Background Plants

[biotopebuff]

Idk if this is in the wrong area, but I couldn't find the right area for it. Thanks in advance, Mod, for moving it.

Anyways... I am planning an amazonian biotope 20 gallon aquarium. Not sure if long or high yet... but could anyone recommend some good background plants for it? Must be amazonian, and not have too high lighting requirements or extra co2 injections. Sorry if this is too specific, but I really want to know.

 

[Paradise fish]

What is the lighting you'll be getting for it, what is the substrate, what types of fertilizers do you have (or willing to buy) and what fish are you planning on keeping in it?

 

[KinsKicks]

Hello!

Ludwigiaand rotala rotundifolia shouldn't be too needy (although the rotala would appreciate some extra iron ferts if you want the pretty red color to stay). You could also use vallisneria. If you go with a 20L, the height is shorter and you could even use sword plants to make up your background

What is your lighting and substrate choices anyways? And planningto use ferts as well?

 

[APColorado]

If you are doing a true Amazonian biotope then you will driftwood, sand, leaf litter.

A couple plants found in the amazon that I am aware of are Amazon swords, Dwarf Chain Swords, Cabomba furcata, Cardamine lyrata and some floating plants.

 

[biotopebuff]

Thank you all very much! Not a hundred percent sure on lighting or substrate as I am just looking for ideas. Stocking ideas (haven't decided yet) are on this thread: 20 Gallon Tank - Stocking Ideas

Actually, correction. There will be a sand substrate, as AmazonPassion said.

 

[abovethesink]

Amazon Sword will probably live in your set up, but it will grow slowly. Jungle Val is the easiest background plant to grow, or so I've repeatedly read, but it is Asian. I don't think your fish will care though if you can get past it.

 

[Paradise fish]

Anacharis doesn't need special lighting, substrate, fertilizers, or Co2. It's South American, also found in the Amazon's. So is Brazilian pennywort. This plant is mid to background.

 

[biotopebuff]

Thanks! Anarchis looks great, and so does Amazon Sword. Would either be better for the setup?

 

[Paradise fish]

Amazon swords prefer good substrate, so I'd say Anacharis, but I think you should have both.

 

[biotopebuff]

Thanks!

 

[Jocelyn Adelman]

So, Amazon swords can grow well in sand, just be sure to add root tabs.
However, they get BIG... too big for a 20long... if you go with a 20 high it would work, but it would be a centerpiece plant, not a background.

 

[rsumner]

I'm grow a ton of swords, but in high lighting and immersed in super-rich substrate and they do really well. I am starting to play around with Narrow Leaf Chain Swords in some fairly shallow sand under lightweight 10K lighting. I run a full regiment of Seachem ferts and will likely use some root tabs since my substrate is so crappy.

All in all, you wouldn't use the chain swords as a background plant with the exception if it were a 20gal long as they probably wouldn't get much larger than 4 to 6". I use Kleiner Swords in my 20gal long as background plants, but they do require some fair lighting.