easy beginner freshwater plants

[nightfish]

So i am going from a fake planted, to a real planted, and was wondering what i should put in. I really wanted to put floating plants but i hear they grow rapidly and over-populate tanks easily. So maybe java fern or moss would be better? im a little confused as what the difference is on them, but i know they are both easy. Im just looking for something that will make my tank look nice, that doesnt require alot of light, and doesnt need any type of fertalizer, just put it in the tank and let it be.

[nightfish]

OH! and something that wont bring me any type of diseases, or unwanted critters ;)

[Dacotah7]

So i am going from a fake planted, to a real planted, and was wondering what i should put in. I really wanted to put floating plants but i hear they grow rapidly and over-populate tanks easily. So maybe java fern or moss would be better? im a little confused as what the difference is on them, but i know they are both easy. Im just looking for something that will make my tank look nice, that doesnt require alot of light, and doesnt need any type of fertalizer, just put it in the tank and let it be.

For easy growers, in the Plants Sub Form (where you posted this), look at the top, in the Sticky Posts:
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=4074

Java Moss = Vesicularia dubyana
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/p/Vesiculariadubyana.php
http://www.aquahobby.com/garden/e_dubyana.php

Java Fern = Microsorum pteropus
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/p/Microsorumpteropus.php
http://www.aquahobby.com/garden/e_javafern.php

Also Go Here: http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/p/
And also See:
Microsorum pteropus 'red'
Microsorum pteropus 'Tropica'
Microsorum pteropus 'Windeløv'
Microsorum pteropus v. 'narrow leaf'


OH! and something that wont bring me any type of diseases, or unwanted critters ;)

With new livestock of any kind, you never know foresure what your new livestock maybe carrying or harboring. That is what quarantine or observation tanks are for; to prove they are not carrying anything after a reasonable observation period. For some, that may not always be practical or affordable.

It is not uncommon to have snails, some very tiny, hitch a ride into your tank and than start a population explosion. I don't have the perfect recipe, but one can mix a weak bleach-water solution and soak the plants in it for a few minutes without harming the plants, while killing any snails on the plants; followed by a complete rinsing to prevent carrying the bleach into the tank.

The trouble with stores and suppliers that guarantee their plants to be snail free, are not always snail-free. While the quality suppliers may really not have snails, those that say they don't but really do, cause aquarists to mis-trust all claims.

[nightfish]

thanks for those links! and as far as the snails, can they be carried on all water plants? or just the ones i like lol.

[lotus flower]

In my experience, snails will hitch a ride on anything they can, but especially things they like to feed on--like plants, which are covered in yummy algae.

The joke is that most places charge $2.99 or so for the snails, but then you buy a plant and get one free, you just don't know it until they grow up big enough to see in a few weeks. I had that happen with plants I got at PetSmart when I was much younger (and not a responsible fishkeeper). I had a beautiful golden mystery snail hitch a ride as a baby or an egg, grew up into a big snail in the tank...then died along with the fish when my cat dropped her toy mouse "Mousie" into the tank. Apparently, there was some foul bacteria in that cat's mouth. And is it any wonder?

Also, PetSmart is selling some Top Fin aquatic plants (and some NON-aquatic plants, so research beforehand to know which are which!) labeled as being "snail-free". I got some wisteria from them and it does, indeed, appear snail-free, albeit not in the best of health. You probably could find a snail in among the bunch SOMEWHERE, though.

[lotus flower]

PetSmart doesn't seem to keep their snails in with their aquatic plants anymore, either, which is interesting. I wonder if they caught on that nobody would have to buy the snails.

But the Top Fin plants are in little plastic tubes. Look for the really healthy ones if you go that route. And know the scientific names of the plants you want, so you can pick them out from the bunch and not go by what PetSmart SAYS can go in an aquarium (I got fooled and ended up with a terrestrial moss that in no way should go in an aquarium, ever! I threw it out right after I put it in the tank that night, once I'd read up on it).

[Dacotah7]

thanks for those links! and as far as the snails, can they be carried on all water plants? or just the ones i like lol.

Snails or snail eggs can be carried on all plants, especially the ones you like. Research, taking steps to preventing them. Sorry but I don't recall the exact weak chlorine solution and I don't want to mis-lead you.

Having snails in your tank is not the worst thing, as they do help in many ways. They eat algae and dead and dying plant matter while avoiding healthy plants. Still they can an usually get our of hand, depending on the species of snails. If they get in your tank and get out of control, there are ways to control them or get rid of them. Some fish like clown loaches eat snails and there are chemicals that kill snails, the down side is they may kill other things that are desireable.

[Dacotah7]

thanks for those links! and as far as the snails, can they be carried on all water plants? or just the ones i like lol.

I found it, how to treat your plants to remove snails or the potential of snails before planting in your tank. Scroll down, about mid-page: http://www.aquariumplants.com/Articles.asp?ID=111

[korith]

http://plantgeek.net/plantguide.php

click on the 'difficulty' button and choose easy/very easy option, a good list of plants will show there with pics and info on each.

[Lady Hobbs]

You can soak your plants for a day in a bucket of water with Alum. Alum does not hurt plants but will kill snails and snail eggs.

Alum comes in the spice section at all grocery stores........tiny bottle for about $3. 3 T. per one gallon of water for a day or 1 T. per gallon of water for 3-4 days. I used the 3 T. method.

[vgalvanrico]

list of easy to keep, low maintenance and bright light that is not required are:
java fern
hornwort
anubias
dwarf sag
anacharis
phoenix moss
cryptocoryne wendtii
tape grass
hygrophilla species
micro sword
heart leaft crypt
moss ball
mayaca

... im sure there are more out there too thumbs2: