FishProfiles.com Message Forums

hi,

could you recommend some live plants that would do well in my aquarium? I like interesting things i'm in the process of bidding on some moss balls on ebay I like the look of 'Eusteralis stellata' and possibly 'Aponogeton Capuronii' and red plants...

I cant seem to get much to survive more than a couple of days in my tank. the only plant(s) that are growing well is Jungle Vallisneria, and another one that Im not sure of. It's a grassy one, tough thin green leaves about 5/6" tall and quite bushy, doesnt seem to be growing fast but is still looking healthy.

I have 1 1/2" of sand around the planted areas
PH: 7
Temp: 27 deg C
I cant remember the GH but we've got quite hard water round here.

If anyone knows of a good online retailer (uk or int delivery) that would be great my lfs dnt seem to stock a lot of plants

Cheers guys

P.S i dnt actually know plant names im just copying them from www.freshwateraquariumplants.com :%)

The one thing you didn’t mention is the most critical factor – lighting. Can you tell us how much light you have and what type of bulbs. This will be the determining factor on what type of plants you can grow and their success.

Also sand is not the greatest substrate and 11/2 inches is not really deep enough but you might get a way with.

With regard to your plant choices/likes all pretty plants but also more demanding and difficult. I would keep away from the Eusteralis stellata , beautiful plant but also very very difficult even for an expert with a hi tech set up. I could just barely keep it alive and eventually got so ragged looking I had to toss it. Almost all red plants require very high levels of light and can be tricky.

I would go for some easier plants first, but recommendations would depend on how much light you have. If you let me know what your light set up is I can give you some plant names that should work.

For an online retailer in the uk, the best I’ve seen is Birstalls. They have an excellent selection and good information on each plant regarding difficulty and light requirements. They have one page with pictures of 150 different plants, just click on one you like and the relevant information will pop up. I have the relevant page address on my computer at home, but I think it’s www.birstalls.com or .co.uk.

---

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.

ah excellent bensaf, yeah how could i forget light! i knew i was missing something!

I use one 15w 'Arcadia Original Tropical Lamp'
one 15w 'Arcadia Freshwater Lamp'
and one 15w 'Arcadia Blue actinic light'

My tank's a 70L about 18 US gallon or 15 UK gallons

The depth of sand isnt a problem, ive got loads more i could always add, the reason i was keeping it that thin is because i was a little concerned about a anaerobic gas build up, and i havent found any MTS yet i'll just have to stir it myself lol

im off to have a look at that site now - thanks again


EDIT: Right ive now looked at that site, now in my favorites! Here are a few that i've picked out...

Bacopa monnieri,
Ceratopteris cornuta,
Ludwigia glandulosa (perennis) - this one says 'low - high light' i guess it wouldn't be as red if my lights aren't bright enough?

Hydrotriche hottoniiflor,
Anubias barteri v. nana, this one seems interesting! says it can flower under water



[span class="edited"][Edited by chrism 2004-09-10 04:44][/span]