Aquarium plants?

Question

I have some plastic plants in my aquarium right now and I have been reading up the benefits of real plants. I was wondering, although I plan on buying some from my local pet store, what are some plants, if any, that I could find outside that would be good in my aquarium? If I happen to find any good plants (taken from the suggestions I recieve from other Yahoo Answers users), what should I do to make sure they are completely sanitary and wont jeopardize my fish's health in any way? I live in Southern Florida, if that helps any. I would like to know, partly out of curiousity, and partly for the fact that I don't want to spend money on something I can find right in my backyard.

Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

The only plants uyou might find that would do well in an aquarium would be ones that you find totally submerged in water. If they are only growing allong the sides of a lake or stream then they are more than likely a bog plant that will die when put under water. There are quite a few in your area that will work in a tank, but collecting them is a messy and difficult process. Not to mention that any you collect in the wild could harbour snails and or fish parasites that you certainly don't want in your tank. As tempting as it is to go collect plants at this point, leave that ujntil later. Start off with true aquatic plants that you get from a good pet shop in your area. Then maybe later after you get used to keeping plants and learn how to manage their requirements try collecting a few.

MM

Answer 2

I reccomend you go to a petstore and get some Giant Hydro. I have some. They grow fast and you can break off pieces, stick them into your sand or gravel and they'll keep on growing. It's a very hardy plant. Fast growing plants help against algae too.

You wont find any aquatic plants in your backyard. Many aquatic plants are quite cheap. You could probably get 2-3 different types of plants for under $10. You aren't exactly spending a fortune here.

Answer 3

you have to be very careful with this. Most plants you buy from a pet store are special plants that will not harm the fish or water of your tank and actually help the tank. You could easily put a bad plant or even a plant with something toxic in it or such. I have seen at stores like petco underwater plants sold in a plastic cup that are ok as they are made for underwater tanks. Just be very careful, or experiment before you put the fish in to see what happens.

Answer 4

my advice would be,buying live plants instead of plastic ones.there are things you should consider first before buyin plants,
first,select the plants suitable for your fish,choose the tough leafed plants for barbaric fishes like anubias species and the like

second,avoid putting herbivorous fishes or you'll end up watching the fishes grazing in yourtank destroyin your maserpiece

third,putting the right substrate for the plants

and fourth,check the ph of water apropriate for your fish and plants..

Answer 5

sorry but you shouldn't harvest your backyard for your aquarium. a little extra backyard mold spore could spell doom for your aquarium.

i get plants online and on ebay -- they are usually healthier and hardier than plants from a national chain store. try java moss, java fern, anubias, cryptocorines are all good beginner plants and they won't take over your aquarium in 2 weeks either.

Answer 6

i dont think you can just find some plants outside unless you want to kill your fish. i would go to wall mart. they have plants that you can buy for differant kinds of fish.