Getting Plants for tanks(no experience with live plants)

Hi guys... I've never kept live plants in aquariums before, so I was wondering what types of plants would be good for starters, space is probably not a problem as most of my tanks are understocked. I've kept fish for a long time and I was wondering what beginner plants would be good for the following tanks: I have a 29 gallon tank( inhabitants: 4 mollies, 1 betta, temp 80), 37 Gallon( inhabitants: 1 fantail goldfish, who is sick, but will be getting another fantail soon, temp 72), 55 Gallon(2 Oranda, 2 Ryukin, temp 72) 75 Gallon(Soon to be 2 or 3 Fantail Cichlids, temp 80, pH 8?), 120 Gallon (empty, but soon to be small goldfish + koi( don't worry I have a 3000 g pond, just growing them out over winter), temp 68). All the pH for the tanks are 6.8 except for the cichlid one... Any suggestions for beginner plants???

 

For tropical tanks I would recommend java ferns, java moss, and anubias. I've found good success with these plants with a tropical tank at a temp of 76 and with a PH between 7.5-8. These plants are generally hardy and are all water column feeders, meaning you would dose a fertilizer directly into the water. if you need a fertilzer I would recommend thrive c as that is what has worked for me. These plants are also low light and I haven't found a way to kill them yet.

 

For tropical tanks I would recommend java ferns, java moss, and anubias. I've found good success with these plants with a tropical tank at a temp of 76 and with a PH between 7.5-8. These plants are generally hardy and are all water column feeders, meaning you would dose a fertilizer directly into the water. if you need a fertilzer I would recommend thrive c as that is what has worked for me. These plants are also low light and I haven't found a way to kill them yet.

Would the fertilizer affect water quality??

 

Would the fertilizer affect water quality??

thrive c is an all purpose fertilizer intended to supply a plant with all necessary nutrients, including nitrates. However thrive c is specifically designed for lower nitrates then regular thrive. Technically yes it will affect your water quality but not in a bad way, if you add to much or use to little lighting you could experience algae issues but it is unlikely to harm your fish in any way if you keep up with water changes.

 

I use Thrive liquid once a week and Thrive root tabs every 3 months or when I remember. My water is hard with a PH of 8.2. Vals, crypts, frogbit, anubius, and hornwort grow well. Christmas moss and java moss do not.

Good luck.

 

I would try growing any of the stemmed plants, in cooler water try Ludwigia. I have never used fertilizers. I rely on my fish to provide the nutrients my plants need.

 

I forgot to ask a very stupid question...Do these plants need soil...if so what type(most of my tanks are gravel, cichlid is sand+gravel)

 

I use Black Diamond Blasting Sand, around $10 for 50#.

 

I forgot to ask a very stupid question...Do these plants need soil...if so what type(most of my tanks are gravel, cichlid is sand+gravel)

I just have gravel in my tanks

 

Ok thanks for the help everyone, im gonna pick up some black diamond blasting sand, some Ludwigia, and some hornwort and some java ferns next time I head to my lfs... Just a question are marimo moss balls easy to care for, those guys look kinda fun...?

 

Mine doesn't seem to be growing but also doesn't seem to be dyeing.

 

Ok... i'll only get one then and we'll see what happens...

 

I have no experience with true moss balls . But I wonder why nobody has mentioned guppy grass ? It’s a bit of a weed in terms of being easy to grow but may encourage more advanced plants in the future. It’s a floating plant you can fix in one place.

 

Ok... im gonna go to my lfs to see what I can get...

 

Well your goldfish will eat most any plant you add to the tank. So that said I would only try the 29g and the 75g. If and when you get plants growing in those tanks you can take the cuttings and add them to the goldfish tank.

So many plants are easy to grow with no special treatment. But lighting is an important part of plant growth. So what lights do you have? Both sand and small gravel will grow plants. Most plants will get their nutrients out of the water. So ferts do help.

 

i just have aquarium lights( the ones on the tank lid), but i will only get some plants for the 29 and 75 g...

 

Those lights are not the best for plant growth. Usually only a few led lights in them and no control. There are some good lights that are reasonably priced. I like the hygger 957. It fully programable as actually has very good light. Others I use are vivagrow 24/7 lights. Not sure how available these light are now but they were cheap and did the job. Moving up in price are the finnex lights. Yes they’re good and 24/7 and programable. I’ve got the planted+ and the hlc and both grow plants.
But the hygger 957 right now is my fav.

