Depot]I think I'm about 50/50, an equal blend of lipgloss and woodchips

So, what color lipgloss can you find at Aquatic Plant Depot, Theresa?

Aquatic Plant Depot- the real one


Last edited by Janna at 02-Apr-2005 14:59

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They shade the glow of it with their mossy-misty costumes,
They wear masks of silk, porcelain, brass, and silver,
So as not to mislead with their own, ordinary faces.

Well, I guess that's what happens when trying replying to a bunch of threads at one time :%)

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

great article and information...I found this very useful and will be greatly helpful when I go and try to plant my first tank...

abso

*claps happily* I'm so glad you could make use of this article.

~Meow. Thus spoke the cat.~