I'm back in the world of fish keeping after a break and I've just got my hands on a 5 gallon Fluval Chi, which is currently cycling in prep for a Betta - and maybe some shrimp too, once I've done my research. I've got a few questions and I'm looking for some advice on plants, so bear with me if I ask any daft questions.
I'm looking for plants that'll benefit my tank's occupants without needing any extra lighting or filtration - I love the clean look of the tank as it is. In my enthusiasm, I've already picked up a few plants -
Limnophila heterophylla, which I think might outgrow the tank,
Pogostemon helferi, which has a really unique shape, and
Anubias nana bonzai, which seems perfect for the tank.
I'd love to add some moss balls, a short grass-type foreground plant, some mid-size plants for the side or back of the tank, and a floating plant for my Betta to chill on - any recommendations would be great.
Now, for the potentially silly questions:
- Where's the best place to buy plants from? My local fish store has a small selection, but I'm not spoilt for choice.
- When I get new plants, should I take them out of their pots and plant them straight into the substrate, or do I leave them in their pots - will they just float away?
- Is there a beginner's guide to pruning and caring for plants? I'm assuming even low-maintenance plants in a small tank will need some TLC.
- What are the basic tools I'll need to look after my plants?
- Will my Betta or shrimp end up destroying any plants I add?
I'm really excited to get started with plants and my Betta, but there's just so much info out there - I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed.
Feeling overwhelmed with information, where do i start?
Re: Feeling overwhelmed with information, where do i start?
I'm not in a position to recommend specific stores, but I can certainly help with the other queries you've raised. From my experience, I can confidently say that a Betta won't bother your plants.
When it comes to planting, I find it helpful to place the potted plant in the desired location for a couple of days before removing it from the pot. This allows you to get a sense of how it will look without causing too much stress to the plant. Once you're happy with the position, remove the plant from the pot and gently take off most of the rock wool or foam that's surrounding the roots.
Pruning and trimming plants can be a bit of a minefield, but it generally depends on the type of plant you're dealing with. Stem plants, like your Limnophila heterophylla, will continue to grow and require regular pruning to keep them in check. On the other hand, substrate-rooted plants tend to be relatively low maintenance. If you have plants that produce runners, you can trim them to achieve the desired effect or simply let them spread.
In terms of nutrients, your plants will get some of what they need from the waste produced by your fish and the food they eat, as well as from regular water changes. However, this may not be enough for all plants, especially if you have a lot of them. A good quality liquid fertilizer can be a useful addition to your tank. I've had good results with Seachem's Flourish Comprehensive Supplement for the Planted Aquarium, but be careful not to overdo it, as this can lead to algae issues.
As for tools, I've found that a pair of scissors specifically dedicated to aquarium use can be handy for trimming tougher plants. Other than that, I just use my fingers.
I think your Pogostemon helferi is a great choice, and from what I've researched, it seems to be a relatively hardy plant. Your Anubias nana bonzai is also a good choice, but do make sure to attach it to a rock or piece of wood rather than planting the rhizome, as this can cause it to rot. It's a slow-growing plant that prefers shaded light, so it should do well under a floating plant.
Speaking of floating plants, I think they're a great idea for a Betta tank, as they provide a natural place for the fish to rest. For a "carpet" plant, I've had good results with the pygmy chain sword. It's a relatively low-maintenance option that doesn't require a lot of light or nutrients.
When it comes to planting, I find it helpful to place the potted plant in the desired location for a couple of days before removing it from the pot. This allows you to get a sense of how it will look without causing too much stress to the plant. Once you're happy with the position, remove the plant from the pot and gently take off most of the rock wool or foam that's surrounding the roots.
Pruning and trimming plants can be a bit of a minefield, but it generally depends on the type of plant you're dealing with. Stem plants, like your Limnophila heterophylla, will continue to grow and require regular pruning to keep them in check. On the other hand, substrate-rooted plants tend to be relatively low maintenance. If you have plants that produce runners, you can trim them to achieve the desired effect or simply let them spread.
In terms of nutrients, your plants will get some of what they need from the waste produced by your fish and the food they eat, as well as from regular water changes. However, this may not be enough for all plants, especially if you have a lot of them. A good quality liquid fertilizer can be a useful addition to your tank. I've had good results with Seachem's Flourish Comprehensive Supplement for the Planted Aquarium, but be careful not to overdo it, as this can lead to algae issues.
