Suave

what would you guys say is the BEST ground cover aquarium plant? or which is the EASIEST to grow?

fish_newbie

I have to go with java moss, they are very green and very hardy, live in a wide range of temperature and only need low light. Their only downside is that they're a slow grower, but so is other mosses.

Nate McFin

It really depends on whether you have good lighting, use Co2, and what look you want.
EDIT NOTE**** These tanks are not my own.
hemianthus callitrichoides- requires good light and prefers Co2-(picture from-
http://www.linago.hotmail.ru/


Riccia Fluitans- high light, Co2 (picture from-http://www.blueaquarium.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/jan/l_envolee_by_voultou/l_envolee_by_voultou_8.jpg


Dwarf Hairgrass- High light, Co2- (picture from ( I believe this is one of Tom Barrs tanks)-http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u312/plantbrain/resized70galADAwith1.5wgal.jpg


Mosses would be best if your light isnt strong! ( It would also be the easiest to keep alive) It doesnt really have the same look IMO though.
It takes alot of light to grow ground covers other than moss.

peacemaker92

I'd say Dwarf hairgrass! They're so cool! Even if you leave them in a neglected tank without co2 or anything else, they'd still be just fine! haha

cg49me

I gave dwarf hairgrass a shot in my 10gal and 29gal. Both are moderately lighted - had a little luck in the 10gal, but it flat out died in the 29gal. I think it was the substrate - dwarf hairgrass needs pretty fine substrate to fill out well.

I'm going with dwarf sag in my 75gal (whenever I finally get it running). Not exactly what I'd call a "carpet plant", but it's supposed to fill out pretty well.

ApolloX54

In terms of easiest to grow I'd have to go with Java Moss then Hairgrass...

I have a question though.. I need to tie down my Java Moss and I was thinking I'll just go guess some line and a clay pot or something.. break it.. and used the shards as like a holdfast below the substrate...

Nate McFin

I would worry a little about the sharp edges. I have seen DIY where a piece of vinyl window screen was used to tie the java fern on and then waited down with gravel around the edges. It looks a little odd at first but when it grows in it looks like a carpet. It is also nice for cleaning the tank as all you have to do is take the whole thing out to vac etc.