keeping malawi cichlids with aquatic plants

[hive8on]

I'm looking to introduce some plants to my Malawi setup and I'm after ones that can thrive in pots, rather than those with exposed rhizomes like Java Fern. I'm not exactly an expert on aquatic plants, so I'd love to hear from anyone with experience growing them in African cichlid tanks. Any recommendations would be great, thanks.

[oakleyride]

I used to keep Amazon swords, they worked out pretty well for me. Look for plants with sturdy leaves - that way, they're less likely to become a snack for your cichlids.

[hive8on]

Thanks, I've gone with Zorchzon Swords, hoping their leaves will be tough enough for my cichlids.

[swiftfly]

I've had some success with fast-growing plants in my own setup. You might want to consider something like Brazilian pennywort or anacharis - they're both pretty hardy and can thrive in a variety of conditions. Vallisneria's another option, it does well in hard water which I'm guessing might be a factor in your Malawi setup. Water sprite's also worth a shot, and if you're looking for something a bit more low-key, crypts can work well in an African biome.
I'm a bit concerned about the swords, though - they can be pretty finicky, especially in hard water. Plus, they don't like being disturbed, which could be a problem with cichlids that like to dig. They also need iron-rich soil to really thrive. What's your lighting situation like, and how deep is your tank? Are you using CO2?

[hutmog]

I've had some luck with Java fern alternatives that fit in pots, such as Anubias. They're pretty resilient and seem to do alright in my tank.

[hive8on]

Thanks for the extra advice, I appreciate it. I'll keep Java Ferns in mind as a last resort, hutmog, but I'd still like to try potted plants first. swiftfly, I've taken your advice on board and decided to put the swords in my community tank instead - I've already potted them up.
I'm now looking at Anacharis Elodea, which I can get from my LFS cheaply. Does it root well in pots? My tank's 350 litres, 24 inches deep, with 4 x T8 fluorescent tubes on for 5 hours a day, using standard white light. No CO2 injection, I'm afraid.
Thanks for the help, folks.

Edit: My pH's around 8, and the water's buffered just by the coflake rock in the tank.

[kalevi]

I've had Vallisneria with my wild cichlids and they do occasionally nibble on them, but it's not too severe.

[hive8on]

Thanks kalevi, Vallis is definitely on my radar now. Hearing about what works for others is really helpful, so thanks for sharing your experience.