As for tools, I've found that a pair of scissors specifically dedicated to aquarium use can be handy for trimming tougher plants. Other than that, I just use my fingers.
I think your Pogostemon helferi is a great choice, and from what I've researched, it seems to be a relatively hardy plant. Your Anubias nana bonzai is also a good choice, but do make sure to attach it to a rock or piece of wood rather than planting the rhizome, as this can cause it to rot. It's a slow-growing plant that prefers shaded light, so it should do well under a floating plant.
Speaking of floating plants, I think they're a great idea for a Betta tank, as they provide a natural place for the fish to rest. For a "carpet" plant, I've had good results with the pygmy chain sword. It's a relatively low-maintenance option that doesn't require a lot of light or nutrients.
Re: Feeling overwhelmed with information, where do i start?
I'd like to suggest Micranthemum monte carlo for a carpeting plant, it's proven to thrive in lower light conditions with minimal maintenance. It's also versatile enough to work as a floating plant, which could be beneficial for your Betta. As for fertilization, I've found that adding 3 drops of Seachem Flourish complete supplement every other water change does the trick, assuming I remember to do so.
Re: Feeling overwhelmed with information, where do i start?
Thanks for all the helpful advice, I really appreciate it. The plants seem to be doing well so far. I'm now on the hunt for some decorations to tie the grass and Anubias to, something for the Betta to hide behind and feel secure.
I'd love to get your thoughts on the current tank setup - I've added a couple of moss balls and some grass at the back, but I'm not sure if it's looking a bit bare. I'm thinking of adding some taller plants to give the tank a bit of height, but I don't want anything that will overpower the small space. Do you have any recommendations for plants that would work well in this situation?
I'd love to get your thoughts on the current tank setup - I've added a couple of moss balls and some grass at the back, but I'm not sure if it's looking a bit bare. I'm thinking of adding some taller plants to give the tank a bit of height, but I don't want anything that will overpower the small space. Do you have any recommendations for plants that would work well in this situation?
Re: Feeling overwhelmed with information, where do i start?
Hiya Barry. Love the new setup so far. I'm actually a big fan of buying plants online in the UK, especially if you're after something a bit more unusual. I've had to go online for all my floating plants, and I've found that plants in vitro are really popular here - they're invertebrate safe and usually come from Europe. I get most of my plants from Ebay, to be honest. My LPS does stock some plants, but like you said, it's usually just the popular types like Java fern, Elodea densa, and Vallisneria. And I've even seen them selling non-aquatic plants like Dracaena, which isn't great.
As a fellow beginner, I've learned that it's really important to choose plants that are suitable for your water hardness and temperature. And of course, you need to consider the lighting requirements for each plant. I'm at the stage now where I'm thinking about getting an active substrate to give my plants some extra nutrients, and I'm also planning to start dosing a liquid fertilizer. I might even try dosing liquid carbon instead of going down the CO2 route, just to see how it goes.
I've got hard water, and I'm currently using a small 6500w LED bulb with no fertilizers. Personally, I've gone for low-light, low-maintenance plants like Crypts, Java moss, moss balls, pond weed, star weed, and water lettuce. Plants that haven't done so well for me are Java fern, Elodea densa, dwarf Sag (which is slow-growing and light green), Salvinia natans, and Riccia. But surprisingly, Ludwigia repens and Lilaeopsis brasiliensis have done really well.
As a fellow beginner, I've learned that it's really important to choose plants that are suitable for your water hardness and temperature. And of course, you need to consider the lighting requirements for each plant. I'm at the stage now where I'm thinking about getting an active substrate to give my plants some extra nutrients, and I'm also planning to start dosing a liquid fertilizer. I might even try dosing liquid carbon instead of going down the CO2 route, just to see how it goes.
I've got hard water, and I'm currently using a small 6500w LED bulb with no fertilizers. Personally, I've gone for low-light, low-maintenance plants like Crypts, Java moss, moss balls, pond weed, star weed, and water lettuce. Plants that haven't done so well for me are Java fern, Elodea densa, dwarf Sag (which is slow-growing and light green), Salvinia natans, and Riccia. But surprisingly, Ludwigia repens and Lilaeopsis brasiliensis have done really well.