Favorite Plants for Small Tanks

[Cody]

In my daughters room I have a 10g tank I refer to as the Neon Dream tank. Colored gravel, plastic neon colored plants and I think I finally have had enough.

Im thinking of converting this to a planted tank. My 60g planted is 24in tall so I’m used to finding things to fill all of that space. So the thought of planting a 10g is a polar opposite.

What comes to mind are some of the slow growers like Anubias, Bruce, ferns and perhaps various stem plants with frequent trimming.

What are some of your favorite tried and true plant combos for a 10g?

I would upgrade the lighting and dose an all in one fertilizer.

 

[jkkgron2]

My 10g setup: Hygger full spectrum light, thriveC fertilizer, and black diamond blasting sand.
Plants: dwarf hairgrass, some small amazon swords, Java fern, crypt wendtii, moss balls, chain swords, and water wisteria.

 

[Cooperman411]

I would love to see photos of all the aforementioned aquariums, Neon Dream, 60 gallon planted, and the 10 gallon setup from jkkgron2

 

[!poogs!]

Anything cryptocoyrne and ozelot sword.

 

[Cody]

Anything cryptocoyrne and ozelot sword.

I was thinking of a Crypt Jungle. Any type of crypt I have kept has thrived in my 60g with min melting and I’ve really been a fan.

 

[Cody]

I would love to see photos of all the aforementioned aquariums, Neon Dream, 60 gallon planted, and the 10 gallon setup from jkkgron2

My biggest struggle is that I think the rainbow gravel will look corny with real plants. But I don’t know if I really want to do a live substrate change but I think I would regret if I didn’t.

 

[Cody]

My 10g setup: Hygger full spectrum light, thriveC fertilizer, and black diamond blasting sand.
Plants: dwarf hairgrass, some small amazon swords, Java fern, crypt wendtii, moss balls, chain swords, and water wisteria.

jkkgron2 have you been happy with the Hygger? I have a fluval light on my 60g but I have a hard time paying the price for the smaller lights.

I was thinking a Nicrew as a seemingly nice budget option. But the hygger looks nice too.

 

[babykitten]

Id do various anubias, java moss, a dwarf lily, and some dwarf sagittaria in a ten gallon. You'd get a variety of plants that way

 

[jkkgron2]

Its a great light. im very happy with it and as soon as I manage to find a time to visit my LFS I may get some plants and order another hygger light for my 20 gallon. IMO it’s just as good as some of those expensive lights, just without some of the extra things. My crypt is growing so much that within 1-2 months of adding it I already had to move it! The only drawback is that once the timer is done it only brings the light down to 10% instead of turning it off but I’d gladly turn it off every night and on every morning if my plants keep growing like this. I highly recommend it

 

[Cody]

Its a great light. im very happy with it and as soon as I manage to find a time to visit my LFS I may get some plants and order another hygger light for my 20 gallon. IMO it’s just as good as some of those expensive lights, just without some of the extra things. My crypt is growing so much that within 1-2 months of adding it I already had to move it! The only drawback is that once the timer is done it only brings the light down to 10% instead of turning it off but I’d gladly turn it off every night and on every morning if my plants keep growing like this. I highly recommend it

How many hours do you run it per day? I really like lights with the ramp up down feature. I feel like it balances good plant/viewing with out algae issues. That is why I was leaning toward the nicrew with the dinner/timer controller.

 

[jkkgron2]

How many hours do you run it per day? I really like lights with the ramp up down feature. I feel like it balances good plant/viewing with out algae issues. That is why I was leaning toward the nicrew with the dinner/timer controller.

6 hours a day. The only thing I have to prevent algae is two nerite snails and after a few days with them I’ve seen absolutely no algae. If you were to do the setup I’m doing I wouldn’t worry about algae.

 

[tonysharks]

I was thinking of a Crypt Jungle. Any type of crypt I have kept has thrived in my 60g with min melting and I’ve really been a fan.

I agree. Can't go wrong with a ton of crypts.

 

[Cooperman411]

My biggest struggle is that I think the rainbow gravel will look corny with real plants. But I don’t know if I really want to do a live substrate change but I think I would regret if I didn’t.

I’m almost ashamed of how much I like the Neon Dream!

 

[Cody]

I’m almost ashamed of how much I like the Neon Dream!

Lol for a kids tank it’s perfect. Lots of fun colors to look at. But Im just a sucker for the natural look I suppose.