 

There are only a few plants that grow in very low light .
Guppy grass will grow slowly with the lights in aquarium lids.
Another really good plant not mentioned is subwassertang that is like a freshwater seaweed.
Anubis is another plant that actually grows best in low lighting.

Subwassertang ( Fresh Water Seaweed )

The main disadvantage of many aquarium lid lights is not being able to run them on a timer.

 

okay... ill get some guppy grass and anubiss I'll check if there's fresh water seaweed , if there is I'll get some

 

Those lights are not the best for plant growth. Usually only a few led lights in them and no control. There are some good lights that are reasonably priced. I like the hygger 957. It fully programable as actually has very good light. Others I use are vivagrow 24/7 lights. Not sure how available these light are now but they were cheap and did the job. Moving up in price are the finnex lights. Yes they’re good and 24/7 and programable. I’ve got the planted+ and the hlc and both grow plants.
But the hygger 957 right now is my fav.

okay , i might look into getting some of those

 

I use Thrive liquid once a week and Thrive root tabs every 3 months or when I remember. My water is hard with a PH of 8.2. Vals, crypts, frogbit, anubius, and hornwort grow well. Christmas moss and java moss do not.

Good luck.

I've managed to kill hornwort twice, I have no idea how you got it to grow.

Ok thanks for the help everyone, im gonna pick up some black diamond blasting sand, some Ludwigia, and some hornwort and some java ferns next time I head to my lfs... Just a question are marimo moss balls easy to care for, those guys look kinda fun...?

Also both gravel and sand provide no nutrients to plants that don't feed from the water column. Stem plants are the ones that don't feed from the water column and you would need root tabs to provide the necessary nutrients.

 

...I have never used fertilizers. I rely on my fish to provide the nutrients my plants need.

Just for the sake of the OP, I think it's important to clarify that fish waste does not provide all the nutrients plants need. Fish waste primarily provides nitrogen and phosphorus. For the other nutrients plants need (potassium and micronutrients), you'll be dependent on your tap water. And, in my experience, living in several places around the USA, it's likely your tap water won't provide everything the fish waste is lacking (especially the potassium). In other words, it's a gamble. Therefore, I find using a fertilizer with at least potassium and comprehensive micronutrients greatly increases your chances of success in the long run.

Also both gravel and sand provide no nutrients to plants that don't feed from the water column....

To my knowledge, all aquatic plants can absorb nutrients from the water column. And, all aquatic plants that have roots in the substrate can absorb nutrients from the substrate.

My favorite beginners' plant is Cryptocoryne wendtii. It comes in lots of different color forms. And, although it may melt at first, this plant is super adaptable and forgiving.

 

Thanks mudminnow, just went to the lfs this afternoon, so probably won't go there for another few days, but I will definitely look into getting some aquarium friendly fertilizer and maybe some cryptocoryne wendtii.

 

Just for the sake of the OP, I think it's important to clarify that fish waste does not provide all the nutrients plants need. Fish waste primarily provides nitrogen and phosphorus. For the other nutrients plants need (potassium and micronutrients), you'll be dependent on your tap water. And, in my experience, living in several places around the USA, it's likely your tap water won't provide everything the fish waste is lacking (especially the potassium). In other words, it's a gamble. Therefore, I find using a fertilizer with at least potassium and comprehensive micronutrients greatly increases your chances of success in the long run.

To my knowledge, all aquatic plants can absorb nutrients from the water column. And, all aquatic plants that have roots in the substrate can absorb nutrients from the substrate.

My favorite beginners' plant is Cryptocoryne wendtii. It comes in lots of different color forms. And, although it may melt at first, this plant is super adaptable and forgiving.

I agree with what Mudminnow said about fertilizer and nutrients, however not all plants can absorb nutrients from gravel, as seen by java ferns. While they have roots, if planted and not attached to driftwood or rocks the roots will die and rot. Secondarily, sorry if what I said was confusing but my main point to that was that sand and gravel will not provide nutrients; meaning root tabs would be necessary for that type of substrate to make a difference.

 

ohh ok thanks, i will get some aquarium-soil then as well just a thin layer 1-1.5 inches would work right?

