plants in a small aquarium...is only gravel okay?

Question

I have a three gallon with about 1/2 an inch of gravel - is that enough for a plant? Or should I anticipate it dying?

Is there anything that will do alright?

Answer 1

There are a LOT of plants that would thrive in that tank! A simple compact fluorescent (the swirly kind that you can find at hardware stores) or a fluorescent tube would be the best way to light it (incandescent is pretty useless), and you would have no trouble growing Java Moss, Java Fern, Cryptocoryne Wendtii or Beckettii, and maybe even a Banana Plant (Nymphoides aquatica). None of those plants are terribly heavy root feeders, though you may want to buy a liquid fertilizer for aquariums (TetraPride and Flourish are common). Leave the light on for 8-12 hours a day, and if you get algae, simple scrape it off. Also, I have found Red Cherry Shrimp to be marvelous at removing algae from delicate plants. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Soop Nazi

EDIT: I think the answer below me was referring to Anacharis, but be careful! This plant will grow like a weed, and within weeks, a few stems could easily take over your 3 gallon tank, leaving little or no swimming room. AND, be VERY careful of plants at chain stores. They often sell terrestrial (land plants) plants that, when kept in aquaria, will rot and pollute the tank, often creating so much ammonia (that is toxic to fish) that it kills them.

EDIT 2: Woops, didn't read the whole question... You will want at LEAST one more inch of gravel if you use Cryptocorynes, but the Moss, Fern, Anubias, and Banana Plant really don't need extra gravel...

EDIT 3: Plants do NOT feed off of algae... They actually compete with algae for nutrients in the tank.

Answer 2

Some plants would work fine with your setup. Anything with a rhizome instead of roots would be good. Examples would be anubias or java fern. You don't want to bury the rhizome. Just weigh it down with some metal plant anchors or tie it to a rock or piece of driftwood. In a few weeks it will attach itself nicely.

If you want rooted plants you can add another pound or so of gravel to bring the level up to about an inch. That should be plenty for most plants. Gravel can be a little tricky with rooted plants because it shifts so easily. If you're careful not to disturb the plants they should be okay.

Answer 3

Depends on what plant you plan on getting. Some plants are hardier then others. If you get an anacharious (idk the spelling) then it would be fine. Other plants such as brazilian sword not so much. You could also get a plant that is in its own container. Remember to give it light also. 8-12 hours.

Different temperature affect it too, but anacharious is the best for whatever temperature, it can also just float. It does need light though. (fish love to eat it too)

The other plants said above would work well btw

Answer 4

I have a 10 gallon and a 5 gallon with plenty of plants in both of them and they seem to be fine just feeding off algae in the tank.But I would put a little bit more rock in their such as 1 to 2 inches

Answer 5

Gravel would be fine unless the plant you want requires a sandy bottom as a substrate.

Answer 6

you could advance any homestead plant with out soil. All you go with is an merchandise mentioned as water crystals. under is a hyperlink with greater tips. And sure, your previous fish bowl could be a suitable field for the homestead plant and the water crystals.