Who Gives A Fish Forums

Just got my new 55 gallon tank and I'm itching to turn it into a planted tank. I'm used to my old 20 gallon, so this is a big step up for me. I've fallen in love with the idea of having a lush, green aquarium, but man, those plants can be pricey. Does anyone know where I can find some more affordable options? I'm in north east Florida, so I was thinking maybe I could find some native plants that would thrive in my tank. I'd have to look into the laws and regulations first, but it'd be awesome to have some local plants in there. Right now, it's just a few swords and java ferns - it looks kinda sad, honestly.

I'd recommend checking out Petsmart for some affordable options - they've got tissue culture plants that won't break the bank. Look for a stem plant that you can propagate by cutting and replanting. It'll take some time, but you can eventually build up your plant collection. I've had success with this method using water wisteria from Petsmart.

Another option is to invest in plants that naturally propagate once they're established. For instance, sword plants will eventually produce an inflorescence, usually within a few months, and along this flower spike, you'll find adventitious plants forming - typically 4-7 new plants from a single parent. I've found chain swords to be excellent for substrate-level coverage, as they send out runners and can cover the entire substrate in a relatively short period, given the right conditions.