 

I use rainwater and fish poo,

 

ohh ok thanks, i will get some aquarium-soil then as well just a thin layer 1-1.5 inches would work right?

Personally I haven't used aquarium soil because it requires replacing after a few years due to it running out of nutrients (this I know), and I've heard it can cause some algae issues. I think it more depends on how stocked your tank is with plants though. I am not completely sure on this info as I am inexperienced with using aquarium soil so take my thoughts with a grain of salt. However I do know sand or gravel would work if you used root tabs as I use the thrive ones with my sand. Also in regards to Itiwhetu, many people use different methods and some work better for some then others. I would consider Rainwater a risky move due to the potential pollution rainwater can have, but if it works it works.

 

Okay, i think im gonna get some aquarium soil, or just plant the plants in sand or gravel... I'll see what works...thanks

 

This tank was fish poo and Town supply

 

beautiful tanks Itiwhetu, i must admit part of the reason why I didn't get plants in the first place is because I thought they would look messy, but yours looks really neat. I think I'm going to try everyone's advice and see what works the best for my tank... thanks guys

 

I use rainwater and fish poo,

A beautiful tank to be sure. If only I took pictures of all my failures trying to do this myself. Hense why I recommend at least dosing potassium, it's made all the difference in my case.

 

A beautiful tank to be sure. If only I took pictures of all my failures trying to do this myself. Hense why I recommend at least dosing potassium, it's made all the difference in my case.

okay i'll try that too thanks for the suggestions.... just to reconfirm this won't really mess up my water quality if I keep up with water changes right?

 

A beautiful tank to be sure. If only I took pictures of all my failures trying to do this myself. Hense why I recommend at least dosing potassium, it's made all the difference in my case.

I have never had a failure, Here I am 40 years ago "Best Furnished Aquarium at the National Fish Show". No Fertilizers, just poo and light. The most important thing is to use a Neutral Natural Gravel base, and don't vacuum.

 

Ok since you’re just starting with plants don’t start with aquasoil or soil. Plants will grow in sand or gravel. Yes ferts may need to be added. May not. You’ll have to see and learn as you go. It takes time to figure out what will grow. I grow mine in pots and add ferts once a week. And very little.
I don’t fill my tanks with plants. I grow what I like. Many different ways to grow plants many different ideas on how to. What works for some may not for others.

Oh and stem plants do feed from the water column. Plants I’ve found that do feed from the substrate are swords and crypts.

 

I have never had a failure...

I wish I could relate to that, but I've had many failures along the way. It's only been in the last ten years or so that I've been able to consistently create the kind of planted tanks I want (I started shortly after Nature Aquarium World, Book One came out). Cool picture though.

 

I wish I could relate to that, but I've had many failures along the way. It's only been in the last ten years or so that I've been able to consistently create the kind of planted tanks I want. Cool picture though.

A tank is never a failure, if it doesn't work out the way you thought it is going to then it is a learning curve, but if it manages to sustain life then it is not a failure.

 

When I got into discus again I got away from planted tanks. My discus are time consuming as were the plants. I grew plants in my first discus tank a few years back
but had a sickness run through both my tanks. Plants and meds don’t work to well together. Lost most plants. Slowly starting again with plants.

 

okay i'll try that too thanks for the suggestions.... just to reconfirm this won't really mess up my water quality if I keep up with water changes right?

No, potassium shouldn't cause any issues. It's very hard to overdose potassium.

When I got into discus again I got away from planted tanks. My discus are time consuming as were the plants. I grew plants in my first discus tank a few years back but had a sickness run through both my tanks. Plants and meds don’t work to well together. Lost most plants. Slowly starting again with plants.

I've always been impressed with your tanks. I've had issues keeping plants happy and algae at bay with the high temperatures discus need. Very nice.

 

No, potassium shouldn't cause any issues. It's very hard to overdose potassium.

I'm impressed. I've had issues keeping plants happy and algae at bay with the high temperatures discus need. Very nice.

Since you both have experience with planted tanks, what do you guys do with all the extra growth? I've kinda let my 20 gallon turn into a veritable jungle with all the extra java fern and java moss creating a messy look but I wouldn't mind removing it if it wasn't wasted.

 

Set up a Silver Dollar tank and let them breed, they will consumer all your excess plant and they are cool because they are vegetarian they don't eat their young. Then you sell the Silver Dollars to your LFS