DeanAsploded

Tricking my Mother over the next few months into thinking I'm setting up another tank for myself, when really I'm going to set up a tank for her kitchen for Christmas.

Anyways, I want this tank planted. She's an avid gardener, so I think she'll really appreciate another "garden."

There's not much space to work with.
It's a five gallon flatback hex.

So, I want suggestions and tips on;
-which plants would look good
-hints on care (watts per gallon, etc)
-plants a betta would enjoy/look good with

Thanks.

temptryst

I'm not a plant expert which is why I can say that a java fern is always a great choice since it's for beginners. I've had issues with nearly everything else I've tried except the water wisteria. But my java ferns are always healthy and grow, grow, grow without special lighting.

DeanAsploded

Thanks. Definitely hoping to get ahold of some java moss (whether for hers or my tank is irrelevant.) And starting this process three months in advance just in case I find something I really like but need to order. The closest good fishstore is two hours drive away, so I need the type of plant planned out pretty early in advance. =]

temptryst

Yikes that is one heck of a hike. I wish I could be more helpful but I've mostly done the fail, fail, fail, success followed by more fail experience lol. Good luck with making something beautiful for her ^.^

I can tell you that if you're going to go for a betta.. My main tank right now is sand and I have a line of large polished river stones going through the center of the bottom. It's great fun and my bettas seem to find amusement in trying to find the shrimp pellets that I drop into them. Also looks fantastic (at least I think so haha). I have banana plants planted around them. I can grab you a picture when my boyfriend returns the camera if you'd like to see.

aquarist48

Hello Dean. I'm having good luck right now with java moss and anubia using only my generic lighting that came with the tank. I hope to get some java fern as well before too long.
Ken

Nate McFin

I agree with others suggestions of anubias and java fern and moss. Crypts would be another good choice. By staying with lower light plants as well as plants that stay small and or grow slow, you will not need to upgrade the lighting and maintenance will be minimized. I would go to www.plantgeek.com and take a look at the low light plants. Pick the ones you like but (as with fish) look at the size of the plant when fully grown. A baby sword would look great now but would quickly fill the container!