Tropical Fish Forum

Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice => Fish Tank Plant Advice => Topic started by: Hannspree on August 23, 2015, 05:48:06 PM

Title: ground covering plant
Post by: Hannspree on August 23, 2015, 05:48:06 PM

Hi Guys

i decided to change my tank setup about 2 weeks ago, when from artificial plants to real one and they seem to be doing well :) apart from the one by the rocks :( which i will take out if it don't bounce back anyway i was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions on a plant that will grow along the bottom of the tank, thanks! :)

Here are the before and after photos :)

(http://www.thinkfish.co.uk/forums/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1824.0;attach=2640;image)
(http://i59.tinypic.com/1yv1va.jpg)

Title: Re: ground covering plant
Post by: Extreme_One on August 23, 2015, 06:45:07 PM

The best ground covering plants need high light and CO2 injection.

I'm growing Lilaeopsis brasiliensis with liquid Carbon (EasyLife Carbo) in a medium light setup and it seems to be doing quite well, but it isn't particularly fast growing and without high light and CO2 is unlikely to cover with a lawn effect. It does remain low to the ground at about 5-7cm.

http://tropica.com/en/plants/plantdetails/4459/4459
(http://tropica.com/imagegen.ashx?width=760&height=380&image=/Plants/040/3.JPG&crop=resize&class=product)

If I had a high ligh,  CO2 injected system I'd go for Baby Tears Dwarf (Hemianthus callitrichoides 'Cuba')
http://tropica.com/en/plants/plantdetails/Hemianthuscallitrichoides'Cuba'(048BTC)/4478
(http://tropica.com/imagegen.ashx?width=760&height=380&image=/Plants/048B%20TC/3.JPG&crop=resize&class=product)

Title: Re: ground covering plant
Post by: Alex_N on September 25, 2015, 03:06:50 PM

Can Java Moss be used as ground cover as well?

Title: Re: ground covering plant
Post by: Anne on September 25, 2015, 08:37:29 PM

Love the new set up, are your fish enjoying exploring it?

Title: Re: ground covering plant
Post by: Extreme_One on September 25, 2015, 08:42:27 PM

Quote from: Alex_N on September 25, 2015, 03:06:50 PM

Can Java Moss be used as ground cover as well?

I know lots of people do use it, I think it will need frequent trimming as it grows wild fast.

Title: Re: ground covering plant
Post by: Richard W on September 26, 2015, 07:25:25 AM

Java and other aquatic mosses don't really grow on gravel or sand, they need a hard surface such as wood or rocks. Some people use sheets of fine mesh stainless steel on top of the gravel.

Title: Re: ground covering plant
Post by: Extreme_One on September 26, 2015, 08:04:15 AM

The following article explains how to make a Java Moss carpet.

http://www.aquascapeaddiction.com/articles/java-moss-how-to-grow-walls-carpets-trees-and-more

Title: Re: ground covering plant
Post by: Alex_N on September 26, 2015, 09:24:29 AM

Thanks gent's.
My dad has got loads of it in his tanks and all ways willing to give it away.
I'll be using sand as a substrate so using the mesh is an excellent idea to hold it down rather than using stone weights.
Would plant weights be an option for weighing it down? I'm not sure on how closely knitted the moss is.