"Ground" cover plants

[SouthernGal0682]

I want to grow something on the bottom on my tank that stays very short but covers the bottom...like so...
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w240/SouthernGal0682/nicetank343546463.jpg

Its kinda hard to see in the small picture, but just below the yellow fish is something that looks really short and compact. Almost looks like clover. I have found lots of grasses that grow about 3" (which I will probablly have some of) but I can't seem to find plants like this one that stay short. Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions.

[Lady Hobbs]

I personally will be using Echino Tenellus and pearl grass.

[hungryhound]

I came across this in the plants list. It might be what you are looking for.

Hemianthus callitrichoides
In the tropical plants DB
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/tr/Hemianthuscallitrichoides.php

it says it only gets to about 3 to 5 cm. So that is one to 2 inches. It might be worth a try. It is something that I am going to try to find more about.

[hungryhound]

Heres some pictures with a tank that has some in it. Is this what you are looking to create.

Hemianthus callitrichoides

http://www.pbase.com/plantella/130cm_tank&page=all

[*Sarah*]

that is a nice looking ground cover.

[Chrona]

I've been looking for the same thing, and yes, HC is a great low ground cover, but it's very hard to find and when you do find it, the store will sometime scharge you 20 bucks for a 2x2 patch. Most likely, you will need to buy it from a member of a planted aquarium forum. Another recommendation is marselia minuta, marselia hirsuta, and possibly marselia quadrifolia (I may have messed up the spelling a little). They are usually shipped in the emersed form, which is huge and tall, but after a period underwater, they grow to be about 1-3 inches, depending on the variety. The great thing is that marselia does great in relatively low/moderate light. All carpet plants will tend to grow taller rather than spread out if they are under medium/low light, but some do so less than others.

[Chrona]

Also, make sure when planting these things that you get tweezers and plant each little stem seperately, rather than a whole clump together. It will spread out and create a nice carpet MUCH faster this way.

[Incredulous_Ed]

I think either Riccia or java moss

[SouthernGal0682]

Heres some pictures with a tank that has some in it. Is this what you are looking to create.

Hemianthus callitrichoides

http://www.pbase.com/plantella/130cm_tank&page=all


YES! That is exactly what I am looking for. I love that green all along the bottom, but I don't want it to be "grassy". Thanks! I'm gonna write it down.

[Chrona]

Keep in mind that for that nice, thick coverage like that, you will need a nice light fixture, along with DIY CO2 injections, possibly. I've got fairly high/moderate lighting in a 10g with DIY CO2 and the damn hairgrass still refuses to spread shooter, although it has greened up significantly since starting CO2. With insufficient lighting, carpet plants tend to look kinda wilty and sparse.

[SouthernGal0682]

I have 95 watts for a 38 gallon tank and the DIY CO2 is ready to go...I'm just waiting for my husband to finish the tank stand

[Chrona]

Oh snaps. Good luck then. Post a pic of your nice carpet in a month :)