 

[Sauceboat]

Hello! I figured I just ask around and see what everyone's all time favorites are! Right now I have some Blyxa Japonica to jazz up the tank and its probably among the favorites for me.

 

[Kribensis27]

I love various Hydrocotyle species, along with Rotala wallichii, various Nymphaea species, red root floaters, Azolla, red Myriophyllum, Bucephalandra, Hygrophila pinnatifida, and a million others. I adore most crypts as well.

 

[The2dCour]

Various aponogeton species and the red "foxtail" myriophyllum are my favorite right now.

 

[Sauceboat]

I love various Hydrocotyle species, along with Rotala wallichii, various Nymphaea species, red root floaters, Azolla, red Myriophyllum, Bucephalandra, Hygrophila pinnatifida, and a million others.

Ooh yes I love the hydrccotyle species as well I have both pennywort and hydrocotyle Japan and love them both

 

[ProudPapa]

Crypts and water wisteria are favorites. I also like Ozelot swords.

I'm fond of guppy grass, Java moss, and pearlweed because I don't have any trouble selling my excess.

 

[JLAquatics]

There are many great plants out there. I personally prefer the ones than are easy to grow and don't need elaborate setups to look nice. For that, I would currently have to choose my Water Wisteria plants. They grow thick and dense while looking really nice as well. Here is a top-down view of some of mine.

 

[ProudPapa]

There are many great plants out there. I personally prefer the ones than are easy to grow and don't need elaborate setups to look nice. For that, I would currently have to choose my Water Wisteria plants. They grow thick and dense while looking really nice as well. Here is a top-down view of some of mine.
View attachment 776774

It can also get pretty tall. I have some in my 65 gallon tank that I'll need to trim in the next week or so.

 

[JLAquatics]

It can also get pretty tall. I have some in my 65 gallon tank that I'll need to trim in the next week or so.

Yeah, all those stems in that pic came from just one 4 inch stem from a tube at Petsmart. They can grow and overrun a tank very quickly (and look nice while doing so).

 

[Sauceboat]

There are many great plants out there. I personally prefer the ones than are easy to grow and don't need elaborate setups to look nice. For that, I would currently have to choose my Water Wisteria plants. They grow thick and dense while looking really nice as well. Here is a top-down view of some of mine.
View attachment 776774

I have tried water wisteria gain and again but it always grows very slow then just melts... I love the way it works it just hates me haha

 

[ProudPapa]

I have tried water wisteria gain and again but it always grows very slow then just melts... I love the way it works it just hates me haha

It might not like your water. My pH is at 8.2, and it's pretty hard water.

 

[JLAquatics]

Yeah, my pH is also 8-8.2 and grows like crazy with no CO2. I wonder what your KH and GH are, maybe that has something to do with it.

 

[Sauceboat]

It might not like your water. My pH is at 8.2, and it's pretty hard water.

Mine is 6ish and fairly soft... maybe it just prefers more mineral content
Maybe I’ll add a PH buffer to one of my empty tanks and see how it will do with raised PH

 

[JLAquatics]

Mine is 6ish and fairly soft... maybe it just prefers more mineral content
Maybe I’ll add a PH buffer to one of my empty tanks and see how it will do with raised PH

Definitely worth a shot!

 

[PurpleReign19]

Thought this would be a fun way to see which plants are the most popular. I really like most anubias species but my favorite has to go to marimo moss balls because of their ease of care. They are also the meeting place of my “shrimp council”

 

[Lmg01]

Thought this would be a fun way to see which plants are the most popular. I really like most anubias species but my favorite has to go to marimo moss balls because of their ease of care. They are also the meeting place of my “shrimp council”

Moss balls are amazing. My favorites would have to be Java moss and Java ferns.

 

[PurpleReign19]

Moss balls are amazing. My favorites would have to be Java moss and Java ferns.

I really like the looks of both of those although I havent tried either yet. Guess I have to get some next!

 

[Ouse]

My favourite aquarium plant will have to be cryptocoryne because it’s the only one I have. They’re also good for beginners and are hardy plants.

 

[pagoda]

Moss balls cos they behave themselves and do not require too much messing with.....and rarely harbour any pesky critters

 

[PurpleReign19]

Moss balls cos they behave themselves and do not require too much messing with.....and rarely harbour any pesky critters

My thoughts exactly. I also love how they look

My favourite aquarium plant will have to be cryptocoryne because it’s the only one I have. They’re also good for beginners and are hardy plants.

