freshwater plants?

Question

what do i need in order to grow and keep freshwater plants in my tank? i have an empty 2.5 gallon tank and i was thinking about putting up plants in it before adding fish..

what soil is best to keep in the bottom of the tank? I'm assuming i plant them in the soil as opposed to keeping them in little pots right? what about the ph levels, water temp and lighting? my tank comes with a 12v flourescent lamp.

Also do i need a special filter or oxygen for the tank? I currently only have a filter that runs water through some plastic balls and some rocks and then cycles the water back into the tank...

I have no idea what i'm doing..

could you give me names of these plants?

I have also noticed in some tanks, they have the bottom covered in underwater grass, does anyone know what that is and is it easy to maintain?

Answer 1

firstly - there are two types of underwater plants. normal plants and "true aquarium" plants.

normal plants at a petstore will only last maybe 5 or 6 weeks in the water before they die or turn to mush and have to be replaced (theres nothing wrong with using these plants).

"true aquarium plants" are plants that do actually live in aquariums and underwater and they last for YEARS and YEARS. your petstore might have a couple, you can tell the difference because these plants are usually four or more times the price of the normal plants.

now for the normal plants, NO, you do not need soil or sand. just plant them in the gravel..... the PH and lighting you have for the fish are fine for the plants.

MOST of the true aquarium plants do NOT need soil or sand either - they can be planted in the gravel. some of them however, do need to be in little pots with soil and stuff in them. however, they will be like this when you go and see them in the petshop.... you just bring them home and put them in your tank like that.

now a heap of people will get on here saying you need fertilizers and special lighting.
thats not true. the fish poop from your fish is the perfect fertiliser, ive been breeding true aquarium plants for years and never used anything else.

so bottom line - no, you dont need special circumstances for plants in an aquarium. a temperature of 70 and OVER will help, but you will need these temps for most fish anyway - definitely for any tropical (which will need a heated tank 74-82F).

note: catfish and suckerfish will suck on the leaves of any plants and damage them over time, possibly kill the plants if they eat them too much - so one or two catfish/suckerfish in an aquarium with live plants is plenty.

other fish dont matter.
there is NO problem with a plant or two in a 2.5 gallon tank... as long as the fish have plenty of room.
.

Answer 2

I agree with the above poster that says your biggest problem will be lighting. You have adequate light, but it's going to be a bit red for some plants and may cause algae growth if you try too many special fertilizers in the tank. I would suggest you stick with those plants that will do well in regular gravel and that will need no special substrate enhancement or fertilizers added to the water.

Given the size of the tank you certainly don't want plants that will grow to be a foot tall and a foot across so steer clear of most of the sword plants, crypts and anubia sp. There are a few micro swords that will do very well in your tank. In stores you see them in a pot and growing like grass. Java Fern is also an excellent choice for your tank. It's fairly slow growing but will offer the right size for a great centerpiece plant. Java Moss is also a good plant for a small tank. It's not rooted and will grow wherever you place it in the tank.

So skip the special soils and fertilizers and go for the plants best suited for your tank and lighting situation. That will offer you the greatest success with the minimum hassle.

MM

Answer 3

Lighting is the most important element in keeping plants alive.
They can be planted in gravel as they take the needed nutrients from the water AND IF YOU PUT SOIL IN THE WATER WILL GET DIRTY VERY QUICKLY.
Maked sure that the light is of the correct spectrum ie more infra red to aid phpotosynthesis.
Grolux is a good brand of florescent for plants.
PH level is best to be 7 to 7.5 for freshwater plants.
Filtration is needed to convert the waste ammonia from the fish into nitrites and nitrates for the plants to consume.
Give the plants twelve hours light and twelve hours darkness to simulate the tropical area they come from and they should do well. Remember if you go for a deeper tank over 15" then you will need more powerful lighting.
2.5 gallon tank is not very big if you want to grow plants I would go for at least a 25 gallon tank
additional imformation
Java fern , wide leaves and does not need excessive light
Java moss, small leaves and clings to rocks and logs good cover plant.
Amazon sword long broad leaves and likes lots of light
Dracena, long spikey leaves.woody plant grows well, many different varieties, dark green verigated and red leaves.
Elodea densa. quick growing oxygenator, good for live bearer fry to hide in.
Vallisenera. long reed like plants good for deep water. three main varieties. Straight, Twisted and giant.
Try to stay away from floating plants as they grow quickly and block out the light for other plants.

Answer 4

pass away the ring on as bunched flowers stay down. (the gravel gets between the shoots and holds it down) Use a plant nutrition answer to assist root improve. for a pair of weeks. Then they'll locate there very own debry.

Answer 5

I agree with Steve arts answer and magic mans. Java fern is the best I believe from my own experience.