Picking a carpet

PuddlesAqua · 03-04-2013, 03:46 AM

I'm setting up a 30 gallon tank, 30" x 12" by 18" high. I have the option of using 2 X t12, 2Xt8, 2x t5, or 4xt5. I can't use CO2 because I care more about the shrimp that will be in here than the plants, and don't want to possibly gas them or anything. Don't try to convince me, please. Anyway, what kind of carpet plant could I conceivably grow? Small amounts of algae are ok but would prefer not to have lots of it.

I've looked at glosso, but I think that needs CO2. I like Marsila minuta but it grows super slow apparently. Is there a nice mixture of growing moderately fast and not needing CO2?

Kinection · 03-04-2013, 04:20 AM

Marsila minuta grows quite fast in many experiences I've heard. You could try dwarf sag? You need a medium lighting to keep it small though.
Look at the pics on post #14.
http://scapeclub.org/forum/showthrea...816#post195816

**xmas_one** · 03-04-2013, 04:30 AM

Pick shrimp or pick plants.

Yankee · 03-04-2013, 06:39 AM

Minuta doesn't grow slow with CO2. I got about 5 small pinches of it last Monday and now it's almost filled in a quarter of my 10 gallon. Without... I'm not sure. Could try DHG and some mosses. Other than that you're probably not going to get a nice lush carpet that grows extremely quick without CO2 or Carbon supplementation. I'd shun away from glosso unless you want to get some CO2. -- I agree with Xmas... Pick one or the other.

03-04-2013, 04:20 AM	#2
Kinection Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 929	Marsila minuta grows quite fast in many experiences I've heard. You could try dwarf sag? You need a medium lighting to keep it small though. Look at the pics on post #14. http://scapeclub.org/forum/showthrea...816#post195816 __________________ - Brian That one guy that is always online.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

03-04-2013, 03:46 AM	#1
PuddlesAqua Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (7/100%) Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 406	Picking a carpet I'm setting up a 30 gallon tank, 30" x 12" by 18" high. I have the option of using 2 X t12, 2Xt8, 2x t5, or 4xt5. I can't use CO2 because I care more about the shrimp that will be in here than the plants, and don't want to possibly gas them or anything. Don't try to convince me, please. Anyway, what kind of carpet plant could I conceivably grow? Small amounts of algae are ok but would prefer not to have lots of it. I've looked at glosso, but I think that needs CO2. I like Marsila minuta but it grows super slow apparently. Is there a nice mixture of growing moderately fast and not needing CO2?

03-04-2013, 04:30 AM	#3
xmas_one Custom User Title (View User Tanks) PTrader: (7/100%) Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 2,060	Pick shrimp or pick plants.

03-04-2013, 06:39 AM	#4
Yankee Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Oregon Posts: 235	Minuta doesn't grow slow with CO2. I got about 5 small pinches of it last Monday and now it's almost filled in a quarter of my 10 gallon. Without... I'm not sure. Could try DHG and some mosses. Other than that you're probably not going to get a nice lush carpet that grows extremely quick without CO2 or Carbon supplementation. I'd shun away from glosso unless you want to get some CO2. -- I agree with Xmas... Pick one or the other.