Wow I’ve never seen those at my LFS. Looks really cool

 

[LHAquatics]

I only have Anubias and java fern, and my anubias is beautiful and pretty hardy.

 

[Ouse]

I only have Anubias and java fern, and my anubias is beautiful and pretty hardy.

Anubias is among my favourites and I was thinking of getting some along with my crypts. It’s one of the hardest plants in the hobby to kill.

 

[PurpleReign19]

Anubias is among my favourites and I was thinking of getting some along with my crypts. It’s one of the hardest plants in the hobby to kill.

Yeah I have both anubias and moss balls in my 5 gallon. Looks great and easy to maintain.

 

[Mudminnow]

I have a few favorites, but if I had to pick one, it would probably be Cryptocoryne wendtii. This plant has found its way into more of my aquariums than any other. Hygrophila deformis and Glossostigma elatinoides are not far behind though.

 

[PurpleReign19]

I have a few favorites, but if I had to pick one, it would probably be Cryptocoryne wendtii. This plant has found its way into more of my aquariums than any other. Hygrophila deformis and Glossostigma elatinoides are not far behind though.

Both look awesome. Another plant I have to try!

 

[SotaAquatics]

Pearlweed! beautiful green color, grows and spreads well.. like a weed, regardless if its low or high tech. Can be used as a carpet, midground plant, or even background in 12-16 in tall tanks. extremely versatile and easy.

 

[FreshwaterCole]

Thought this would be a fun way to see which plants are the most popular. I really like most anubias species but my favorite has to go to marimo moss balls because of their ease of care. They are also the meeting place of my “shrimp council”

Frogbit is at the top of the list for sure, lol but the Mighty Anubias has no comparison!
Great thread!

 

[Rachaeljuno]

My current favorite would be chainsword! The way it grows it's little baby plants is awesome, it looks like an underwater spider plant and it grows super fast. Otherwise moss balls for sure and Crypts.

 

[PurpleReign19]

Frogbit is at the top of the list for sure, lol but the Mighty Anubias has no comparison!
Great thread!

Great to see another anubias fan. I’m a huge fan of frogbit too!

 

[YellowGuppy]

Moss balls cos they behave themselves and do not require too much messing with.....and rarely harbour any pesky critters

The exception being that recent shipments to the USA and Canada have been found with Zebra Mussels, which makes marimo balls nearly impossible to find at the moment, and might have a devastating ecological impact if ANY water from an infested tank gets released into local waterways. :|

But, on a lighter note, I love sußwassertang! It's slow growing, super easy to care for, and I love its unique growth and shape!

 

[Sauceboat]

Blyxa Japonica and Hydrocotyle Japan

 

[MacZ]

Torn between Hydrocotyle leucocephala, Limnobium laevigatum and Nymphoides peltata.

 

[SouthAmericanCichlids]

I've always been fond of Ludwiga super red.

 

[StarGirl]

I guess I have to say Vals right now because that's all I have. I like how the Red Ludwegias look.

 

[Dennis57]

Moss Balls, Amazon Swords and Red Tiger Lotus.

 

[SotaAquatics]

Moss Balls, Amazon Swords and Red Tiger Lotus.

Oh, plus one for the Red Tiger Lotus!

 

[barbiespoodle]

This is coming from someone who is only doing low tech.

Ease of care.

Marino balls for the simple reason that they are cute, can be put anywhere or on anything and the silver dollars don't bother them.

Java moss, Christmas moss, subwassertang. Nice fillers, can be attached to anything to make statements of choice. Or just let do their own thing, they do tend to end up in just the right place even if you didn't know that was the right place.

Anubia's. There is always one of just the right size to add interest. Small ones attached on a rock or drift wood, Taller ones for the back of the tank, and on and on. Also, the silver dollars don't bother them.

Amazon swords. Grow them in gravel, grow them in plant substrate, the don't seem to care. Just make sure you get a variety that is the right size for the tank. And the silver dollars don't bother them.

Crypt's, like Amazon swords, just don't seem to care how they are planted, they do great. And there are many different type to choose from, including some that add a splash of reddish color to a low tech tank. And the silver dollars don't bother them, lol.

And finally, while I should have added this in the moss group, I left them in their own group because I find them unique. Another plant that has many uses, very fast growing and has it's own charm in that it has a different texture and is a lighter green than most low tech plants.