Easy low-maintenance planting ideas

[earthie_9]

I've found that swords, water sprite, anubias, and java fern are pretty easy to grow, even for those new to planted tanks. Anubias and java fern are great options since they don't need to be planted in the substrate - just attach them to a rock or driftwood and they'll thrive. Swords are pretty hardy, but I've noticed they do prefer decent lighting. Water sprite is incredibly resilient, but it can be a bit finicky when it comes to taking root.

Considering you don't have a nutrient-rich substrate, I'd recommend picking up some root tabs to give your plants the nutrients they need.

[goldminer]

You're considering moss balls - I think you might mean Marimo Moss Balls? They're actually algae, not moss, and your fish might enjoy snacking on them.

I've got some info on Marimo Moss Balls - they're a protected species, endangered due to the aquarium trade. It's illegal to remove them from their lake in Japan. They grow about 5 mm per year, can get up to 20-30 cm in size, and can live for over 100 years if treated right.

When buying Marimo moss balls, make sure they're genuine and not something like java moss - they might be illegal to own in some places.

[goldminer]

That won't work out, you see Guppies and Platys like their water on the hard side, whereas tetras are quite the opposite, they prefer it soft. What's the water type in your area, do you know?

[beccykit]

I work with a tank that's got gravel and harder water, and it's doing just fine with java fern and water sprite, among others. We didn't add any co2 or fertilizer, the fish were already there and doing their thing, but if you're starting out, you could try a fertilizer tab and see what plants work for you. I've also got a 10 gallon with plants in gravel, and it's been working out okay. The only issue I've had is with these tiny plants that have roots so small they can't really grab onto anything, and they float out when I vac the gravel.

[beccykit]

Here are some pics of my 10 gallon setup with just gravel, no extra CO2 or fertilizers - it's basically zero maintenance. I've got a bunch of Java ferns that I've just left to their own devices, and they're doing great. The daughter plants are still attached, and they're all thriving. I also have some cryptocoryne that's doing well. For plants that do well in gravel, I really like banana plants - they're great even after they lose their bananas, with big leaves and strong roots that you can see. Another favorite of mine is Brazil kento4 pennywort, although it can be a bit of a handful since it comes out of the ground easily. But it's not a big deal, since it just goes right back in again. You can see the little tiny plant I was telling you about - it's the one that floats out whenever I bump it with the gravel vac. And yeah, you can even see some of it stuck to a branch above. Not my best plant choice, maybe. Ha ha!

As for fish, I think neptunes and platys prefer hard water, but if you're new to them, you should look into how fast they breed. I'm not sure how people keep them under control, to be honest.

[boomer]

The water hardness of 8.8 dGH is relatively moderate, making it suitable for many "soft water" species. Many commercially raised tetras would thrive in this environment. However, it's essential to note that wild-caught sensitive species might be more challenging to keep. On the other hand, some "hard water" species might find this water insufficient in terms of hardness.

As for the plants, they should have no trouble growing in this water. The key factor to consider is the lighting. With adequate light, you can balance the nutrients by adding fertilizers if necessary. I agree with other members that CO2 is not necessary for your setup. It's a different story for high-tech "aquatic gardens," but for a fish tank with live plants, it's not required.

In terms of fish selection, I would recommend sticking to either "soft water" or "hard water" species. Tetras and catfish should do well, but livebearers might not be the best choice.

[BadgersSong]

Thanks for all the helpful advice everyone, really appreciate it.